Morse Memorial Forest
The Morse Memorial Forest is a diverse 57-acre parcel that contains vernal pools, upland forest, a dense hemlock deer yard and a significant beaver created-wetland surrounded by black gum swamp. A large beaver pond encompasses the southern part of the property which drains into a small brook that empties into Pauchaug Brook, a tributary of the Connecticut River. The property rises in elevation as you go northwest from the pond with many dramatic rocky outcroppings on steep bowl-like ravines and large glacial erratics.
Public Access
The Morse Memorial Forest is not accessible by road anymore as it is landlocked, and the old woods roads have been blocked off. Permission to walk into the property must be obtained from an abutting landowner.
The Morse Memorial Forest is open to the public for non-motorized outdoor recreation including hiking, bird watching, nature study, and hunting.
Ownership
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
Gift From
Charles A. Morse, Jr. (1996)
Year Protected
1996
Property History
Charles Morse originally bought the 57-acre woodlot because of his desire to have a place to go hiking in his hometown of Warwick. Mr. Morse was interested in protecting the property from potential future development and wanted to ensure that sound forest management is practiced in the future. For these reasons and for a charitable deduction on federal income taxes, Mr. Morse gifted the parcel to Mount Grace as a memorial to his father, town historian Charles Morse, Sr.
