Town Forest Expansion, Ashland

Town Forest Expansion Project, Ashland
Town Forest Expansion Project, Ashland

SVT is supporting the Town of Ashland as it works to permanently conserve 52 wooded acres that sit along Winter Street near the Ashland-Framingham line. The conservation of this property will extend the existing Ashland Town Forest/SVT Cowassock Woods conservation area to create more than 700 contiguous acres of protected land.

The Town plans to purchase the Winter Street property from the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ (SNEUCC), and SVT will hold a conservation restriction on the land if the purchase succeeds. In November 2024, Ashland voters approved the project during a Special Town Meeting

We are eager to conserve this land, as its successful protection will

  • expand existing protected forests in Ashland to enhance climate resiliency and protect water resources,
  • protect larger wildlife and habitat corridors, and
  • expand open space for passive recreational use and trail connectivity.

 

Why Protect This Land?

Along with the adjacent Town Forest, the 52-acre property is part of one of the most intact natural areas in Ashland and is rich with healthy wildlife habitats. 

Deer, red and gray fox, coyote, fisher, and a variety of birds including woodcock, warbler, red-tailed hawk, owl, eastern towhee, wood thrush, and pileated woodpecker find habitat here. 

Vegetation on the property includes ferns, jack-in-the pulpit, Canada lily, blue flag iris, sweet pepperbush, spicebush, highbush blueberry, virgins bower, Indian pipes, birds foot violet, shinleaf, pipsissewa, partridge berry, and basswood.

The maturing, second-growth forest has minimal invasive species and consists primarily of oak and hickory trees, some of which are over 100 years old. There are also small tracts of maple, beech, and birch trees, and the northern part of the property includes a large area of wetlands and a small stream that drains into the nearby Framingham Reservoirs and the Sudbury River.  

The forest itself features several large and interesting rock formations that offer potential habitat for bobcat. In addition, a power line easement that cuts through part of the property provides a meadow-style habitat that supports birds such as warblers and bluebirds. 

Public Benefit

The entire 52 acres lie within an Environmental Justice Census block for minority populations, and the protection of the property will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for historically underserved communities. There are already well-developed trails across the property, and a parking area near the easement gate on Winter Street can accommodate at least four cars. With public parking permitted along Winter Street and with two other nearby parking areas, the public should have easy access to the property and the many benefits of spending time in nature.

Project Map