Nearly 400 acres of land located between two state forests in western Massachusetts was recently conserved.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently announced the acquisition of 384 acres of land in Sandisfield, Massachusetts, located near the southwest corner of the state.
The property is located west of Route 8 along the Farmington River between Sandisfield State Forest and Tolland State Forest. DCR officials said it will be incorporated into DCR’s existing protected forestland.
The acquisition is the latest addition to the Berkshire Wildlife Linkage, a region designated by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) that covers much of western Massachusetts and is home to the most intact forest ecosystem in southern New England. The linkage covers numerous DCR parks and forests and serves as a regional habitat and travel route for species such as black bears, moose, and bobcats.
The property was acquired through DCR’s Land Protection Program, which is dedicated to conserving lands that protect natural and cultural resources, support biodiversity, and provide recreational opportunities to the public. The largely forested parcel includes sugar maple, hemlock, birch, and ash, and lies within the Farmington River watershed.
Officials said many signs of wildlife have been discovered on the property, including signs of deer, moose, mink, turkey, and bear.
