Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
TypeWildlife sanctuary
Location309 Holmes Rd
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA
Coordinates42°25′43″N 73°13′57″W / 42.42861°N 73.23250°W / 42.42861; -73.23250
Area253 acres (102 ha)
Created1975
Operated byMassachusetts Audubon Society
WebsiteOfficial website

Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is a 253-acre (1.02 km2) wildlife sanctuary located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The sanctuary, managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, is flanked by the Housatonic River on its southwestern border and contains hiking trails suitable for birdwatching, observing other wildlife, and scenic viewing.[1][2] The sanctuary also contains a 4.5-acre (1.8 ha) community garden, from which local residents may rent garden plots measuring 300 square feet (28 m2).[3]

History

The sanctuary was founded in 1975, when Mrs. Cooley Graves Crane donated her Pittsfield estate to the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Early historical documents indicate that the Mohican tribe often landed their canoes along the Housatonic River in this area. This practice was a source of inspiration for Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., who named his nearby summer home "Canoe Meadow" in homage to these activities.[4] The name of the sanctuary also originates from this historical context.[5]

Hiking trails

The sanctuary contains two main hiking trails, each of which is relatively flat.

Sacred way Trail loops through the southwest portion of the sanctuary and is sometimes flooded from heavy rains and beaver activity.[2]

The Wolf Pine Trail forms a loop through the central and eastern areas of the sanctuary. At the trail's eastern point, hikers can extend their journey by following the Owl Trail. This trail expands the Wolf Pine Trail's extent, beginning at one spot on Wolf Pine and rejoining it at another.[2][6]

Projects

The Massachusetts Audubon Society indicates one recently completed as well as one ongoing project associated with the sanctuary.

The first project involved the restoration of flow of Sackett Brook, a tributary of the Housatonic River, by removal of the Sackett Brook dam, which was constructed in the 1930s, artificially blocking the tributary's flow into the Housatonic. The dam was successfully removed and the tributary restored in November 2013.[7][8]

The second project is ongoing and involves cleanup of toxic PCB contaminants from the adjacent Housatonic River and the sanctuary grounds itself.[9] Once initiated, this project is estimated to require 13 years to complete.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary". Massachusetts Audubon Society. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Trails at Canoe Meadows". Massachusetts Audubon Society. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "Community Gardens at Canoe Meadows". Massachusetts Audubon Society. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Dobrowolski, Tony (22 October 2019). "Over time, the 'baronial territory' known as Holmesdale has shrunk". The Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Smith, Thom (19 January 2012). "All quiet at Canoe Meadows". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Canoe Meadows Trail Map" (PDF). Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Sackett Brook Restoration Project at Canoe Meadows". Massachusetts Audubon Society.
  8. ↑ Mayberg, Nathan (10 November 2013). "Removal of Pittsfield's Sackett Brook Dam makes way to return area to 'natural state'". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Housatonic River Cleanup". Massachusetts Audubon Society.
  10. ↑ "Conservation Projects at Canoe Meadows". Massachusetts Audubon Society.
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