The Western MA Exchange

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The trail, which follows the east branch of the Westfield River, was nicely packed by snowmobiles (though none were seen) and the weather hinted at spring which is just around the corner. Thanks for organizing it, Kathy Martin! MORE PHOTOS »

If you are interested in participating, please follow the links below and sign up for your desired event(s)! Saturday, March 7: Snowshoe Hike at Wendell State Forest
Friday, April 10: Guided Hike at Ashley Reservoir

We enjoyed delicious food provided by the Lenox High School Crew team, a major fundraiser for the team, and some social time with other members of our AMC Western MA community. Then the sold-out crowd was awed by inspiring and moving documentaries of people in the outdoors — from a paralyzed mountain bike rider creating an accessible trail for adapted mountain bikes to a pair of twins from Indonesia competing in mountain climbing at high level, despite lack of support and funding. The films were visually stunning and truly inspirational! If you have a chance to go to one of the showings, we highly recommend it.

We just lost a major battle in the fight to protect the outdoors. Yesterday, the EPA finalized its decision to revoke the endangerment finding — the science-based and common-sense determination that greenhouse gases harm human health and the environment. Without it, the agency loses its authority to regulate emissions, leaving our skies vulnerable to increased air pollution. Last September, when this rollback proposal was first introduced, AMC's Conservation Action Network showed up. You spoke up for science. You spoke up for public health. You spoke up for the outdoors we all share. Clean air is not an abstract policy. It's the difference between a joyful day outdoors and a harmful one. At AMC, we've seen firsthand what the Clean Air Act makes possible, and we know that the endangerment finding is the legal foundation for many of these protective programs. Through our multi-decade air quality research, we've measured meaningful progress toward clearer skies. AMC research has also documented how air pollution impacts even healthy hikers, causing irritation and increased asthma symptoms on poor air quality days. In the face of clear science, it's disheartening to speak up and feel ignored by decision makers. But we aren't done defending the outdoors, and our community must be louder than ever. What can you do? Join AMC's Conservation Action Network (CAN) to stay informed and take action. Your voice matters. No matter the challenge, we'll keep sending you ways to stay engaged so we can defend the outdoors together.

Fourteen volunteers received Hart or Pychowska awards from AMC for their service in 2025. Thirty-year volunteer, Steve Smith received the AMC Volunteer Leadership Award. Steve was unable to attend due to weather, but the award will be presented at the AMC 150 event at Noble View on May 23. Stay tuned for details!

The briefing saw a half-dozen speakers impressing the importance of road safety cameras from different perspectives. State Senator William Brownsberger and Representative Steve Owens welcomed everyone, emphasizing how strongly they feels about this particular technology in protecting vulnerable people on our roads. MassBike's UCLA law externship student Casey Simon-Plumb explained the ramifications of the bill for a municipality's options for traffic enforcement, and Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson frankly outlined his support for automated enforcement, saying that it was "just common sense." Four members of Families for Safe Streets Massachusetts spoke, all of whom had lost someone to traffic violence, reminding us of the reasons why we do this work. Worcester Police Sergeant Foley, joined by Chief Saucier, expounded on the difficulties in enforcing speed limits and how Worcester declared traffic crashes a "crisis" due dangerous driving, and he described the burden he personally faces as his job requires him to tell people about their family members who had been killed in a crash. Chief Saucier noted that his department is down 58 officers this year due to budget constraints, and having this tool will help them increase enforcement to be both equitable and affordable for the department. Audience members later described the deep emotional impact the featured speakers had on them. Watch the briefing and find out how to take action to support this bill.

ATC »

The AMC community grows stronger every time someone decides to lead. Interested in becoming a trip leader? Winter is a beautiful time to start! Contact training@amc-wma.org for information on how to become a trip leader with the AMC Western MA Chapter.

At the AMC annual business meeting last month, AMC announced this year's trail committee volunteer awards. Recipients from the Western MA Chapter have been marked with an asterisk. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated volunteers for their commitment to preserving and maintaining our beloved trails!

Warren Hart Award

The Warren Hart Award bears the name of a volunteer who was AMC Councilor of Improvements (Trails) from 1908-1910. Hart was a stellar example of the spirit of trail volunteerism. He spent 28 days in 1908 creating trails in the Great Gulf Wilderness and inspired other members to join in the effort by his personal example. By 1910, Hart lead "working sections" of 40 people in summer trail building expeditions. This award goes to volunteers who record over 224 hours in one or more qualifying categories in a calendar year.Hart Awardees are:

• Gary Adamson*
• David Agneta
• John Bergacs
• Greg Bernet
• Dave Boone
• Warren Buhl*
• Cosmo Catalano*
• Dave Coderre*
• David Cohen*
• Phil Coyne
• Jim Fergione*
• Bob Goldsmith
• James Greaney
• Jim Liptack
• Ted Loukides*
• Gregg Nolting
• Jim Pelletier*
• Frank Polito
• Ruel Rene
• Kerry Robinson
• Peter Roderick
• Guay Scott
• Richard Silverberg
• Russ Skelton*
• Frederickson Skip
• Spencer Sprecker
• John Swanson
• Chip Ward

Marian Pychowska Award

The Marian Pychowska Award is named after a volunteer who stood out for her diverse activities. In the 1880s Pychowska helped build trails, created a trail map of the Northern Presidential Range, discovered the Pinnacle in Huntington Ravine, and may have been the first AMC-affiliated person to look at the impact of recreation. When a shelter was proposed near treeline she wrote, "we all fear if the public are invited to it the surroundings will become [littered]." Recipients of the Pychowska Award have recorded over 96 hours of volunteer time in one or more qualifying categories in a calendar year. They receive a $20 AMC gift card code, which can be used through AMC's online store. Recipients can also opt to receive a printed certificate on award paper. The Pychowska Awardees are:

• Ron Archambault
• Josh Barlow
• Bill Barrett
• Mies Bastille
• Gary Brigham
• Gale Carey
• Shaffer Cassandra
• Tony Chernasky
• Susan Cottle
• Bonnie Cramp*
• Rob Cramp*
• Garry Crane
• Steve Crowe
• Terry Delaney
• Wayne Desroches*
• Colleen Doshna
• Mary Eaton*
• Nancy Eaton*
• Christoph Geiss
• Rick Glatz
• Lou Graham
• Pat Grimm
• Cathy Hambleton
• Monty Harris
• Cassandra Haskell
• Joann Healey
• Terry Knuttunen
• Laura Lane
• Jeanine Libby
• Tim Linehan
• Adam Lippman
• Pete Malinowski
• Roy Marc
• Larry McAnallen
• Emily Merlino
• Judd Mora
• Peter Moulton
• Peter Nash
• Reder Paul
• Holly Riehl
• Knott Rota
• Phyllis Rubenstein
• Brian Sisko
• Ed Sokolnicki
• Sue Sorrow
• Janice Tassinari*
• Paul Thoma
• Judith Watson
• Josh Weeks*
• Debra Weisenstein*
• Doug Wilson

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

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As we begin the new year, we're excited to share a snapshot of the energy, dedication, and community that make the AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter so special. This January highlight features the incredible work of our Appalachian Trail Management Committee, opportunities to get outside (and inside!) during the winter months with some truly unique outings, and an introduction to the volunteers who will be guiding our chapter forward as the 2026 Executive Committee. Together, these stories reflect the heart of our chapter: caring for the trails and lands we love, creating meaningful experiences for members of all ages, and supporting one another through strong volunteer leadership. And if you are new to our Chapter, we warmly welcome you and hope to get to know you better! Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Join Us for Some Fun and Unique Winter Activities

The winter months provide many opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities. We are offering guided hikes, downhill skiing, indoor climbing in the gym, outdoor ice climbing, volunteer opportunities, a book club, and family activities. And coming up on February 1^st, we have two unique outings to consider. If you like to cross-country ski or snowshoe, come join us for a day of socializing and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, Vermont. Prospect Mountain is the highest Nordic base lodge in Vermont at 2,250 feet and includes 40 km of groomed and tracked XC trails and snowshoe trails. We will meet for lunch at noon with complimentary hot cocoa. Click here for details and to register. Also on February 1^st, is an Owl Prowl, a family-friendly walk along a gravel road at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, where great horned, barred, and screech owls may be calling from the shadows. Wrapped in scarves and starlight, we'll walk along the road lit by the full moon, listening for hoots and learning how these remarkable birds survive the harshest season of the year. We'll even teach you how to hoot and whistle like an owl. With luck, and a little patience, we may hear a pair calling back and forth across the icy hills.

January Committee Highlight- the Appalachian Trail Management Committee

The Chapter's AT Management Committee maintains and manages the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts by partnering with Mass DCR and the National Park Service. The Committee organizes and supports the work of over 100 active volunteers who contributed over 8000 hours in 2025. In addition to "just" trail maintenance, the Committee's work covers multiple AT-related program areas: AT Lands Corridor monitoring and boundary maintenance, Natural Resource monitoring, Historical/Cultural Resource stewardship, and Overnight Site Maintenance. Volunteers also serve as 24/7 caretakers at Upper Goose Pond Cabin during the hiking season. The Committee's work also benefits from the support of four active AT Community organizations in North Adams, Cheshire, Dalton and Lee. You can find more information, resources, and upcoming volunteer activities on their committee page. The Committee holds an annual AT Volunteer Gathering for all AT volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more about what we do. This year's AT Gathering is on February 7^th in Dalton. All are welcome! Contact Cosmo for more information.

Meet the 2026 Executive Committee

At the 2025 Annual Business Meeting and Social in October, several new members were voted into the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee (ExCom) is the organizing level of chapter leadership, representing all the committees that keep bringing the wonderful AMC chapter activities and initiatives to members. The ExCom is made up entirely of volunteers, consisting of four officers, twelve committee chairs, and two members-at-large. The Executive Committee meets monthly to oversee all of the activities offered by the Chapter. Here are the 2026 Executive Committee Members.

FEATURED EVENT

Join AMC's Club-wide Conservation Committee (CCC) for an informative virtual open house on January 27 where volunteers, chapter leaders, and conservation champions from across AMC come together to shape what's next. Learn about our 2026 conservation strategy, celebrate 2025 local conservation actions, and explore chapter as well as volunteer camp & cabin opportunities to engage in 2026. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your experience and prior AMC conservation involvement. Learn more and register here.

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The gathering will start with some coffee and socializing, followed by a general session to highlight past activities and outline projects for 2026. After lunch there will be some breakout sessions to learn more about the activities of the Committee. This is open to all current A.T. volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about the Committee's projects. Contact Cosmo Catalano (catalano.cosmo@gmail.com) with questions and to register.

TIMELINE »

Among several key themes, the need for better, more consolidated communication about the full range of outdoor recreation activities available in the region was a top priority. Thanks to funding received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission developed this website in partnership with several fellow stakeholders. The AMC Western MA Chapter has several links on the Resources page that direct users to our activity committees' pages and to the Chapter Activities page of our website. Just click the link and find your next adventure! RESOURCES »