The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts

McElwain-Olsen Preserve

Why You Should Visit
This preserve lies on an east-facing slope in the southeastern corner of the Berkshire Mountains. It was once farmed and pastured as was the case in most of Western Massachusetts, but now supports an upland forest community as well as a portion of Glendale Brook.

Location
Middlefield, Massachusetts

Hours
Open year-round

Size
66 acres

Conditions
Open for scientific, educational and passive recreation. There are no trails.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact our Boston office at (617) 227-7017.

Directions
From Middlefield Center:

Take Bell Road east.
Where Bell Road intersects Arthur Pease Rd., turn left and continue to the Olsen homestead, just north of the cemetery.
Parking is along the shoulder of Arthur Pease Rd.

What to See: Plants
There is a 100-year-old beech forest with white pine and hemlock, a red maple swamp with nannyberry black alder, and several fern species. The ravine that descends into Glendale Brook is covered with a mature hemlock forest and contains the remains of an old mill (access from stream crossing at Cone Hill Rd on north side of the preserve).

What to See: Animals
White-tailed deer, red squirrel, barred owl, ruffed grouse, black bear

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This property was a gift from the Olsen family in 1973.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy continues to preserve the upland forest and brook and the habitat they provide.