Trees Coming to Lake Mansfield!

September 30th, 2024 : Community Action and Resiliency  - Christine Ward 

The next steps for improvements at Lake Mansfield will include a number of plantings aimed at strengthening the habitat with native trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Currently, staked signs mark the location of trees to be planted in October as the final phase of the improvement work contracted by the town in the Lake Mansfield beach area. Shoreline plantings of  native “tubelings” will also be included in this work phase which will begin to address the rehabilitation of disturbed soil between the lake and the new pedestrian way. 

On November 9th,  Helia  Native Nursery and GBLC will lead community volunteers in improving forest resiliency east of the new beach area parking lot. Trees donated by Helia through Helia's Carbon Offset Program will allow folks to offset annual carbon use by purchasing trees planted in protected areas. 

Trees donated by Wards Nursery and Garden Center will be included in this fall’s efforts as we work to bring much needed shade to the shoreline area.

Volunteers are needed! Saturday November 9th (9am-Noon) Join in this joyful day of  habitat improvement. We will be working at planting over 100 tree saplings along with 90 shrub plantlings that have been grown on from cuttings by Helia harvested along the shoreline in the spring, as well as the planting of trees and shrubs along the forest edge. If time and energy allows , we will also be removing invasive species  in our ongoing efforts to support a healthy lake and forest habitat.

GBLC is excited to coordinate and collaborate this conservation effort at Lake Mansfield as part of out long-term commitment to engage our community in the ongoing care the outdoor spaces so important to vibrant habitats and community health.

 Lake Mansfield Planting - Volunteer! Saturday November 9th 9AM-12PM

Town Planner, Chris Rembold (center) sites tree stakes to mark out new tree locations with the help of GBLC volunteers Alison and Dale Abrams.

Trees will be planted on October by the Town of Great Barrington in the new greenspace at Lake Mansfield

Trees will be planted on October by the Town of Great Barrington in the new greenspace at Lake Mansfield.
 
Red Maple, Tuliptree, Sycamore, Ironwood, Sourgum, Aspen, Swamp and Burr Oaks are among the trees to be planted.
Red Maple, Tuliptree, Sycamore, Ironwood, Sourgum, Aspen, Swamp and Burr Oaks are among the trees to be planted.
Stakes are in place to designate location and species of trees to be included.
Stakes are in place to designate location and species of trees to be included. 
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Great Barrington Land Conservancy perseveres in decades of efforts to bring native trees to Lake Mansfield.