John Burk is an outdoor writer, photographer, and historian from New England whose interests include natural areas, wildlife, recreation, and landscape history. He has authored or edited a number of regional books and guides, including New England's Natural Wonders, The Wildlife of New England, and AMC Massachusetts Trail Guide, and contributed to publications such as AMC Outdoors, Northern Woodlands, and Natural New England. John worked for 10 years as a historical researcher and archivist at Harvard Forest. He holds an MA in regional studies/landscape history and a BA in history.
During the 1930s, four Swift River Valley towns were abandoned and flooded during the creation of Quabbin Reservoir, Boston's water supply. Today, the reservation and other watershed lands are part...