Land Protection

Friends help BNRC buy Chestnut Street Reserve
Thanks to the generous support of The Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation and over 100 additional donors, BNRC closed on the purchase of its new Chestnut Street Reserve in Lee on May 15.

Donors conserve scenic mountain and farmland in Alford Conservation in the Alford Valley took two giant steps forward late last year with the help of three generous land­owners and the state’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program.

Rising Mill purchase to benefit wildlife, walkers, boaters
After several years spent cultivating relationships with the Fox River Paper Co., and another year spent anxiously awaiting the results of its funding application, BNRC was delighted to learn in March that it had been awarded a grant of $261,000 to purchase approximately 161 acres

Programming

Horizons Program benefits BNRC’s outreach The Resources Council enjoyed the benefits of the Miss Hall’s School Horizons Program this year as senior Holly Crane worked with our staff one morning a week to improve outreach efforts.

Dairy crisis threatens Berkshire agriculture
Dairy farming is in crisis in the Berkshires and across Massachusetts. As recently as 1996, 43 dairies operated in the county. By this spring, the census had dropped to 23.

TLC for 15,000 acresNew hiking trails take center stage when it comes to BNRC’s land and conservation restriction management, but Stewardship Manager Bryan Emmett and our annual crew of seasonal John H. Rice Fellows take care of a great many assignments that never find a moment in the spotlight.

Adventures in Stewardship, Part 2 Although many owners of land subject to conservation restrictions find tree houses to be a benign and harmless amenity for their children, BNRC’s stewardship staff generally feels a gnawing worry about these high-profile “improvements.”

Bousquet deal will advance Yokun Ridge conservation
The Resources Council moved one step closer in March to completing its vision of a wholly conserved Yokun Ridge by signing a contract to purchase excess lands of the Bousquet Ski Area in the Town of Lenox.

Basin Pond Trail draws visitors and love letters
We were thrilled to receive the following letter late last fall: Several weeks ago, I led a group on your recently established Basin Pond Trail in Lee.