Description
Why You Should Visit
The preserve protects Gobble Mountain, a well-known local landmark at the western edge of Hampden County. The property rises in elevation to 995 feet and includes gently sloping to very steep eastern facing forested slopes overlooking the West Branch of the Westfield River. The upper western portion of the property has likely never been cleared for agriculture.
Why TNC Selected This Site
The Westfield River watershed of the Connecticut River provides unique conservation opportunities based on the combination of intact forests and high-quality rivers and streams. This area offers one of the last and best opportunities for large-scale forest and aquatic system conservation in southern New England. The Nature Conservancy’s goal is to conserve the integrity of these forests and rivers both to protect the Connecticut River watershed as well as provide connectivity to other forested habitats in the Appalachians.
What TNC Has Done/Is Doing
Since 2004 when the property was protected, TNC has focused on preserve maintenance to protect this intact multi-aged forest.