On Friday, May 6th, at 11:00 am, the Town of Stockbridge’s Ice Glen will be formally inducted into the national Old-Growth Forest Network. To celebrate the dedication of this protected forest, a ceremony will be held at the trailhead and Old-Growth Forest Network’s Northeast Regional Manager, Sarah Robb Grieco, will present a plaque to the Town. Following the ceremony, Bob Leverett and Jared Lockwood will lead a trail walk. The rain date for this event will be June 18th.
Ice Glen is a glacial ravine with old-stand pine and hemlock covering its sides. The north-south orientation of the ravine protects the glen from much direct sunlight, which in turn has protected the pines from inclement weather. Because of this, the pines grow tall and go uncut, and many consider Ice Glen to be the most accessible old-growth forest in the state. The crags and crannies of the moss-covered rocks are said to harbor ice and snow into the summer, hence its name “Ice Glen.” At the north end of the glen is a flat rock face with an inscription from the land’s donor, David Dudley Field. At the south end of the glen is reputedly the largest eastern hemlock in the state, towering some 132 feet tall, and 10.2 feet in girth. It may even be the largest in New England.
The mission of the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) is to connect people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. “Connecting people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, native forests”
Founded in 2012 by Dr. Joan Maloof, OGFN has over 150 forests in 28 states. The Ice Glen will be the fifth Massachusetts forest to join the Old-Growth Forest Network.
Maloof states, “We are thrilled to welcome this unique and beautiful forest into the Network as the forest representative for Berkshire County. We want to honor and celebrate the town of Stockbridge for their vision and work in preserving this special forest for generations to come.”
OGFN depends on volunteers in each U.S. County to help identify and induct forests into the Network. Lisa Bozzuto of Stockbridge and Bob Leverett of Florence were instrumental in the dedication process. Interested volunteers are welcome to contact OGFN through https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/
Contacts:
Old-Growth Forest Network: Sarah Robb Grieco, sarahrg@oldgrowthforest.net
Town of Stockbridge Agricultural and Forestry Commission: Matthew Boudreau AFC@stockbridge-ma.gov
