William Forward Wildlife Management Area | wildlife protection/conservation

 wildlife management area, wildlife protection/conservation

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2,083 acres of salt marsh and upland habitat from sea level to 45 feet. This area is approximately 700 acres of upland surrounded by more than
1,300 acres of salt marsh. The uplands are predominantly mixed oak and
white pine woodlands with mature stands of red pine and spruce. Old fields
have been taken over by white cedar. There are also approximately 60 acres
of open fields maintained under cooperative agreements with local farmers,
and an additional 20 acres are maintained in an early successional stage for
purposes of biodiversity management. A small apple orchard is also present.
Marsh grasses of course dominate the marsh acreage.
Portions of the Parker River and two of its major tributaries -the Little River
and the Mill River -run through or border the area. The Parker is about 100
feet across at this point, while it tributaries are roughly 30 feet wide. These
are all tidal waters and during high and flood tides the surrounding marshes
are underwater. The Parker and Mill are known for their white perch runs in
the spring. There are two very small ponds (less than an acre each). Be aware
that mosquito control ditches, some of which may be hidden by overhanging vegetation,
cut much of the marshland.
www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/habitat/maps-wma/northeas...