Manuel F. Correllus State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manuel F. Correllus State Forest |
|
|---|---|
 Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
Location in Massachusetts
|
|
| Location | Edgartown, West Tisbury, Dukes, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 5,215 acres (21.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Established | 1908 |
| Governing body | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Manuel F. Correllus State Forest |
The Manuel F. Correllus State Forest is a large state forest located on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. It's mostly found in the towns of West Tisbury and Edgartown. This forest is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, a group that helps protect natural areas.
Contents
Discovering Correllus State Forest
This amazing forest covers about 5,100 acres (that's over 2,000 football fields!). It's a popular spot for outdoor activities like biking and hiking.
Bringing Nature Back to Life
Correllus State Forest is right in the middle of Martha's Vineyard. It's part of a huge project to bring back the forest's original ecosystem. This means helping native plants and animals thrive again.
What Kinds of Nature Will You See?
The forest is part of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion. This special type of environment includes different landscapes:
- Open grasslands
- Low-growing heathlands
- Pine barrens (areas with sandy soil and pine trees)
- Thick woodlands
The main trees you'll see are Oak and pine. Many rare plants and animals also call this forest home.
A Look into the Forest's Past
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest has a very interesting history, going back over a hundred years.
Saving the Heath Hen
The forest was created in 1908. Back then, it was called the "Heath Hen Reserve." Its main goal was to save the heath hen. This bird was a type of grouse that lived in the pine barrens of New England. Sadly, by 1938, the last heath hen disappeared from the forest. The species then became officially extinct.
How the Forest Got Its Name
Later, the forest was named after Manuel F. Correllus. He was the superintendent, or manager, of the forest for many years, from 1948 to 1987.
Forest Fires and Restoration Efforts
Even though much of Martha's Vineyard was cleared for farms long ago, a lot of Correllus State Forest remained untouched. However, due to natural events like forest fires, it's not considered an old-growth forest (meaning it hasn't been undisturbed for a very long time).
Fires have been a big challenge in the forest. Between 1867 and 1929, there were sixteen large fires, each burning over 1,000 acres. To help prevent future fires, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) started working with the University of Massachusetts in 2003. They are finding ways to control the amount of "fuel" (like dead trees and dry plants) in the forest.
Controlling Fuel Sources
Some of the methods they use to reduce fire risk include:
- Thinning out groups of pitch pine trees.
- Mowing down thick shrubs under the trees.
- Even using sheep to graze and eat new plant growth!
In 2008, about 110 acres of dead red pine trees were removed. This helped to reduce fire danger and restore the natural pine-scrub oak areas.
World War II Connection
During World War II, a naval air facility was built inside the forest. This facility is now known as Martha's Vineyard Airport. The state donated the land to the United States Navy for this important purpose.
Fun Activities and Things to Do
Correllus State Forest is a great place to explore the outdoors!
Trails for Everyone
The forest has about 14 miles of trails. These trails are perfect for:
- Hiking
- Bicycling
- Horseback riding
- Cross-country skiing (in winter)
Hunting Opportunities
For those interested, restricted hunting is also allowed in certain areas of the forest.
