McElwain-Olsen Preserve

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Massachusetts

Black bear and barred owls make their homes in this mature hemlock and beech forest.

Berkshire countryside © Kevin Day / Creative Commons, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinday/2999023585/

About
Visit
Your Comments

McElwain-Olsen Preserve © Tim Abbott

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Open for scientific, educational and passive recreation. There are no trails. View All

Why You Should Visit
This preserve lies on an east-facing slope in the southeastern corner of the Berkshire Mountains. It was once farmed and pastured as was the case in most of Western Massachusetts, but now supports an upland forest community as well as a portion of Glendale Brook.

Location
Middlefield, Massachusetts

Size
66 acres

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This property was a gift from the Olsen family in 1973.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy continues to preserve the upland forest and brook and the habitat they provide.

View Larger Map

Hours
Open year-round

What to See: Plants
There is a 100-year-old beech forest with white pine and hemlock, a red maple swamp with nannyberry black alder, and several fern species. The ravine that descends into Glendale Brook is covered with a mature hemlock forest and contains the remains of an old mill (access from stream crossing at Cone Hill Rd on north side of the preserve).

What to See: Animals
White-tailed deer, red squirrel, barred owl, ruffed grouse, black bear

Things To Do

Open for scientific, educational and passive recreation. There are no trails.

Plan Your Visit

If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact our Boston office at (617) 532-8300.

Directions

From Middlefield Center:

Take Bell Road east.
Where Bell Road intersects Arthur Pease Rd., turn left and continue to the Olsen homestead, just north of the cemetery.
Parking is along the shoulder of Arthur Pease Rd.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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