IMPORTANT NEWS ALERT: TIMBER SALE CANCELED
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BIOBLITZ 2008 IS ON!: BIOBLITZ 6/20-6/22 - with DCR support!
Check out the official Robinson 2008 calendar! (click image below)

Welcome to the Homepage of Friends of Robinson State Park

Dedicated to saving the unique and rare forest environment of Robinson State Park, located in Feeding Hills, MA

Over 43 native tree species have been identified in the park by experts, which makes it the rarest forest in Massachusetts.More are being found every day, as studies are ongoing. Experts have located and measured a pignut hickory that is the largest in the state. Due to the many tree types in this rare forest, it is expected that corresponding rare and endangered plants and animals common to their shared environment will also be found. Subsequent findings will be posted here as they are made available.

ISA certified arborist Matthew “Twig” Largess has conducted a brief study of the park, and is now dedicated to saving this rare forest in its intact state. You can email him at: largesstree@aol.com, or phone him at 401-423-0508.

This timber sale is also infringing on some Native American sites that were called to be preserved in a 1989 report on the park. That report also states that timber production is not an option for this land. The report states that this area should be an environmental protection zone—a sentiment echoed by the current experts.

Experts who have examined this forest are astounded by it, saying they would have never expected to find this kind of forest in such excellent condition in Massachusetts, particularly near a city. They have stated that there is no viable reason to move ahead with this cutting. While the red pines at the entrance of the park may have issues, they normally die and remain standing, forming a habitat for woodpeckers and other animals. Some close to the road may have to be removed to lessen the risk to autos/pedestrians. Experts liken the need for cutting due to “liability of falling on someone” to the need to hunt every black bear within 30 miles since it “may” bite someone (despite the fact that nobody has been attacked by one since colonial times!).

THE FOLLOWING SLIDE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE EXTENT OF THE PLANNED LOGGING PROJECT. TREES MARKED WITH BLUE ARE TO BE CUT FOR TIMBER SALE. THOSE MARKED IN YELLOW ARE TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR EQUIPMENT, TRUCKS, ETC.

THESE TREES ARE LOCATED IN AND AROUND THE PARK'S MAIN ENTRANCE ON NORTH STREET (ONE OF FOUR AREAS SLATED FOR LOGGING).
(To view slide show, you must have the Flash Media Player, version 8 or higher.)

 

THIS NEXT SLIDE SHOW FEATURES PICTURES FROM A SIMILAR LOGGING PROJECT ALREADY COMPLETED IN CHICOPEE. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ROBINSON!