Deb Bennett and Terry Burke will lead a walk through the fields and forests of Rattlesnake Preserve, a mosaic of many different agricultural uses. The wonderful stone walls indicate bygone uses such as pasture for sheep and other livestock. Stone bridges, embedded barbed wire and wolf trees denote hedgerows, and old stone foundations of a possible milk cooler raise the possibility of a previous dairy industry. The forest hosts a number of different biomes, and the hay field at the entrance is graced by a bird viewing platform that overlooks a wetland and streams replete with a small colony of beavers.

Time/Distance: 1 hour–1 mile

Directions: From the Route 4/Route 43 intersection in Cornwall, head west on Sharon Goshen Turnpike and then turn right onto Town St. Continue on Town St. and take a left onto Cogswell Road, which leads to the intersection on the right with Rattlesnake Road. Park at the Rattlesnake Road entrance near Cogswell Road.

This event is in collaboration with the Housatonic Heritage Walks–free, guided walks throughout Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Litchfield County, Connecticut.