The Berkshires (locally /ˈbɜːrkʃɪərz, -ʃərz/) are a highland geologic region located in the western parts of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The term "Berkshires" is normally used by locals in reference to the portion of the Vermont-based Green Mountains that extend south into western Massachusetts; the portion extending further south into northwestern Connecticut is grouped with the Connecticut portion of the Taconic Mountains and referred to as either the Northwest Hills or Litchfield Hills. The Berkshires were named among the 12 Last Great Places by The Nature Conservancy.