This map illustrates the area in Blandford recently recently acquired by DCR.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
BLANDFORD — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced on Feb. 25 the acquisition of 218 acres of forested land in the town of Blandford, which will now be permanently protected.
The land acquisition, located west of the Chester-Blandford State Forest, strengthens the connection between existing conserved properties.
The acquisition marks the latest phase of the Blandford Cross-Pike Nature Connector, a conservation initiative led by the global environmental nonprofit The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with DCR and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to conserve land that fills gaps between larger blocks of protected conservation land along this section of the MassPike.
“This project strengthens an important wildlife corridor for the region and protects the biodiversity that make(s) our forests resilient,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “By conserving this land, we are safeguarding important habitat, supporting species movement, and reinforcing the natural systems that sustain clean water, healthy forests and vibrant ecosystems for generations to come. We are grateful to our partners at the Nature Conservancy and Department of Fish and Game for their collaboration in protecting this important landscape.”
In the first phase of the initiative, The Nature Conservancy purchased 580 acres of land in July 2025 from a private seller with the intent to sell the land to DFG and DCR for preservation.
The Feb. 25 announcement of the 218 acres acquired by DCR is a portion of that original property. The property was acquired through DCR’s Land Protection Program, which is dedicated to conserving land integral to protecting wildlife, conserving natural and cultural resources, and providing recreational opportunities to the public.
A portion of the land had been part of a former Christmas tree farm. Today, the area is primarily forest, largely populated by sugar maple, hemlock, birch and ash trees. The land also features rocky streams, which contribute to the water quality of Sanderson Brook and the Westfield River further downstream. DCR staff have found numerous signs of wildlife on the land, including deer, moose, turkeys and bears, according to the announcement.
The Nature Conservancy has an agreement to transfer the remaining 362 acres of the property to the Department of Fish & Game while keeping an easement over a portion of it to help facilitate upgrades to culverts and other structures, like fencing, to protect motorists and wildlife along that stretch of the MassPike, according to Richard Cavanaugh, TNC Land Protection Manager.
“There are many land and water features in this area that justify this investment and that will help a myriad of species. The Blandford Cross Pike Nature Project area is located entirely within the Westfield River watershed, an area that offers one of the best opportunities for large-scale forest and aquatic system conservation in southern New England due to the abundance of intact forests and high-quality rivers and streams,” Cavanaugh said, pointing out that there are four brooks there that are important because they are used by reproducing coldwater fish to meet one or more of their life history requirements.
“Protecting the upland areas of the property will not only support numerous game and non-game wildlife species but will also support active forest management activities and the creation of young forest habitat opportunities. In particular, it is prime habitat there for New England cottontail, which is currently threatened by habitat loss due to development and forest succession, as well as competition with Eastern cottontail,” Cavanaugh added.
Blandford Town Administrator Cristina Ferrera said the town was supportive of the purchase, and according to a DCR spokesperson, wrote a letter of support for the project in the grant application.
“Land is a finite resource; it is the one asset that cannot be replicated or replaced. Blandford is a beautiful rural community, and opportunities to permanently preserve its natural landscape are both rare and highly valued. The acquisition aligns with the community’s long-standing commitment to protecting its rural character and environmental integrity,” Ferrera said.
She said the land will be available for passive recreational purposes, providing residents and visitors with expanded access to natural open space. “As increasing amounts of land in the region are developed for commercial energy and solar projects, the availability of undeveloped land for public enjoyment continues to diminish. Having a substantial and permanently protected area available for passive recreation enhances its overall value to the community,” Ferrera said.
“Beyond recreational benefits, the preservation of this land supports ecological diversity, protecting fields, forests, water resources and wildlife corridors. It provides both environmental and community benefits, reinforcing Blandford’s identity as a rural town committed to conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources,” she added.
Asked about the tax impact of the purchase, Ferrera said while it is true that state-owned land can reduce a municipality’s taxable base, any change in revenue, positive or negative, is felt in a small town. The town will receive payment in lieu of taxes from the DCR for the priority.
“That said, this should be viewed as a balanced tradeoff rather than a simple loss. If the land was previously classified as farmland, its tax contribution may already have been limited. More importantly, the community gains permanent protection of a significant tract of land,” Ferrara said.
“One reason TNC is pleased to have plans to transfer the property to its state partners is that the town will receive PILOT payments from the state,” said Cavanaugh.
Asked how much state-owned land is in Blandford, Ferrera said based on the data she could find, there are approximately 2,958 acres of land in Blandford that are state-owned and managed by agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game. She said that acreage makes up about 9% of Blandford’s total land area. “This only reflects land that is explicitly state-owned,” she said, and not other permanently protected land such as the watershed area.
“Blandford residents have made their priorities clear through votes and public engagement; they wish to protect the town from overdevelopment, particularly large-scale commercial energy projects. Preserving this acreage ensures that it remains protected in perpetuity and is accessible for passive recreation. In that respect, the acquisition reflects and honors the expressed will of Blandford voters to safeguard the town’s landscape and rural character,” Ferrara said.
All of the agencies involved said the land will be open to the public for recreation. Cavanaugh said while there are currently no formal trails or parking areas there, “Both DCR and the DFG make their land holdings open to the public, which is another reason The Nature Conservancy is pleased to partner with them on this project.”
