Leverett Land Inventory Project

Conducted for:

The Rattlesnake Gutter Trust

And the

Town of Leverett

May 2006

Project Team: Govan Baird Daniel Comerford

David Rines Ryan Robitielle

Patrick Tracey

Department of Natural Resources Conservation

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION …………….…………………………………………………………. Page 3 Project Scope………………………………….………………………….………. 3 The Benefits of this Inventory………….…………...………………….…..…….. 3

BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………………………. 7

The Strysko Land……………………..…..……………………………………… 7 Land Parcels Abutting The Strysko Land…..……..……………………………… 7 Land Location & Directions……………………………………………………… 8

TIMBER INVENTORY……………………. …………………………………………… 9 Timber Analysis…….……………………………………………………………. 9 Definition Key……………..……………………………………………………... 9 Timber Stand Coverage Types…………………………………………………… 10 WILDLIFE & WILDLIFE HABITAT…………………………………………………… 13 Results of Scent Stations…………………………………………………………. 13 Wildlife Database Search.……………………………………............................... 14 National Heritage & Endangered Species Program……………………………… 15 PHOTO GALLERY……………………………………………………………………… 16 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………… 22 Summary of Results………………………………….…………………………… 22 Recommendations…………………………………….………………………….. 23 CITATIONS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………….. 27 APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………. 28 Appendix 1: KRUZER 2003 Timber Inventory Tables Appendix 2: NEWILD and NED Appendix 3: National Heritage & Endangered Species Program Appendix 4: Mass Wildlife Landcover Mapping Decision Rules, December 2002

Appendix 5: The Project Team

MAPS: Map 1: Protected Lands – Leverett, Montague, Sunderland ……………………… 4

Map 2: Land Parcels……………………………………………………………….. 5 Map 3: Cover Type………………………………………………………………… 12

Map 4: NHESP 2005 Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife………………………… 15 Map 5: Robert Frost Trail Proposed Loop………………………………………… 24

Introduction Project Scope During the spring of 2006, students from the Department of Natural Resources Conservation at the

University of Massachusetts, Amherst conducted a resource assessment of open land, comprised of

seven land parcels, totaling approximately 75 acres, located in the Northwest corner of the Town of

Leverett, Massachusetts.

The original scope of the work was to conduct an assessment of a 9-acre parcel (parcel 32 ) of land

owned by Stella Strysko, which was to be possibly purchased by the Town of Leverett as conservation

land through a CPA project.

The Strysko land has since been acquired by the Town of Leverett (town meeting vote: 29April 2006)

and named the Stella and Carroll Strysko Conservation Area. The land was acquired in part to protect

a portion of the Robert Frost Trail where it crosses Route 63 and snakes up to Stoddard Hill.

As work progressed, the team recognized that a greater conservation value could be realized if other

parcels abutting the Strysko property were also protected. The team expanded the scope of its

inventory work to include 6 additional parcels (parcels 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36).

Benefits of this Inventory Overall, there are nine parcels ranging from 3 acres to 24 acres (including the Strysko land and two

parcels, parcels 1 and 2 abutting parcels 29 and 31) that could be candidates for protection. Taken

together, they represent approximately 90 acres of land. An additional 11 acres is represented by a 10th

parcel (parcel 35), which is currently under Forest Tax Law Chapter 61, that could also be a candidate

for protection (see Maps 1 and 2).

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Project Area

Map 1 – Protected Lands Leverett, Montague, Sunderland

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Map 2 – Land Parcels

33

32(Strysko)

36

31 30

29

35

34

Section of Robert Frost Trail (GPS)

1 & 2

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Taken together, the parcels represent a combined conservation value that may represent a whole

greater than the sum of their parts, largely because they could become part of a much larger corridor of

uninterrupted conservation area. These parcels are contiguous to one another and are connected to

100+ acres of Mass Wildlife-owned lands. Putting these parcels under protection would leverage this

and other conserved lands as well, including Mount Toby and Cranberry Pond, which are owned by the

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (see Map 2).

This report provides the results of the UMass team’s work on the Strysko property, as well as six other

parcels representing approximately 75 acres of the craggy western slope of Stoddard Hill.

The team hopes its findings and recommendations will the Rattlesnake Gutter Trust and the Town of

Leverett in any future acquisition endeavors for these parcels for conservation and for managing the

acquired land. This would extend the amount of contiguous open land in this attractive section of

Franklin County that comprises Mt. Toby and Cranberry Pond.

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Background The Strysko Land The nine-acre Strysko land parcel (lot 32), recently acquired by the Town of Leverett as the Stella and

Carroll Strysko Conservation Area, represents a solid foundation for further land acquisition and

protection of open land located off Route 63 in the Northwest corner of the Town of Leverett.

Benefits from the Strysko property purchase include:

• protection trailhead access and a portion of the Robert Frost Trail – part of the Amherst

Literary Trail network;

• conservation of land for potential town recreation use; i.e. hiking, nature study;

• protection of more of the Cranberry Pond and Mount Toby area from industrial or residential

development;

• providing greater habitat and recreation connectivity between Mt. Toby and Mass Wildlife land

on Stoddard Hill,

• extension of open space wildlife habitat from Mass Wildlife owned lands (Stoddard Hill) for

wild turkey, deer, coyote, birds, and other species.

Land Parcels Abutting the Strysko Land The other lands that abut the Strysko property and Mass Wildlife lands represent a patchwork of nine

small parcels ranging from 3 to 24 acres that are contiguous with one another and with the Mass

Wildlife land.

The assessor’s office does not have a record of ownership for parcels 29, 30, 31 and 33 and lists Mass

Wildlife as the owner of parcels 1 and 2. Parcel 35 is listed under M. G. L. Chapter 61 Current Use

Tax Law for forest management. There is little information about parcel 36 and the abandoned

dwelling. Mass Wildlife does not include parcels 1 or 2 in their GIS coverage, which means ownership

of these two parcels is unclear.

Land Location & Directions

The Strysko Property and abutting open land parcels are located in Leverett, Massachusetts, at Route

63 between Jackson Hill Road and North Leverett Road in Franklin County.

Strysko Land

Franklin County is located in the north central region of the State. The land is accessible by foot from

Route 63 and via the Robert Frost Trail.

The nine land parcels together form an area of land that abuts Mass Wildlife-owned lands to the east,

the Leverett-Montague town border to the North, the Leverett-Sunderland town border and Route 63 to

the West and Jackson Hill Road to the South. These parcels are also in close proximity to other lands

protected through conservation restrictions.

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Timber Inventory

The team assessed the land parcels for timber composition, wildlife habitat characteristics, aquatic

features, and terrain. The team marked boundaries wherever possible and the location of the Robert

Frost Trail using GPS. The work was conducted on the land from February through May, 2006.

Timber Analysis The team segmented the standing timber within the Strysko parcel and parcels 29, 30 and 31 into four

different cover type zones by examining orthographic photos for stand density and color (See Map 3).

The team randomly selected sample plots in each of these zones to be surveyed using a GIS map. The

coordinates were loaded into GPS units to guide team members to the plot points for timber sampling.

A Cruise-All was used with a 10 factor at each survey point. The results of a timber cruise like this are

based on basal area and density of all standing timber per acre using the Diameter at Breast Height

(DBH) measure. This is a sampling method and thus is not a complete population survey of the zones.

The team also tallied saw logs and sticks in each tree to give a rough estimation of the amount of

commercial-grade timber on the land. Log heights were recorded in accordance with requirements of

the Kruzer 2003 program used for this analysis. All of the data collected was tallied in the field and

then imported into the Kruzer 2003 tables (Please see Appendix 1 for Cruzer 2003 Tables).

Definition Key The team encountered the following tree species while conducting its timber inventory.

Common Name Botanical name

Red Maple Sugar Maple Yellow Birch Black Birch Paper Birch Eastern White Pine White Oak Red Oak Black Oak Eastern Hemlock

Acer rubrum Acer saccharum Betula alleghaniensis Betula lenta Betula papyrifera Pinus strobus Quercus alba Quercus rubra Quercus velutina Tsuga Canadensis

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DBH: Tree Diameter at Breast Height refers to the diameter of the tree taken at 4.5 feet from the

ground.

Classification Codes: Stands where characterized according to stand composition, class size, and

density class guidelines used by Mass Wildlife (See MassWildlife Landcover Mapping Decision

Rules, December 2002 in Appendix 2)

Stand composition was consistent with all sample areas having a Hardwood Mix (MH) of central and

northern hardwoods. Stand density and stand sized did vary somewhat with larger trees more dominant

in parcels 29, 30 and 31.

Timber Stand Coverage Types

Zone A (MH, 3, A)

Comprised of >25% and <75% Central Hardwood species, e.g. oak, and >25% and <75%

Northern Hardwoods species, e.g. maple. The stand size-class is (3) large pole trees mainly 7-12”

DBH. The density class is (A) high density, >66% canopy closure. This zone is dominated by red oak

and the understory is almost completely covered in very dense mountain laurel.

Zone B (MH, 3, B)

Comprised of >25% and <75% Central Hardwood species, e.g. oak, and >25% and <75%

Northern Hardwoods species, e.g. maple. The stand size-class is (3) large pole trees mainly 7-12”

DBH. The density class is (B) moderate density, 33-66% canopy closure. This zone is dominated by

red oak and birch and the growing conditions are harsh with signs of wind damage.

Zone C (MH, 3, A)

Comprised of >25% and <75% Central Hardwood species, e.g. oak, and >25% and <75%

Northern Hardwoods species, e.g. maple. The stand size-class is (3) large pole trees mainly 7-12”

DBH. The density class is (A) high density, >66% canopy closure. This zone was unusual in that it is

dominated by birch and is more diverse than Zones A and B with red oak, black oak, and red maple

(see table for stand C in Appendix 2). The average DBH was also larger compared to zones A and B.

The understory is dominated by thick mountain laurel.

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Zone D (MH, 3, B)

Comprised of >25% and <75% Central Hardwood species, e.g. oak, and >25% and <75%

Northern Hardwoods species, e.g. maple. The stand size-class is (3) large pole trees mainly 7-12”

DBH. The density class is (B) moderate density, 33-66% canopy closure. Zone D is more diverse than

A and B and is dominated by red oak but also contains red maple, birch, and black oak. This stand

contained the most large saw timber out of all zones. The tree size may be a result of deeper soils and

less exposure to wind because of a more moderate slope.

All Zones Combined (MH, 3, B)

All zones, taken together are generally comprised of hardwoods with >25% and <75% Central

Hardwood species and >25% and <75% Northern Hardwoods species. The stand size-class is (3) large

pole trees mainly 7-12” BDH. The density class is (B) moderate density, 33-66% canopy closure. The

land formations and slope are the most influential factors on growing conditions. The area is

dominated by red oak and is comprised mainly of pulp wood.

Strysko Property (MH, 3, B)

The Strysko land is representative of all zones with a composition of >25% and <75% Central

Hardwood species and >25% and <75% Northern Hardwoods species. The stand size-class is (3) large

pole trees mainly 7-12” DBH. The density class is (B) moderate density, 33-66% canopy closure. The

property is similar to zone B and reflective of all the zones combined. The steep slopes and thin soils

contribute to the harsh growing conditions and probably contributes to greater susceptibility to wind

and ice damage.

Map 3 – Cover Type

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Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat

Three scent stations were set up on Tuesday, April 11 and terminated on Friday, April 14. The three

stations consisted of three-foot circles of exposed soil and a plastic container consisting of putrid

chicken livers (around 8 to 10 ounces) set in the middle of the circle as an attractant. Two of the

locations where chosen due to their high

probability of attracting large mammal habitat

because of their proximity to rock cavities and

outcroppings. The location of the third was

chosen at random. The objective was to

identify animals that are attracted by the scent

by type of foot imprint they leave in the soil.

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The soil on the land is comprised of a dense

organic top layer of decomposing leaves.

Underneath, the team found the soil to be full of roots and rocks and thus hard to manipulate. Best

efforts were made to loosen the soil so that imprints could be more easily detected.

Results of Scent Stations The first two sites showed no visible disturbance or animal activity. However the third – the one that

had been randomly located – showed signs of what was believed to be a fox. There were multiple

footprints in the soil suggesting fox and the plastic container containing the chicken livers had

disappeared – evidently dragged from the site – suggesting a small animal struggling to move it.

Index of Animals Witnessed on Site

1. Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

2. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhychos)

3. Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

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Index of Animal sign Witnessed on Site

1. Common Grey Fox (Uraocyan cinereoargenteus)…….. tracks 2. Common Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum).…………….. skull 3. Woodpecker (Picoides sp.)…………………………….. holes in tree bark 4. White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)................... scat, tracks, and stripped bark

Wildlife Database Search

The NEWILD computer program was used to compile a list of vertebrate species potentially using the

type of habitat found on the Strysko land and surrounding parcels. The search was conducted to

included species that utilize this type of habitat as well as species that prefer this type of habitat.

Out of 338 species of animals contained in the NEWILD computer program database, 104 species

surfaced as ones that either prefer or can utilize the habitat type found in the project area. There were 5

amphibians, 3 reptiles, 64 birds and 32 mammals (see Appendix 2 for NEWILD details).

List of Wildlife species based on Stoddard Hill area habitat

The U = species that utilize this type of habitat; P=species that prefer this type of habitat

American Kestrel (U) Bald Eagle (U) Barred Owl (U) Bay-breasted Warbler (U) Black-and-white- Warbler (P) Black-backed Woodpecker (U) Blackburnian Warbler (U) Black-capped Chickadee (U) Black Bear (P) Black-throated Blue Warbler (P) Black-throated Green Warbler (P) Bobcat (U) Boreal Chickadee (U) Broad-winged Hawk (P) Brown Creeper (P) Brown-headed Cowbird (P) Canada Warbler (U) Cape May Warbler (U) Cenulean Warbler (U) Chipping Sparrow (P) Common Raven (U) Coyote (U) Downey Woodpecker (P) Eastern Bluebird (U) Eastern Box Turtle (P) Eastern Chipmunk (U) Eastern Hognose Snake (U) Eastern Spadefoot (U) Eastern Wood-Pewee (U) Ermine (U) European Starling (U) Fisher (P) Golden-crowned Kinglet (U) Grey Fox (P) Great Horned Owl (U) Grey Squirrel (U) Hairy Woodpecker (P) Hermit Thrush (P) Hoary Bat (U) House Wren (U) Least Flycatcher (U) Long-tailed Shrew (U) Long-Tailed Weasel (U) Louisiana Waterthrush (U) Magnolia Warbler (U) Marten (U) Masked Shrew (U) Mink (U) Nashville Warbler (U) Northern Cardinal (U) Northern Flying Squirrel (P) Northern Goshawk (P) Northern Parula (P) Northern Redbelly Snake (U) Northern Short-tailed Shrew (U) Northern Saw-whet Owl (P) Northern Spring Salamander (U) Northern Two-Lined Salamander (U) Northern Waterthrush (U) Olive-sided Flycatcher (U) Osprey (U) Ovenbird (P) Pine Grosbeak (U) Pine Warbler (U) Porcupine (P) Prothonotary Warbler (U) Raccoon (U) Red Bat (U) Red-eyed Vireo (P) Red Fox (U) Red-shouldered Hawk (U) Red-spotted Newt (U)

Red Squirrel (U) Red-tailed Hawk (U) Rock Vole (U) Rough-legged Hawk (U) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (U) Rufous-sided Towhee (P) Scarlet Tanager (P) Sharp-shinned Hawk (P) Smokey Shrew (P) Snowshoe Hare (U) Solitary Vireo (U) Southern Bog Lemming (U) Southern Flying Squirrel (P) Southern Red-backed Vole (P) Spruce Grouse (U) Striped Skunk (U) Tennessee Warbler (P) Three-toed Woodpecker (U) Tree Swallow (U) Tufted Titmouse (U) Turkey Vulture (U) Virginia Opossum (U) Wild Turkey (P) Wilson’s Warbler (U) Winter Wren (U) White-footed Mouse (P) White-tailed Deer (P) Wood Frog (U) Woodland Vole (U) Wood thrush (P) Worm-eating Warbler (U) National Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP)

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The parcels in the study area

are not currently targeted by

the National Heritage &

Endangered Species Program

(NHESP) as critical for

conservation of rare wildlife

species. However, the

proximity of these land

parcels to NHESP designated

sites means their protection

could encourage a more

stable habitat for all wildlife.

The NHESP places its highest

priority on the approximately

190 species of vertebrate and

invertebrate animals and 258

species of native plants and

their habitats that are

officially listed as

Endangered, Threatened or of

Special Concern under the

Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.

Map 4

Photo Gallery

The team encountered extensive patches of mature Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) over most of the coverage area designated as “zone A” and parts of “zone B”. The density of the Mountain Laurel provides protective habitat for wildlife and protection of the ground from water erosion.

The Mountain Laurel was most extensive in zone “A” some of it reaching 8 feet high in some areas.

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Photo Gallery

One of the running brooks that originates from a spring on Mass Wildlife land.

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Some interesting water features were found on the parcels including several streams and a number of vernal pools.

Photo Gallery

Example of timber stand composition found in zones A and B – dominated by small pole and large pole maple and oak with saw timber sparsely scattered.

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Photo Gallery

Bigger trees were evident in zones C and D with many trees having a DBH of 20” and greater. Although timber harvesting was not the objective of this stand inventory, there are a lot of saw-log quality trees in these zones.

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Photo Gallery

In areas where the Mountain Laurel does not dominate, Eastern white pine (Pinus strobis) and Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) seedlings were evident, along with Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and saplings of oak (Quercus sp.) and maple (Acer sp.). Old decayed trees and nurse logs provide nesting for woodpeckers and red-backed salamanders.

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Photo Gallery

Examples of rock faces and outcroppings encountered on the land

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Conclusion Summary of Results The group found the parcels in good condition with little evidence of human disturbances. The timber

is made up primarily of a central and northern hardwood mix of oak and maple with scattered stands of

white pine and hemlock. The understory is dominated by large patches of mature mountain laurel and

an even spread of saplings of oak and maple and seedlings of pine and hemlock. Highbush Blueberry is

also evident throughout the area.

The soil is mainly thin and rocky with rocky outcroppings on sloping terrain; probably caused by

glacial activity many thousands of years ago. Thicker soils were encountered in the flatter upper

regions of the study area where larger trees with DBH of 20” and greater were encountered. Although

many of these larger trees are of commercial timber quality, land access and the widely dispersed

nature of these trees may make any timber harvesting efforts uneconomical. However, there is

evidence of timber harvesting on land farther north of the study area.

The land has several aquatic features including streams that run from the Stoddard Hill summit down

toward Cranberry Pond. Although none of the streams appear to run directly into Cranberry Pond, this

land is likely to be an important part of the watershed that helps preserve the pond’s water quality.

Several vernal pools were found on the land, although none of them are currently registered with the

NHESP as Certified Vernal Pools (See Appendix 5).

The land is on the Western slope of Stoddard Hill and offers a range of habitat based on soil

conditions, understory plant species, terrain, and possibly, elevation. The land, when combined with

the Mass Wildlife land (Stoddard Hill) offers habitat for a wide range of animal species. The Robert

Frost Trail winds its way through three of the land parcels and reaches a crest with good viewshed

potential.

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Recommendations

The parcels occupy an attractive sloping area abutting other protected lands. Protecting them will bring

multiple benefits to the natural habitat and greater protection to surrounding open lands.

Protection of these properties will further protect the Robert Frost Trail, which, in addition to crossing

the Stella and Carroll Strysko Conservation Area, snakes through Parcels 33 and 34 as it winds its way

up to Stoddard Hill. From the data compiled, we have developed some recommendations for utilizing the Strysko property

and the surrounding Leverett land. While there are many possibilities for utilizing the land the

following are some examples:

Because timber harvesting may not be economical due to land access and timber density reasons, the

team believes recreation will be the main human use of the land and management could be planned

accordingly. Safety is a main priority and, as identified, the parking is the main safety issue. Trail

maintenance can also prevent washouts and erosion. Overall the area shows promise and would be a

valuable asset to the Town of Leverett.

Proposed Robert Frost Trail Loop A portion of the Robert Frost Trail, a 40-mile footpath in the Pioneer Valley, runs through these

properties. Although the path offers steep and varied terrain and the potential for nice views, it lacks a

loop return path. Currently, those wishing to hike, beginning at Rt. 63 entrance, must return by the

same path. A loop trail could make for a more interesting return trip and provide an option that would

allow hikers to enjoy a 30 to 45 minute hike through changing forest cover and nice vistas. From the

summit of Stoddard Hill, within the Mass Wildlife property, a new trail could be blazed in a NW

direction. Following a stream, the path could gradually lead down slope towards the high-tension

power lines. From there it could follow the lines to the original starting point.

In addition, a small parking/camping area could be constructed at the Route 63 trail entrance where the

abandoned dwelling now stands, that would provide town residents and visitors a safer place to park

their cars. It could also serve as an information resource for those wishing to learn more about the

Robert Frost Trail, Mt. Toby, etc.

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Map 5 – Suggested Robert Frost Trail Loop

A suggested loop trail is depicted in Map 5 in blue. After following the Robert Frost trail to the top of

Stoddard Hill, hikers could branch off to the North to follow the ridge, before turning back West down

toward the power lines and then finally walking south along the power line ROW back to the

beginning at Route 63. This would be a relatively short hike and should not take more than two hours

for novice hikers. However, with increased wear on the trail, some erosion control would be

recommended. This may be as simple as placing slightly angled logs across the path to divert water

from running down the trail and washing it out.

Vistas

It may be possible to create overlooks along the trail. Some spots have great views of Mt. Toby and

the surrounding area - most notably where the trail first levels off - and also at the top of Stoddard Hill.

However, visibility is reduced when the leaves are on the trees. A management option could be to

conduct a vista prune, which entails the selective removal of trees and branches to create some

visibility, while leaving enough growth so that the view point appears natural. Vista pruning has

proven to be a low impact method and is it is further recommended that the cut down trees are left to

decompose for habitat value. Another possibility could be the placement of an interpretive signs along

the route, including ones located at vistas describing the visible land features, species to look for, forest

composition, etc.

Parking

The parking in the Robert Frost trail is limited and somewhat dangerous along route 63. The 3.3 acre

house lot at the base of the Robert Frost Trail appears to be abandoned and it was not clear what

Leverett plans to do with the property. It would be the perfect size for a small parking area and

perhaps and information office, and would provide direct access to the trail.

Adjoining Parcels

Protection of land parcels 1, 2, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, and 36, which surround the Strysko parcel and abut

the Leverett-Montague town border, will not only preserve the continuity of natural habitat and

leverage adjoining Mass Wildlife Protected lands but also protect the natural feeling and attractiveness

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of the Mt. Toby area. An uninterrupted corridor will help sustain species migratory patterns and

contributes to habitat biodiversity and stability.

Hunter Access

If desired, this area could be used for hunting during the proper seasons. Posted warnings and

regulations would be necessary to alert hunters of the presence of other recreational users and, in turn,

to warn other recreational users about hunting season.

Unidentified Parcels

We found conflicting information regarding two northern parcels (parcels 1 and 2), which border

Montague and Sunderland. These two parcels are recorded by the Leverett town assessor’s office as

being owned by Mass Wildlife, while Mass Wildlife’s boundaries do not appear to include these lands.

Further investigation would be needed to sort out ownership of these two properties. If these lands are

consolidated, it could be a continuous area of around 90 acres of conservation land added to the town

of Leverett.

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Citations and Acknowledgements

1. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581 Phone: (508) 792-7270 ext. 200, Fax: (508) 792-7821 natural.heritage@state.ma.us

2. Thomasma, Scott A., Thomasma, Linda Abel, Tewry, Mark J., NEWILD Computer Program. General Technical Report NE-242. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Designed to assist in the access of the Species/Habitat matrices developed by Richard DeGraaf, Deborah Rudis, Mariko Yamasaki, William Leak, and John Lanier. http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/burlington/ned/newildhome.htm

3. Mass Wildlife, Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd Westborough, MA 01581 Tel: (508) 792-7270 Fax: (508) 792-7275 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/

4. Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS)

251 Causeway St., Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 626-1238 http://www.mass.gov/mgis/

5. Franklin Regional Council of Governments\

425 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01301 Phone (413) 774-3167 http://www.frcog.org/

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Appendices Appendix 1: Kruzer 2003 Timber Inventory Tables Appendix 2: NEWILD and NED Appendix 3: National Heritage & Endangered Species Program Appendix 4: Mass Wildlife Landcover Mapping Decision Rules, December 2002 Appendix 5: The Project Team

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The Project Team

Dan C. – in action

Govan B. – considering our next option

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David R. - Ayuh, you found me

Ryan R. – now THIS is a tree!

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Patrick T. – keeping score

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