Hopkins Memorial Forest
Williams College, Williamstown, MA
The Hopkins Forest consists of 2500 acres of Northern and
transitional hardwoods on the Eastern slopes of the Taconic Mountain Range in
the tri-state area of Northwestern MA, Eastern NY and Southwestern, VT. The
Forest has been associated with Williams College since the mid-thirties when
it was deeded to the college as an array of abandoned fields, pastures and woodlots.
The US Forest Service managed the site as an experimental station from that
time until the late 60s--leaving a legacy of permanent monitoring plots, stream
gauging stations and genetic plantations. Since 1971 Hopkins Forest has been
operated directly by the College for research and scholarly activities. In addition
to the now unbroken stands of hardwoods, this field station consists of a main
building that includes two labs, a classroom, office, exhibit space and networked
computer facilities. There are four weather stations on the area ranging to
the top of the mountain. Two stream gauging stations going back to the Forest
Service era have been reactivated and in operation since the early 80s.
A major emphasis at the Hopkins Forest has been land-use history and the impacts
of past agrarian activities on subsequent pathways of succession. The original
Forest Service permanent plots and historic land use maps have been vital to
these studies. Geomorphology and the transport of sediment through the local
watershed have also been explored at the Forest. In the early 90s, HMF became
the home of one of the earliest canopy observation facilities in the temperate
region. During this period experiments and observations on the community structures
of the forest canopy were conducted; the canopy walkway continues to serve as
an educational resource. More recently, studies of invasive species, including
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), have been launched in Hopkins Forest.
As it serves an undergraduate institution, a primary
mission of the forest is to provide unique outdoor classroom and research experiences
for undergraduates. To this end, several lab sections are routinely taught at
the site and many independent studies and honors thesis projects are and have
been conducted at the forest. In addition, the Hopkins Forest has had historically
strong ties to the local community: community festivals, maple sugaring, deer
hunting and nature programs are all a part of the annual routine at HMF.
For more information on Hopkins Forest, or to inquire about research opportunities
there, please contact Manager Drew Jones (ajones@williams) or visit our website:
www.williams.edu/CES/hmf .
- Drew Jones