Conservation Restriction Placed on Forested, Western MA Mountain

Officials have placed a conservation restriction on a forest covered mountain in western Massachusetts marking the largest private land conservation deal in the state in nearly a century. WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports…

The conservation restriction on 3,500 acres of Brushy Mountain in the towns of Leverett and Shutesbury allows forestry operations to continue, but conserves wildlife habitat and will provide recreational access to the public on what was previously private land.

The land was acquired for almost $9 million with $5 million coming from a US Forest Service grant secured by Congressman John Olver. 

Governor Patrick, joined federal, state, local officials and conservationists Tuesday to dedicate the conserved forest in honor of Paul C. Jones, the deceased 8th generation leader of the land company that had owned the parcel.

Paul Tuthill, WAMC News.