Bob Wilber, Director of Land Protection
So what is it that makes a given property important to protect? It is often a relatively short list that make it compelling for conservation – the property contains great habitat, is the home of rare species, or is located near already conserved land, as examples. Not surprisingly, the number of reasons to pursue legal protections for a given tract of land is often related to the size of the property – the bigger it is, the greater number of special aspects present.
Occasionally, one gets introduced to a property with a nearly endless list of special qualities. That is the case for a property in northern Berkshire County that we have been quietly working on recently with conservation partners, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation. The property contains extensive limestone geology (botanical diversity), an array of amazing habitats, large numbers of rare species, spectacular vistas, cold water streams, caves inhabited by a number of species of bats, and a sizeable waterfall. Perhaps most significantly, if protected the 1,000-acre+ property would link two designated Habitat Reserves. Habitat Reserves, as you may recall, represent the top ten most intact forested landscapes remaining in Massachusetts. They are the places where plants and animals are projected to have the greatest resilience, as the impacts of Climate Change become more pronounced.
While it is relatively early in the life of this project, I wanted you to be aware of it sooner rather than later. This is simply one of the most compelling land conservation opportunities existing in this state. Stay tuned for more information regarding this very special place in the coming months.
Photo of scenic vista from property in Northern Berkshire County
