Key W.D. Cowls forestland protected in $3.34M deal Walter Cowls Jones SUBMITTED PHOTO Forestland adjacent to the Atkins Reservoir in Shutesbury. SUBMITTED PHOTO Beaver Pond in the Walter Cowls Jones Working Forest near the Quabbin Reservoir. SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO Modified: 1/6/2021 1:53:07 PM Nine years after completing the largest contiguous private land conservation arrangement in the state’s history, additional W.D. Cowls forestland totaling 2,038 acres, between the Quabbin Reservoir and North Amherst, is being permanently protected. On Wednesday, state officials announced the creation of the Walter Cowls Jones Working Forest, which supplements the 3,486-acre Paul C. Jones Working Forest and will serve to protect water supplies locally and for Boston, preserve extensive wildlife habitat and promote continued production of timber.