Dear Massachusetts Supporters of the Old-Growth Forest Network,
I will be visiting Massachusetts soon and hoping to see many of you there.
Here are some of the details:
On Sunday, April 29 at 1PM I will be visiting the beautiful Ice Glen in Stockbridge, MA. This forest has been nominated as a possible representative of Berkshire County for our Network. Let’s see it up close and learn why this might be a great forest to include.
The Ice Glen is a glacial ravine in the southeast area of Stockbridge, MA. The sides of the glen are covered with old-stand pine and hemlock. Its north-south orientation protects the glen from much direct sunlight, which in turn has protected the pines from inclement weather. Because of this the pines grow tall and go uncut, and many consider Ice Glen as the most accessible old-growth forest in the state. At the south end of the glen is reputedly the largest Eastern Hemlock in the state, towering some 132 feet tall, 10.2 feet in girth. It may even be the largest in New England.
Location: Ice Glen Rd, Stockbridge MA Directions: After crossing the Goodrich Memorial footbridge at the end of Park Street, proceed over the railroad tracks and up the trail. At the fork (about 1/4 of a mile), take the right and continue over to the glen.
On Monday, April 30 at 7 PM, I will be giving an Arbor Day talk at the Smith College Conference Center – Oak Room -on College Lane. Learn more at this link. I will have my books for sale and look forward to meeting old and new forest friends.
On Tuesday, May 1 at 10 AM, I will be recognizing the Baker Family Public Forest Reserve in Fitchburg, MA as a Community Forest of the Old-Growth Forest Network. Community forests are typically smaller forests located within a town and recognized as a valuable part of the community for the eco-services it provides. These forests are listed in the Community Forest page of the Old-Growth Forest Network website. Public recognition events are important ways to bring public awareness to such local resources and to begin conversations about how to protect as well as enjoy forests in our local communities. Also attending are: Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, Fitchburg City Council President Michael Kushmerek, Fitchburg Deputy Water Commissioner John Deline, and Michael Kellett of Restore: The North Woods. Ralph Baker, of the Baker Family, has worked tirelessly to protect this woodlands. Learn more about this forest here.
I am looking forward to staying with my friends Monica and Bob Leverett while in Massachusetts. I’m sure Bob’s work documenting old-growth forests is familiar to many of you. In 2016 he was presented with a Forest Advocate Award from OGFN for his special place in our community of tree lovers. I hope you have an opportunity to view the film The Lost Forests of New England that he recently played a role in.
Please join me for any of these events. I would love to see you.
And as always, thank you for your donations which make all of this work possible. Click here to donate now.
For the forests,
Joan