Berkshire Natural Resources Council » Category: News

Baldwin Hill

s2admin — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:42:54 +0000

Baldwin Hill has been conserved, and will remain farmland forever!

The Department of Agricultural Resources closed on the purchase of Agricultural Preservation Restrictions on Baldwin Hill Farm (175 acres) and Proctor’s Bel-Air Farm (270 acres) on July 30.

First, thanks to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for its deep investment, and to the Proctor and Burdsall families, who not only kept this land in farming for a combined 154 years, but agreed to take less than appraised value for the APRs.

Those contributions notwithstanding, the projects would not have closed without the generous gifts of over 400 friends and supporters, who provided the “local share” of nearly $400,000 to match the state’s investment.

Lead funding came from the Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation, together with generous gifts from the Prospect Hill Foundation and many private individuals.

Thank you, and keep your eyes and ears open for the celebratory party!

Photos by Jason Houston.

Amanda L'Etoile — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:36:04 +0000

BNRC Spring 2012 Newsletter

Amanda L'Etoile — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:48:29 +0000

BNRC Spring 2012 Newletter

Guided Wildflower Hike @ Stevens Glen

Amanda L'Etoile — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:47:16 +0000

Guided Wildflower Walk with Tierney Rosenstock at Stevens Glen 9am May 5th

Stevens Glen is hidden in the heart of the Berkshires, not far from Tanglewood. A 1 .4 mile, roundtrip, trail will take you over several bridges on the way to a platform with a great view of roaring Lenox Mountain Brook, cascading through the tight confines of the property.

Tierney Rosenstock, a BNRC intern, is a graduate student in the Environmental Studies Master’s program at Antioch University New England. She received her Bachelor degree in Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in May of 201 0. Tierney has 1 0+ years of horticultural experience and is an avid naturalist. She has been botanizing in the Berkshires for seven years and has extensive knowledge of wildflowers.

For more information visit www.bnrc.net or contact Amanda L’Etoile, ALEtoile@bnrc.net or Tierney Rosenstock, trosenstock@antioch.edu

BNRC’s Trail Cam Update

Amanda L'Etoile — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:31:13 +0000

Stockbridge: a raccoon and several coyotes were photographed in the forest nearby a wetland.

Sandisfield: a fisher slinked by and a small herd of deer passed through the riparian cooridor along the Clam River.

Dog-friendly hike!

Amanda L'Etoile — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:01:11 +0000

Monday April 16th 9am, Yokun Ridge South

Do you feel bad leaving Roofus at home while you’re on an organized hike? BNRC will be having a dog friendly hiking event the 3rd Monday of every month between May and September! These hikes are for well behaved, socialized dogs, under voice control. This gives you and your dog some off-leash time without startling other group hikers who may not be so appreciative of your favorite four-legged companion!

Where: Yokun Ridge North (Burbank Trail & Monks Pond)

When: 9am Olivia’s Outlook parking lot

Distance: 3 miles

Check out the trail maps here: http://www.bnrc.net/properties/4_north_yokun_ridge/

Amanda L’Etoile: aletoile@bnrc.net

Constitution Hill Snowshoe Race

nschroeder — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:15:13 +0000

For More information click on link below:

2012 Snowshoe Race

Richard Reinhart, 1928-2011

tames — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:55:33 +0000

Dick Reinhart served as a director of BNRC in the 1980s, at a time when the organization’s future was anything but certain. At one moment of crisis, Reinhart called a meeting of community leaders at the Hilton hotel (now the Crowne Plaza), and wouldn’t let anyone leave until he had gathered $25,000 in pledges to stave off disaster. In 1996, Reinhart called to let us know that one of his favorite places to hunt in Lanesboro might be available for conservation. That tip led directly to the protection of Constitution Hill, a landmark property that not only provides ample hunting and walking options, but also serves as the site of the Constitution Hill snowshoe race and gives back-deck diners at the Old Forge Restaurant a beautiful view. Reinhart remained a great friend of BNRC his whole life. We cherish his memory and send our condolences to his family.

http://bit.ly/rLkJws

BNRC Fletcher Farm

nschroeder — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:49:18 +0000

BNRC Fletcher Farm is currently under contract. We are no longer seeking proposals.

Berkshire Natural Resources Council seeks proposals for the lease or purchase of its 187-acre Fletcher Farm, a former hillside dairy farm in Lanesboro, Massachusetts.

This beautiful farm has 70 acres of field. It includes a house and Quonset-hut storage barn. The land is subject to a permanent Agricultural Preservation Restriction. Other agricultural amenities nearby include farmstands and u-pick fruit operations.

BNRC will consider the proposal that serves the best use of the land while serving the greatest public benefit. Apart from financial considerations, BNRC will consider factors including agricultural program, conservation values, and community benefits.

For the complete bid package, click here: FLETCHER FARM, or call BNRC at (413)499-0596.

Mass DFW and BNRC join forces to conserve Cranberry Pond, West Stockbridge

tames — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:49:52 +0000

We’re very happy to announce that BNRC and the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife recently completed a highly complex and ecologically stunning land conservation project centered around Cranberry Pond in West Stockbridge.

Here’s a link to the state’s press release — cut and paste into your browser if the link is not hot here:

http://1.usa.gov/nCyMFP

Cranberry Pond (foreground) and Crane Lake in West Stockbridge. View is looking south, with Route 41 cutting across lower left corner, Baker Street swooping up the right side, and Mass Pike across the top of the picture. Thanks to Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for creating this image.