ASHFIELD — More than 100 private acres along the border between Ashfield and Hawley were extensively damaged by the ice storm of December 2008. But thanks to a $47,950 MassWildlife Habitat Management grant, the damaged and dying trees of the Taylor Forest can be removed to create a new-growth forest habitat.
The grant was awarded to the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, and it was one of the largest grants given Tuesday by the Baker-Polito Administration. Altogether, the Gov. Charlie Baker administration gave $317,243 in grants for wildlife habitat improvement projects in 13 communities.
According to Gregory Cox of Hawley, program director for the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, the damaged forest is on 110 acres, including a 30-acre wetland, along the Hawley-Ashfield Road.
“We have sought grants in the past to pay for the cost of getting the old trees removed,” Cox said. He explained that the crowns of the old trees have been broken and damaged, and that the trees are slowly dying. They are of no value to foresters and yet they block the sunlight so that new growth can’t take root. He said the tree removal would make it possible to create a habitat for birds and wildlife that feed on berries, sedge and other open-habitat growth.
Cox said the growth of a new forest would take at least 10 years, and that the early growth stages could provide a food source for up to 70 species of birds and wildlife.
“The funds are to pay for the equipment to go in and remove the (damaged trees) that have no market value,” he said.
Cox said the grant was applied in conjunction with the Ruffed Grouse Society, which wants to expand that species’ habitat.
“We are proud to provide municipality, conservation organizations and private landowners the resources necessary to improve habitats for wildlife in need of conservation assistance, while enhancing recreational opportunities for people who enjoy hunting, bird watching and other wildlife-related recreation,” Baker said.