BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)--Ten land trust organizations and municipalities across the state will be receiving funding for the protection of forest reserves. Several are in western Massachusetts. The grants were awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Acquisitions for Forest Reserves Grant Program. The program was created as part of the Forest as Climate Solutions Initiative, which will set aside 10-percent of Massachusetts forests as reserves, allowing the land to return to its natural state with limited management. Caring Health Center of Springfield receives $100,000 gift from Florence Bank The benefit of permanent forest conservation is to provide wildlife habitats for flora and fauna, and slow the impact of climate change. “Forests are our best natural carbon sinks,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As trees age, they absorb and store more carbon dioxide – crucial in helping us fight climate change. By supporting community and land trust efforts to limit land conversion and increase permanent land conservation, we are preserving forests for generations to come.”  “Few things are more important than protecting our environment, and I'm elated that our state is preserving these beautiful pieces of land in Ashland and around the entire Commonwealth," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I'm grateful to the Healey Administration for dispensing these funds, and I look forward to visiting the expanded town forest."  “As State Representative for the 5th Barnstable District, I am deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for awarding this significant grant to the Bourne Conservation Trust. This $1,051,380 investment will help permanently protect 30 acres of rare pine barrens habitat, expanding the Town Forest and safeguarding a precious ecosystem for generations to come,” said State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R-5th Barnstable). “Protecting our forests is essential to preserving the unique natural beauty of Cape Cod, combating climate change, and ensuring opportunities for recreational and healthy outdoor activities. I applaud the Bourne Conservation Trust and the Town of Bourne for their partnership and dedication to protecting our environment while enhancing the quality of life for our community.”   The following grantees were awarded funding through EEA’s Acquisitions for Forest Reserves Grant Program:  GRANTEE PROJECT NAME PROJECT DESCRIPTION GRANT AWARD Bourne Conservation Trust  Town Forest Expansion  The Bourne Conservation Trust and Town of Bourne have partnered to permanently protect 30 acres of uncommon pine barrens habitat (pine oak habitat) within 470+ acres of protected Town Forest land that supports a network of walking trails.  $1,051,380  Town of Ashland  Ashland Town Forest Expansion  The town of Ashland will permanently protect 52 acres adjacent to the Ashland Town Forest with well-developed walking trails throughout. This purchase will expand the town forest and create a contiguous span of 700+ acres of protected forest within the Sudbury River Watershed. The Sudbury Valley Trustees are partnering with the Town to protect of this oak/hickory forest.$605,750  Trustees of Reservations  Southeastern Bioreserve/ Copicut Wood Expansion  The Trustees of Reservations will permanently conserve 200+ acres adjacent to The Trustees’ Copicut Woods Reservation and the Southeastern MA Bioreserve, a network of 16,000 acres of protected open space in Fall River and Freetown. This forest is important for the protection of drinking water supply, as well as Bread and Cheese Brook, which flows to the Westport River.  This grant will protect a mixed age oak-pine forest with swamps and wetland forest composed of red maple and potentially white cedar.    $580,000  Native Land Conservancy Hawks Nest East Forest Reserve Project The Native Land Conservancy will permanently protect 16 acres in Harwich that will conserve pine barrens habitat and complement DCR’s Hawksnest State Park within the Six Ponds Special District.  This parcel also contributes to a DEP Zone II Wellhead Protection Area.   $500,000  Metacomet Land Trust White Barn Farm Forest Reserve The Metacomet Land Trust will permanently conserve 16 acres of forested land associated with the White Barn Farm, a third-generation family farm in Wrentham.  The forested portion of the property is identified as prime forest land and is adjacent to 200 acres of town-owned open space. $480,250 Kestrel Land Trust  Dudleyville Forest The Kestrel Land Trust will permanently protect 200+ acres of white pine and mixed hardwood forest in Shutesbury designated Critical Natural Landscape and mapped for regional connectivity. This forest will continue to contribute to carbon sequestration and protect several substantial wetlands.  $327,000 Berkshire Natural Resource Council Blue Hill Road The Berkshire Natural Resource Council will permanently conserve 65 acres of forest habitat in the Berkshire-Taconic landscape and the Staying Connected Initiative Berkshire Linkages region; a critical forest linkage within the Appalachian Mountain range. The property is NHESP designated Critical Natural Landscape.  $300,250 Berkshire Natural Resource Council Appalachian Trail Protected Corridor Expansion The Berkshire Natural Resource Council will permanently conserve 110 acres in Tyringham adjacent to Beartown State Forest that will support protection of the larger Appalachian Trail corridor. The property is designated Critical Natural Landscape and supports the Merry Brook which provides a spawning habitat for native brook trout.   $286,275 Mass Audubon Richardson Brook Mass Audubon will permanently protect 275+ acres of designated Critical Natural Landscape that complement Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuary in Tolland. The acquisition of a CR on this property will protect land that adjoins a 1,300 acre corridor of protected land in the Farmington River watershed.  $261,500 Metacomet Land Trust Forest Heights The Metacomet Land Trust will permanently conserve 100+ acres of mixed oak/hardwood/pine forest in Upton  within the Miscoe, Warren, Whitehall Watersheds Area of Critical Environmental Concern and adjoining over 500 acres of permanently protected forested open space. The property is designated forest habitat as well as home to local rare species, including Eastern box turtles and supports several vernal pool obligate species. $220,400 Mass Audubon Taylor Brook Mass Audubon will permanently protect 250+ acres in Tolland near the Richardson Brook property with NHESP designated Critical Natural Landscape and Core Habitat. This CR acquisition will also contribute to a corridor of protected land in the Farmington River watershed. $176,500 Hilltown Land Trust  Middle Branch Hilltown Land Trust will permanently conserve 95 acres of forest along the Middle Branch of the Westfield River in Chester, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. This property is proposed for protection under a CR to permanently protect NHESP designated Rare Species Core Habitat adjoining a corridor of 3,000+ acres of protected forest. $143,000 Town of Easton Keach Land Preserve The town of Easton will permanently protect 15 acres within the Canoe River Area of Critical Environmental Concern and federally designated Canoe River Sole Source Aquifer in coordination with the purchase of adjacent land in the town of Mansfield. This acquisition will create a 75-acre corridor of protected space with mixed-age, mixed oak and white pine forest.   Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs