[at-l] Good wilderness news in MA

[Raphael Bustin]

 From today's Boston Globe (online) --

State, environmentalists announce forest development plan

September 21, 2006

EGREMONT, Mass. --State officials and environmental advocates on Thursday 
dedicated thousands of acres of woodland as areas that will be allowed to 
develop into old growth forests.

The creation of nine large forest reserves in the Berkshires and central 
and southeastern areas of Massachusetts is part of the state's plan to 
create a sustainable forest management program to protect long-term forest 
health.

The new reserves were announced in Egremont at the Mount Washington Forest 
Reserve.

"These reserves are part of a comprehensive management strategy for 
state-owned forestland that strikes a balance between sustainable working 
woodlands, recreational opportunities, and habitat conservation," said 
Wayne Klockner, the state director of The Nature Conservancy, which worked 
with the state's Environmental Affairs office to create the reserves.

The nine reserves -- which contain the most intact forests in the state -- 
range from 800 to 11,000 acres each, and total about 50,000 acres. A number 
of smaller reserves still being identified throughout the state will take 
up an additional 50,000 acres of protected forest.

The reserves will allow hiking and non-motorized recreation and focus on 
removing invasive species and restoring any lost habitats.


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rafe b
aka terrapin