Topping Farm Conservation Area
This 220-acre property is located in the northwest section of the town. It was purchased primarily because of its significance as aquifer protection land, benefiting the towns of Amherst, Pelham, and Belchertown. Hop Brook and its adjacent wetland bisect a major portion of the property. They recharge a major aquifer that underlies Lawrence Swamp and serves as a public water source for Belchertown and Amherst. The Topping Farm parcel is BioMap Supporting Landscape, buffering and almost connecting two large BioMap core habitats for the Lawrence swamp and the Holyoke Mt. Range. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program's list of endangered and rare species documents numerous species to be found on the site. Two small parking lots are located on Goodell St. and Orchard Rd. for public access and old logging roads traverse the property for hiking.