Your Connection To the Outdoors
Recreational cycling is a great way to have fun in the outdoors, while maintaining good health and fitness. Still, to enjoy the full benefits of outdoor riding, there are a few things you need to do before, during and after you ride.
Check out the latest issue of the Berkshire Appalachian Trail Newsletter!
In this issue:
Join the New England Trail Committee and AMC-Berkshire Chapter Trail volunteers for an interchapter event: basic maintenance day on NET Section 16. You may know this section for the spectacular Erving Ledges and Hermit Castle. We will do a 5 mile loop hike that will include both of these spots while clearing a few blowdowns, raking out leaves and other basic maintenance as needed. It will be a great way for new people to see what we do on our trails, and ask questions about helping adopt (or co-adopting) a section of trail of your own. Holding up ledges not required.
Twelve AMC members, including three volunteer leaders, met in Hadley on a beautiful spring day to enjoy a recreational group ride in the Pioneer Valley.
Trip Date: Sunday, March 31st, 2019
Initially the trip was scheduled for the Porkbarrel section of the Westfield, which is totally dependent on natural flow. During the week, the level would rise and then fall, as if to tease us. By Saturday afternoon, it was obvious that we had to change plans.
The Quaboag is always a good choice. Although the scenery is not as splendid as the Porkbarrel, the paddling is a half-step up. Moreover, whereas all in the group had run the Porkbarrel not all had run the Quaboag. Variety is a good thing.
Please join us for a potluck dinner. Meet new people, reconnect with old friends, share food and learn more about Chapter activities.
The AT Committee has finalized our Project Schedule for the 2019 season. Projects offer a wide range of experiences from off-trail boundary maintenance to light duty days at Upper Goose Pond Cabin. This link will be updated as the season develops:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iDbOZ3hNSzqLfk1bl-LTI1jIrxeMsLcvAKXnVa4A2G4/edit#gid=0
Projects are also listed on Outdoors.org under AMC Volunteer Activities:
Join New England Scenic Trail committee members and adopters at their spring kick-off meeting! Learn about our accomplishments over the past year, and consider becoming part of our new roving volunteer trail crew or partnering up with current trail adopters. Extensive training is available for those who qualify to be part of our crew. Click here to learn more and register.
On February 12th, the United States Senate voted 92 to 8 to pass legislation that included permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund ( LWCF). The LWCF, which is supported by a share of the income the federal government receives from off-shore oil and other leases, is the principal source of federal funds for land acquisition for parks and reserves as well as for recreational developments.
AMC Western Massachusetts