Connecticut River Valley Preserves

The Connecticut River is the ecological thread that ties New England together. Floodplain forests, acidic peatlands (bogs), calcium-based wetlands, pine/oak barrens, and steep, rocky cliffs are found along its path all the way from northern Vermont to Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

Hawley Bog Preserve:
In Hawley, 65 acres of unspoiled New England level bog can be found lying within a deep glacial depression. A mat of consolidated peat 30 feet thick floats on the open water and supports an unusual community of plants, including pitcher plants, bladderworts, and rose pogonias. At the periphery of the bog is a wooded swamp with wild iris surrounded by striking stands of hemlock and mountain laurel. The Nature Conservancy owns twenty-five acres of this unique preserve and the remaining acreage is owned by Five Colleges, Inc. (a consortium made up of Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and Amherst Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts). The entire preserve is managed cooperatively by The Nature Conservancy and is used as an outdoor classroom by the Five Colleges.

Visitors to this site are welcome, and it is accessible by automobile. The trail is flat but somewhat difficult due to its extreme wetness. High waterproof boots are strongly recommended. In 1997, volunteers and staff pulled together to complete a 700-foot boardwalk. Partially made from non-toxic recycled plastic, the new boardwalk forms a trail over the floating bog mat. It replaces boards which had been placed directly on the bog mat, which threatened the bog's sensitive community of plants.

Stacy Mountain (Gill):
Stacy Mountain is a scenic mountain preserve of rich forest, cliffs, and vernal pools in the Connecticut River's French King Gorge. This preserve provides habitat for the rare Jefferson salamander and five state-threatened plant species.

In 1997, we purchased 126 acres at the summit of Stacy Mountain, which allows us to protect rare orchids, rock sandwort, and purple cliffbrake, as well as the rare spotted turtle. Also in 1997, a longtime watchman over Stacy Mountain, Fred Chase, generously sold 21 acres of land to the Conservancy at half its appraised value. This important purchase secures one of the final pieces of a land protection puzzle that totals 230 acres on Stacy Mountain.

In 1997 the Conservancy completed a marked trail--steep in places--and visitors are welcome. The site is accessible by automobile and stout boots are a good idea.

Greene Swamp Preserve (Sunderland):
This diverse 81-acre property contains a 10-acre spring-fed cattail swamp as well as interesting rock outcrops on the southern slope of Mt. Toby. It overlooks the Connecticut River Valley and is home to unusual species such as green rock-cress. The mixed oak-hemlock-sugar-maple forest of Mt. Toby and its wetlands are home to rare salamanders, turtles, and many wildflowers, both rare and common, including the autumn coralroot and the trout lily. Mt. Toby is also a refuge for wildlife such as ravens and wild turkeys. It is a wonderful escape for hikers, bird-watchers, and cross-country skiers. In 1997, the Conservancy added 13 acres to the Greene Swamp Preserve. It is open to visitors.

Reed Brook Preserve (Florida):
Reed Brook Preserve protects one of the most unusual bedrock geologic features in Massachusetts, a serpentine outcrop. Serpentine is a grayish-green to dark-greenish-gray rock that has high levels of magnesium and heavy metals like chromium. This outcrop forms a cliff-face running east to west for several hundred yards. It harbors a specialized natural commuity that has adapted to the extremely nutrient-poor harsh soil conditions. The hardy plants in open areas include many unusual plants, such as mouse-ear chickweed and maidenhair spleenwort.

The Nature Conservancy purchased Reed Brook Preserve in 1982 through the generosity of Winifred Irwin Clapp and her family. This 101-acre natural area is nestled in a picturesque hemlock ravine with the brook running down from the west to the northeast to the Deerfield River. Spectacular views of the Deerfield River Valley can be won by climbing the summit trail to the eastern overlook. Reed Brook Preserve's a steep and rocky trail is open to visitors year-round.

McElwain-Olsen Preserve (Middlefield):
A mature hemlock and beech forest harboring a variety of ferns and mosses makes up this 77-acre property. Wildflowers such as wild ginger and Canada mayflower are found on the property. This preserve is open to visitors.

Jackson Swamp (Chesterfield):
This protected area, with its wild, rocky dens and northern hardwood forests, is home to the American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, wood turtles, and many dragonflies. In 1997 it grew to over 400 acres through the generosity of several donors.