The 3,000-acre Harvard Forest, mostly in Petersham, offers a wealth of recreational and educational possibilities, and is a designated Wildlife Viewing Area. Among the miles of trails are ¼-mile and 1½-mile interpretive loop trails (the latter with a side loop through a black gum swamp) and a hike up an old road to a fire tower on Prospect Hill with a magnificent view over the countryside. Established in 1907, Harvard Forest is primarily a world-renowned research center, conducting long-term ecological research and studies of all aspects of the forest—biology, soils, economics, history, and more—as well as collaborating with scientists from numerous other institutions and with educators throughout New England. It is also the home of the Fisher Museum and its dioramas exploring forest history.
