Four weeks before the real Mother’s Day rolls around, a bunch of local environmental organizations are leading an online giving day to honor Mother Earth.

Give Back to the Land Day on Tuesday, April 22, brings together five organizations to benefit from a 24-hour donation period to raise awareness about and funding to support the region’s conservation needs. The event, led by Franklin Land Trust, Hilltown Land Trust, Kestrel Land Trust, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and the Connecticut River Conservancy, is meant to highlight the importance of protecting the region’s ecosystems — forests, meadows, wetlands and waterways.

“Every year it gets stronger and stronger and has a greater impact. The land gives us so much,” said Emma Ellsworth, executive director of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust. “It’s really our day to say, ‘Thank you.’”

More information is available and donations can be made at givebacktotheland.org. Funding will support land conservation, trail-making, invasive species removal, advocacy for climate legislation, education events and more. Ellsworth said donated money is often used to purchase conservation restrictions, purchase land for conservation and pay staff. Mount Grace has conserved 39,000 acres over the past 39 years.

“Every dollar given to us makes all that conservation possible,” Ellsworth said, adding that 88% of her organization’s funding is local.

Sebastian LaMontagne, Franklin Land Trust’s communications coordinator, said the goal is to raise $62,500 collectively.

“We all do fundraisers under this shared banner of the day, and it’s a way to promote our work in the region and sort of reach people with our message,” he said.

LaMontagne mentioned his land trust will hold a cleanup of the Guyette Farm property in Plainfield on April 22.

“This is the best way to appreciate the land and area you love,” he said.

LaMontagne mentioned Cheryl Patterson is offering a $10,000 matching gift to Franklin Land Trust in memory of her wife, Lorraine Hart.

Ellsworth said donations are more important than ever, citing budgets cuts by the Trump administration.

“It’s going to come down to local action,” she said. “We can’t rely on the federal government to do it for us. We’ve got to step up to do it.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.