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  Encroachment Threatens the Midstate.

Each year, continuing development along the trail's corridor pushes the Midstate Trail onto paved roadways. Currently, the Midstate Trail is on approximately 45 miles of public land, 30 miles of private land and 17 miles of roadway. Landowners should realize the value the trail brings to the area and work to keep it off the roadways.

Protected land in Massachusetts is at a premium. Less than 15% of the Commonwealth’s land is publicly owned. Every year, Massachusetts loses over 16,000 acres of open space to residential and commercial development. This development destroys and fragments existing habitat and threatens the long-term conservation of Massachusetts ’ native species and natural communities. As private development continues at an alarming rate, public lands are becoming increasingly valuable for plant and wildlife habitat, recreation, education, research and spiritual renewal. Competing demands on our Forests and Parks are growing and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the ecological resources and quality recreational opportunities remain for future generations.  

 

DCR AND ASHBURNHAM  CONSERVATION                                          TRUST BUY 170 ACRES TO HELP CONSERVE                          MOUNT HUNGER  IN ASHBURNHAM

May 7, 2010

BOSTON – The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Ashburnham Conservation Trust (ACT) recently acquired 170 acres at Mount Hunger, along the Mid-State Trail in Ashburnham, to protect forestland, wildlife habitat, and a popular stretch of the trail.

  The 92-mile Mid-State Trail runs through Worcester County between the Wapack Trail in New Hampshire and the North-South Trail in Rhode Island. Combined, these trails offer 191 miles of greenway hiking. The section of trail that runs through Mount Hunger is particularly well-known for its sweeping landscape views, a rarity for the Mid-State Trail, which primarily consists of interior woodland views. Portions of the property also have been identified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program as a priority habitat for rare species, as the property includes a good mix of upland and wetland habitat.

 

“DCR is pleased to be protecting this important resource in Ashburnham,” said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “This property provides a wonderful opportunity to secure a critical link in the Mid-State Trail and further protect the natural resources found in this area.”

  Gary Howland, executive director of ACT and a consultant with the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, said, “Mount Hunger has been a priority for ACT for the last eight years. We thank DCR for their efforts toward the protection and acquisition of this property, all the volunteers who helped with the ‘shack attack,’ and the previous owners for their care of the land and willingness to make its preservation possible.”

  This acquisition is part of a larger effort by DCR and ACT with the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, the North County Land Trust, and the Nashua River Landscape Partnership to protect priority lands in the Southern Monadnock Plateau. This multi-year effort is being funded by the federal Forest Legacy Program in addition to contributions from state agencies, municipalities, local land trust partners, and landowners. 

 

Protection sought for Midstate Trail

CHARLTON The Town of Charlton is in the process of updating its Master Plan and its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The 8.3 mile section of the Midstate Trail that passes through town has been identified as one of the most important trail connections in Charlton. Due to its scenic, recreational and historic value, the Open Space and Recreation Committee has recognized        the need to more formally protect the trail. Preservation of the Charlton section of the Midstate Trail through easements or other appropriate conservation tools will be included as a goal in the OSRP and the Master Plan. For more information, please contact Karen Gauvin, Chairperson, OSRP Committee at 508-248-2247 or visit www.townofcharlton.net.

 

 


WESTMINSTER — The Westminster Open Space Committee and the North County Land Trust are seeking to protect eight miles of the Midstate Trail that runs through private property in town.

The committee and the land trust want to place conservation restrictions on the trail, protecting it from development. The cost of the restrictions is expected to be covered by state and federal grants.

Only four of the 12 miles of the Midstate Trail is on state or town conservation land.

The North County Land Trust is a Fitchburg-based land conservation group.

"We decided to focus our land protection efforts on the Midstate Trail corridor because of the historic, cultural and recreational significance of the trail," said Janet Morrison, director of land protection for the trust.

 

 


Mike & Stefan Travis

State agrees to buy summit of Mount Watatic...........

 
It's official!  Mt. Watatic is now owned by the State of Massachusetts (DEM and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) and the Ashby Land Trust and the Ashburnham Conservation Trust.  

 

 

Great News.....Thanks to all those who helped. And good for the state to finally act on preserving this wonderful resource. 

towers on Wachusett
This is what the summit of Watatic could have looked like.

 

Leave No Trace means traveling and camping with care, deliberately planning, and guiding one's actions so as not to harm the environment or disturb others.

 

Massachusetts Forests and Parks in Crisis!

Although Massachusetts is the sixth smallest state in the nation, it has the ninth largest forest and park system in the country, making the state an especially attractive place to live. More than 12 million visitors a year seek out Massachusetts' forests and parks to bring mental and physical health to their lives, enjoying swimming holes and fishing streams, sunsets and wildflowers, quiet hikes, and peaceful bird-watching.

 

Lack of funding and a decreasing number of staff working to accommodate an increasing number of visitors have placed Massachusetts forests and parks in jeopardy. Specifically:

  • Chronic misuse of parks and damage to natural resources are occurring as a result of inadequate staffing.
  • Deteriorating facilities, owing to a $100 million backlog in routine maintenance and infrastructure improvements, potentially jeopardize public health and safety.
  • Shrinking visitor services  like parks closing earlier in the year, school programs being cut, fewer lifeguards on duty have led to a cut in services that the good people of Massachusetts do not deserve. 

 


Contact your state legislator and let them know how you feel on this issue. 

http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm

If you would like more information, e-mail Don