The Alford Land Trust is partnering with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) to conserve 242 acres on the south end of the Tom Ball ridge on the south eastern border of Alford. Residents are invited to learn more about the project at the Alford Land Trust’s annual meeting, to be held on Saturday, September 7 at 10 am at the Alford Town Hall. From the BNRC:
Nestled along the Alford/Great Barrington border is a rare, intact, natural ecosystem along both sides of Tom Ball Ridge; reaching part of Alford Brook to the west, and the shore of Long Pond to the east. These 242 wooded acres are part of a BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape as designated by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Conserving this land will protect habitat for species of concern such as the Wood Turtle and Jefferson Salamander, save the Forest Core on Tom Ball Mountain’s southern climb, and preserve the entire western shore of Long Pond—a source of local drinking water. It will also safeguard some of the most prized local views and the scenic beauty of the area. For more information on this timely project, contact Narain Schroeder at Berkshire Natural Resources Council: 413-499-0596 or nschroeder@bnrc.org.