Clarksburg State Park Adding Yurts By Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Friday, January 10, 2025 | |
A picture of yurt at Nickerson State Park that was provided in the project notification. CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is planning to add four yurts to Clarksburg State Park. The Historical Commission was apprised of the plans by DCR late last year along with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and leaders of a number of Massachusetts tribes. The commissioners did not vote on the matter; the information was being provided to alert them no historical sites were being disturbed. The state park, known locally as Mausert's Pond, covers 368 acres of pond and woodland with 45 campsites and nearly >> Read More |
Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, December 28, 2024 | |
The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others. Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former >> Read More |
Geothermal Tests Warm Greylock School Building PanelBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
05:27PM / Saturday, December 21, 2024 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock School site has produced positive results for the planned geothermal system for the new school. Jesse Saylor of TSKP Studio, the school project designer, said the conductivity of the soils were comparable or better than three recent school completed in Connecticut. "We were able to create a geothermal test well, and we were able to find the conductivity of the soils," he told the School Building Committee on Tuesday. "What matters is that you can see the conductivity at the Greylock site is actually pretty good." The soil conductivity — it's ability to transfer heat — plays a role in >> Read More |
North Adams Chops Notch Forest PlanStaff Reports,
05:18AM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The mayor has killed a controversial plan to remove invasive plants and log parts of the Notch Reservoir watershed. Mayor Jennifer Macksey on Thursday evening released a statement saying the city would not be implementing the forest management plan. "The plan was laid out by our knowledgeable and dedicated partners to address key threats to this property and would have helped the city proactively manage our watershed's forest," said the mayor. "However, given the public outcry regarding the impact the project could have on the Bellows Pipe Trail, I have decided not to move forward with the plan." Her email said >> Read More |
Guest Column: North Adams Is Leading on Climate ResponseBy Dicken Crane & Henry Art, Guest Column
04:01PM / Monday, October 07, 2024 | |
 After several years of careful planning and invitations for public involvement to create a plan that will increase the resiliency of the woodlands in the Notch Reservoir watershed, restore its ecological function and intentionally manage the area using science-based, sustainable practices, a few citizens groups are now voicing opposition to the proposed forest management. Along with the city's leaders and the conservation organizations providing technical assistance to plan this restoration work, these groups share a sincere concern for the well-being of the forests. However, one of their key objections to the proposed work is that Mother Nature can best manage the >> Read More |
North Adams Residents Seek Answers on Forest Management PlanBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
06:46AM / Saturday, September 14, 2024 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Officials say the forest management plan for the Notch Reservoir watershed will improve the forest's resiliency. But residents continue to be concerned about erosion, water quality and logging, and the effects on wildlife and the popular Bellows Pipe Trail. The plan includes selective and salvage harvests because of infestations of the emerald ash borer, patch cuts on the red pine plantations, and enrichment plantings of resilient species. The project aims to reinvest income into the forest and watershed, with a focus on best management practices in collaboration with Mass Audubon and the state and federal forestry >> Read More |
North Adams Sets Meeting on Notch Forestry PlanBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | |
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city has set a public information session about controversial plans to log parts of the Notch Reservoir watershed. The forum will take place onat City Hall. It will include representatives from Mass Audubon, New England Forestry Foundation, and the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts, of which North Adams is a member. The city is set to implement a 2022 forest management plan around the reservoir to preserve its watershed, root out invasive species, promote sustainable growth and bring in some revenue. The 10-year plan apparently began as a way to improve culverts and stream crossings and it identifies key forest health >> Read More |
Tamarack Hollow Breaks Ground on Long-Anticipated Nature CenterBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
07:12AM / Saturday, August 31, 2024 | |
WINDSOR, Mass. — Aimee Gelinas and Daniel Cohen have led hikes and other programming at Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center for more than a decade. Now an upcoming educational center will create new opportunities to connect people with the natural world and the folklore traditions that honor it. Last week, the nonprofit held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 900-square-foot wooden structure with a full foundation and a composting toilet. The excavation process began this week, and completion is expected in 2026. "This is such a big day for Dan and I," Gelinas said. "We have been working hard for this for 10 >> Read More |
North Adams ConCom Balks at Using Herbicides Near ReservoirBy Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, August 06, 2024 | |
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Nearly a dozen residents attended Monday's Conservation Commission meeting to express opposition to a forest management plan that will include logging and the use of herbicides near Notch Reservoir. "The forest that's in there now is a healthy habitat. I walk through there every day, and the trees marked to be cut down are healthy native trees," said Julie Richard. "Yes, some of them are sick and some of them die, but they're like people, they die. That doesn't mean it's not a healthy forest. ... "Who is profiting from this?" The Conservation Commission indicated agreement with most of >> Read More |
NAPS, Greenagers Launch Program at Many Forks Farm| 10:18AM / Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | |
NORTH ADAMS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND GREENAGERS, INC. LAUNCHES PROGRAM AT MANY FORKS FARM, FOSTERING YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND NAPS, Greenagers Launch Program at Many Forks Farm CLARKSBURG, Mass. This summer, Greenagers, Inc. has teamed up with Many Forks Farm and the North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Program to introduce a new program aimed at engaging students with nature while fostering leadership and environmental stewardship. At Many Forks Farm, 22 North Adams students, in grades 5 and 6, have participated in a variety of hands-on activities. Under the guidance of Sue Wells and her team, with support from Many Forks Farm's farmer Molly Comstock, participants >> Read More |
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