Montview Conservation AreaMontview Conservation Area is a 3.26 acre, city-owned “pocket preserve”. It lies tucked between a dense city neighborhood and expanses of the Hockanum (“where the mist gathers”) Meadows and protected floodplain forest. An enclave of quiet open space, it is mere minutes from the passing interstate and Northampton’s busy downtown.
Text contributed by Laurie Sanders. |
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This refuge is part of the historic 100-year floodplain of the Connecticut River. It now lies within the Army Corps of Engineers dike system and thus technically is separated from the river’s freshet. Alluvial soil attracted and nourished Native Americans, who kept meadowlands clear by burning. Later, Europeans were attracted to the same resource and settled Northampton. Prior to its donation as conservation land in 2000, this piece formed the bulk of the Aquadro family farm for a century. Toward the end of their occupancy, the Aquadros maintained the bulk of the land in meadow.
It draws residents to walk, run, spend time with children, friends, and pets. It draws downtown workers on breaks to refresh themselves. Visitors’ motives are some combination of relaxation, reflection, exercise, socializing and contemplation of nature. 
Over time, neighbors have reported sightings of the following wildlife on or near the land: indigo bunting, northern oriole, chickadee, Carolina wren, scarlet tanager, flicker, red bellied woodpecker, red tail hawk, bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, goldfinch, wild turkey, redwing blackbird, barred owl, great blue heron, bittern, barn owl, black bear, white-tailed deer, coyote, moose, various waterfowl, woodchucks, skunks, opossum, and raccoon.
With the changing seasons Montview Conservation Area offers a cycle of natural displays: calls of spring peepers and trills of American toads, the wonder of pulsing fireflies on summer evenings, the golden foliage of ancient silver maples in autumn, and expanses of undisturbed, unsoiled snow in winter. All this transpires with a striking view of the Holyoke Range to the east beyond the great river. The naming of adjacent avenue “Montview” suggests that this landmark view is a historic one, appreciated at least since the era when the Summit House was the second most popular tourist attraction in the United States. Today it still feels as if one could walk east right to the base of Skinner Mountain. 
A time came when the previous owners of the land gave serious consideration to residential development. An initial proposal to build about 40 townhouse units shocked neighbors, who had become very attached to the open space and its contribution to the quality of life around it. Though the proposal was eventually downsized, the neighbors found common cause in the hope that somehow the land might be preserved.
Paramount was the idea that conservation land, so often distant from residential areas could be integrated into a densely populated neighborhood easily accessible by many. 
Happily, through a favorable combination of individual and group efforts, diplomatic negotiation, and circumstance, the City of Northampton accepted the gift of the MCL from the Aquadros in 2000.
State law requires that land gifted to the public must be protected with an approved Conservation Restriction (CR). This document specifies what can and cannot happen on the land in perpetuity. In addition, a 3-5 year Management Plan (MP) must be submitted to and approved by the local Conservation Coalition. To avoid a conflict of interest, a third party “holds” the CR, submits and implements the MP, and monitors the condition of the land. In 2016 Meadow City Conservation Coalition (MCCC), a small non-profit based in Ward 3 in Northampton, fulfilled these requirements. Its second MP was submitted and approved by the Conservation Commission for the period October 2021 - October 2026. The MCCC is grateful for help in maintaining Montview from neighbor Jim Nash, who mows the playfield and trails, and Richard Jaescke who plows the agricultural plot. Agriculture at Montview Conservation AreaThe agricultural plot is currently leased to farmers originally from All Farmers in Springfield, MA. All Farmers is a non profit that supports refugee and immigrant farmers with land access, training, and more.
To learn more, listen to this story by Ben James on NEPM about Hassan Aden, a Somali Bantu refugee farming the land at Montview Conservation Area. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is MCA open?
The area is open from dawn to dusk all year. Dogs are welcome if leashed. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
How is MCA managed?
The current Management Plan extends from 2021-2026. It can be viewed here.
Why brush hog at MCA?
A portion of the property is conserved as “transitional meadow” or “early successional meadow”, a somewhat uncommon habitat in New England. “A transitional meadow occurs when a field, pasture, farmland, or other cleared land is no longer cut or grazed and starts
to display luxuriant growth, extending to the flowering and self-seeding of its grass and wildflower species”.
As woody plants take hold, meadow becomes forest. This has taken place at the nearby Cutchins Conservation Area in several decades. Brush hogging suppresses woody growth. However, it is not advisable to cut an entire meadow all at once since the standing vegetation provided food and cover for resident creatures. The MCA plan allows for cutting one third of the area each year.
Vermont naturalist Mary Holland describes the value of leaving some vegetation uncut in meadows over the winter:
“A large number of winter bird species in the Northeast, especially sparrows and :inches, are seedeaters (granivorous) and there are multiple wild sources of food for these birds, many found along roadsides and in fields. These plants, called weeds by some, are known for the copious amounts of seeds they produce. Ragweed, Pigweed, Bindweed, Thistle and Smartweed are some of the plants that are popular with seed-eating birds. Some of the more familiar :lowering plants such as Sulphur (or Rough-fruited) Cinquefoil, Mullein, St. John's Wort, Black- eyed Susan, Evening Primrose, Queen Anne’s Lace, Yarrow and Goldenrod also feed a host of birds with their bounteous seed crops.”
to display luxuriant growth, extending to the flowering and self-seeding of its grass and wildflower species”.
As woody plants take hold, meadow becomes forest. This has taken place at the nearby Cutchins Conservation Area in several decades. Brush hogging suppresses woody growth. However, it is not advisable to cut an entire meadow all at once since the standing vegetation provided food and cover for resident creatures. The MCA plan allows for cutting one third of the area each year.
Vermont naturalist Mary Holland describes the value of leaving some vegetation uncut in meadows over the winter:
“A large number of winter bird species in the Northeast, especially sparrows and :inches, are seedeaters (granivorous) and there are multiple wild sources of food for these birds, many found along roadsides and in fields. These plants, called weeds by some, are known for the copious amounts of seeds they produce. Ragweed, Pigweed, Bindweed, Thistle and Smartweed are some of the plants that are popular with seed-eating birds. Some of the more familiar :lowering plants such as Sulphur (or Rough-fruited) Cinquefoil, Mullein, St. John's Wort, Black- eyed Susan, Evening Primrose, Queen Anne’s Lace, Yarrow and Goldenrod also feed a host of birds with their bounteous seed crops.”
Why try to suppress invasive plants? Which ones are present at MCA?
When nonnative plants enter an ecosystem, they take the places of natives that have evolved alongside the local wildlife that depends on them for food and shelter. Habitat is degraded, and animal populations decline. Local invasive include Oriental bittersweet, Garlic mustard, Multiflora rose, Canada thistle, Porcelain berry and Lesser Celandine.
How can I help care for MCA?
Join MCCC. Annual dues are $10. for individuals or $15. For families. Volunteer for work sessions (advance notice will be posted here and on the Montview Neighborhood list serve). Make a contribution to the trail maintenance fund. Share pictures of plants and animals you see there. Our hope is to establish a small committee of interested folks to help implement the Management Plan and document the wildlife there.
What kind of events may take place on the MCA play Aield?
Organized events such as an ice cream social or neighborhood tag sale require the permission of the city in advance. Inquiries can be made to Jane Potter at ([email protected]) at Mac Everett at ([email protected]), who will share your query with the MCCC Board and forward it to the city’s Office of Planning and Sustainability, which has the final say. Because of traffic and parking issues, events potentially involving large numbers of people are discouraged. Informal events do not require permission. These include things like picnicking, natural history workshops and ball games. Please put away equipment afterwards to facilitate mowing by our faithful volunteer Jim Nash.
Who can use the MCA agricultural plot?
Farmers interested in leasing the ag plot must sign an agreement with the city. It typically runs for three years, specifies what practices must be followed, and requires a refundable deposit. The current 3 year lease is held by All Farmers (allfarmers.world). Tom Annese ([email protected])) is in charge of arranging the city’s ag leases.
