A scenic state forest in western Massachusetts is now 218 acres larger.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently announced it has acquired 218 acres of forested land in Blandford, Massachusetts, west of the Chester-Blandford State Forest. The land will reportedly be added to the state forest, bringing its total area to more than 2,500 acres.
The newly-acquired land was part of 578 acres of land protected by the Nature Conservancy last summer.
Chester-Blandford State Forest is home to two scenic waterfalls—Sanderson Brook Falls, which drops 60 feet into a deep pool, and Goldmine Brook Falls.
The state forest is popular for hiking and mountain biking. Popular hikes include the H. Newman Marsh Trail, which provides spectacular 1,200 foot high summit views across the Westfield River valley. Another popular trail, Boulder Park Trail, is a winding, easy-graded trail past massive boulders.
The acquisition marks the latest phase of the Blandford Cross-Pike Nature Connector, a conservation initiative led by the Nature Conservancy in collaboration with DCR and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to conserve land that fills gaps between larger blocks of protected conservation land along this section of the MassPike.
Prior to its purchase, a portion of the land had been part of a former Christmas tree farm. Today, the area is primarily forest, largely populated by sugar maple, hemlock, birch, and ash trees. The land also features rocky streams, which contribute to the water quality of Saunderson Brook and the Westfield River further downstream.
DCR staff have reportedly found numerous signs of wildlife on the land, including deer, moose, turkeys, and bears.
