A Case for Conservation of the Berkshire Taconic Landscape

Along the borders of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York lies one of the most significant landscapes of the Northeastern United States. It stretches across the mountains of three states and laps down into the lowlands of the Housatonic and Hudson Valleys. At its center are 36,000 acres of unfragmented forests of exceptional quality and health, excellent examples of healthy New England forest types. At the feet of the forested mountains lie wetlands of global significance that depend on the mountainous areas for the clean water that sustains them. Within this landscape are many rare individual species of plants and animals, as well as uncommon ecological communities. Comprising approximately 116,609 acres, the entire area still remains relatively undeveloped, despite the fact that it is situated in the heart of the urban Northeast, facing ever-increasing pressure to develop.

Since the decline of both the iron industry and mountain farms in the second half of the 19th century, the Taconic forests have been largely ignored, growing in ignorance of the steadily spreading suburbs that now reach into Dutchess County, NY and may soon move even nearer. Second home development, which started on the mountain just before the turn of the century, has recently accelerated, with land prices for large mountain parcels now exceeding $4,000 per acre. Now is a critical time to protect the key qualities that keep this landscape alive and well, and that keep all of the forests, plants, animals, and people that depend on it alive and well, too.

The conservation opportunity afforded by this landscape is unparalleled. Although many committed individuals and organizations have been working for decades to protect key portions of this landscape in each respective state, most of the remaining unprotected areas are at risk of being intensively developed in the next twenty years. The entire landscape could easily lose its exceptional health and intact systems, despite the fact that much of the area is protected. There is a narrow window of opportunity for TNC to protect these forests for biodiversity conservation, before the pressures of modern society drive them toward other uses.

All of our best efforts and teamwork are needed if we are to seize that opportunity. Like the forests surrounding the granite posts, TNC has committed to ignore state boundaries to conserve this remarkable Last Great Place. By working to fill in protection in critical areas, defending both wetlands and uplands against invasive species and other biological threats, working with human communities to develop an economy that both sustains these unique resources and provides opportunity for residents, and restoring both wetlands and key forest communities, The Nature Conservancy can help achieve the conservation of this remarkable landscape.

We hope you will consider working with us!