Bartholomew's Cobble

Bartholomew's Cobble
Map showing the location of Bartholomew's Cobble
Map showing the location of Bartholomew's Cobble
Location of Bartholomew's Cobble in Massachusetts
Map showing the location of Bartholomew's Cobble
Map showing the location of Bartholomew's Cobble
Bartholomew's Cobble (the United States)
LocationMassachusetts, United States
Coordinates42°3′26″N 73°21′3″W / 42.05722°N 73.35083°W / 42.05722; -73.35083
Established1946
OperatorThe Trustees of Reservations
WebsiteBartholomew's Cobble

Bartholomew's Cobble is a 329-acre (1.33 km2) National Natural Landmark, open space preserve, agricultural preserve, and bio-reserve located in southwest Massachusetts in the village of Ashley Falls abutting Canaan, Connecticut. The preserve contains more than 800 plant species, including North America's greatest diversity of ferns and the greatest overall biodiversity in Berkshire County, Massachusetts; it also contains Massachusetts' highest populations of ground nesting bobolinks.[1][2] It was declared a National Natural Landmark in October 1971.[1]

The preserve includes two rocky knolls for which the property is named (the Cobbles), as well as floodplain along the Konkapot and Housatonic Rivers, working hayfields and pastures, meadows, and 1,000-foot (300 m) Hurlburt's Hill, an open hilltop with a panoramic view of The Berkshires, the Taconic Mountains, and the Housatonic River Valley. The property has been owned and managed by the non-profit conservation organization The Trustees of Reservations since 1946. Hiking trails and an interpretive center and museum are located on the preserve. Rangers and staff lead guided canoe trips on the Housatonic River in season.[2][3]

  1. ^ a b NPS NNL Summary
  2. ^ a b Bartholomew's Cobble Brochure, 2002 edition. The Trustees of Reservations.
  3. ^ Bartholomew's Cobble website Retrieved June 30, 2021.