Your Connection To the Outdoors
As the Commonwealth of Massachusetts addresses climate change through renewable energy development and other strategies, AMC and partners have urged Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to identify areas where solar development should be avoided and encouraged. A solar siting analysis by DOER found that almost 8,000 acres of forest and farmland were developed for ground-mounted solar between 2010-2019.
On Friday November 4th from 5:00 - 7:00pm, the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the AMC will hold its Annual Meeting via Zoom. Click here to register.
Meeting Agenda:
Are you a chapter member who is interested in learning more about the AMC and how your all-volunteer AMC chapter is organized and managed? Would you like to have influence on and contribute to future chapter initiatives, programs and policies?
Scan this QR code to join the AMC at a discounted price for the first year!
Attempted theft from vehicle parked at Grange Hall Rd, Dalton.
On the weekend of July 16/17, a visitor parking overnight at Grange Hall Rd near the Appalachian Trail in Dalton Mass, reported that an attempt was made to steal the catalytic converter from their vehicle. Police were notified, and indicated that similar incidents have been taking place in the larger area generally. Appalachian Trail parking does not seem to be the focus of the thieves, as no other reports of Trail parking area vandalism have been received by the AT Committee to date.
Please consider nominating yourself or someone you recommend (with their permission, of course) for an open Chapter Officer or Standing Committee Chair position!
Did you know that AMC membership dues account for 65% of the chapter’s annual base income? (The balance comes from an endowment established in 1992 per bequest of a generous donor.) The chapter uses these funds to support our programs, activities, and basic business operations, as well as to reduce or eliminate participation costs to our members.
The Western Mass Chapter of the AMC is seeking a Communications Chair to help with regional and club level communications efforts. This includes the regular update of website content, email distribution and social media oversight. The time requirement is approximately 8-10 hours per month.
The role details are:
Meet some great people, get your hands dirty and help support our beautiful recreational and ecological sites. Work projects are open to all -- no prior experience is necessary. Please note that some projects require a moderate hike to and from the work site, and others will be off-trail adventures.
While the AMC supports the development of solar power, Massachusetts laws and regulations have permitted many thousands of acres of forest and farms to be lost to solar facilities. A decades old law is being interpreted to sharply curtail municipalities authority to zone for solar facilities to protect key resources. Bill H.4331 is a bill which would restore a municipality’s right to reasonably regulate solar power locations and is supported by the AMC. This bill needs your support to gain passage.
AMC Western Massachusetts