Fernside

It’s no secret that the Appalachian Trail (AT) is grand and iconic, especially for the 3 million people across New England that flock to its path. Whether a day hiking adventure, or a trip of a lifetime that spans end to end, it’s undisputed why the AT has earned its national designation. But even in all its grandeur, the iconic landscapes that make this trail truly unforgettable are still at risk.

Enter: Trust for Public Land. We’ve identified over 26,000 acres that must be protected to maintain and enhance the Appalachian Trail experience for the millions of hikers, campers, and visitors who enjoy the trail each year—and our work at Fernside is no exception.

With our partners at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, we helped protect 194 acres along the AT within the historic Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District. Established in 1792, this place was the smallest community founded by Shakers arriving from Europe. Today, the landscape offers a glimpse into Massachusetts’ history and lies within the unforgettable views of the Appalachian Trail.

Our work here builds upon previous successes in this area—helping expand Beartown State Forest by 260 acres in 2022 and then preserving 194 acres of forestland between Tyringham Valley and Tyringham Cobble—meaning this landscape can continue to be an important buffer to the AT, preserve the climate resilient landscape, and ensure the Tyringham Shaker Settlement Historic District remains a cultural, recreational, and economic asset of the Tyringham community.