Bartholomew's Cobble

IUCN Category V - Protected Landscape / Seascape

The visitor center of the protected area

Bartholomew's Cobble ( German Bartholomew's stones) is an existing since 1946 and 329 acres (1.33 km ²) large, as a National Natural Landmark registered nature reserve near Sheffield in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts in the United States. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset for the public - but some for a fee - accessible.

History

Up to 1,000 ft ( 304.8 m) towering landscape, in geological terms it is a disruption, was created by an uplift. 500 million years ago was at this point an inland sea, which is why numerous fossils can still be found in the ground today. With the formation of the Taconic and Berkshire Mountains, the various strata were pushed upward and to the side so that the bedrock was open. Over the millennia the today's landscape has evolved.

The area was named after George Bartholomew, who acquired it in the late 19th century and used for agricultural purposes. Previously it was a part of the more than 3,000 acres ( 12.14 km ²) extensive estates of John Ashley, whose former house can be visited as a museum today. 1946 acquired the Trustees, the first parts of the area and built the sanctuary in the following years and decades, gradually expanding. Finally, a further section was added in 2000.

Sanctuary

Biodiversity

The rock of the protected area consists mainly of quartzite and marble, making the soil is highly alkaline and an unusually diversified plant diversity provides habitat. To thrive in the protected area the most different species of ferns throughout North America, just as there is the biggest Canadian black poplar of the state. This biological diversity meant that the reserve was recorded in 1971 as a National Natural Landmark.

In addition to the soil composition and the geographical position is responsible for ensuring that there several species live on the northern or southern limit of their range within North America.

Recovery

The Hurlburt 's Hill rises on the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut to up to 1,000 ft ( 304.8 m), and 20 acres ( 8.09 ha) large plateau, from which can be easily overlooked from the surrounding area. Total visitors stand 5 mi (8 km) of hiking trails.

Bring dogs and other pets is prohibited with regard to the nature reserve. For hunting a corresponding permission must be obtained.