The Western MA Exchange

We would like to share an opportunity for New England Trail (NET) volunteers and hikers who are interested in helping AMC's community science efforts. This is the New England Nature Watch, a project that AMC and NET partners administer using the iNaturalist app. The New England Nature Watch project was launched in 2021 and allows you to provide data on plants in the NET corridor to AMC. This helps us better understand the effects of climate change on plants along the trail, such as changes to flowering times and species distribution. INaturalist is an app that allows you to identify nearly any plant or animal you find. The app assigns a location and date of the photo taken and catalogs it online, where the iNaturalist community will help to confirm the identification. It can be downloaded on the App store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android devices. Once you've downloaded the app, you can join one or more projects that the AMC is monitoring: the New England Nature Watch, Flowers and Fauna of the Appalachian Trail Corridor, and the Northeast Alpine Flower Watch. Once you've joined the project, all you have to do is be near the NET, the Appalachian Trail corridor, or anywhere in the Northeast and take a photo of the plant or animal you want to identify. We have over 5,500 total observations of 570 species so far, and we hope you all are able to contribute!

YOUTUBE »

Highlights of the hike included huge pine trees, beautiful fern groves, a large cellar hole, lots of wildflowers, and a perfect lunch spot along the Clam River. Did you know that the Chapter offers hikes every Tuesday? Check it out on the Chapter Activities page of our website. MORE PHOTOS »

There are five more hikes in this annual series, ending on August 15^th in Williamstown. Come join the fun! UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »

When you open the map just click on the canoe icon for information about that location - a description of the lake or pond, photos, a website when available, and directions. Everything you need to plan your next paddling outing. And remember, the Chapter offers many opportunities for guided paddling outings in Western MA. You can see the full list on our Chapter activities page. Just click on the paddling icon and come join the fun! UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »

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Be on the lookout for these unusual plants on your next outing and share your photos if you find one (don't forget to tag us). As always, we remind you to follow the principles of Leave No Trace: take only photos, leave only footprints.

Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive unless provoked. If you see a rattlesnake on the trail stay at least 6 feet away. If you inadvertently get too close they will usually shake their tail as a warning and slither away. Rattlesnake bites are rare in MA, but if bitten you should seek medical attention immediately. And as always, keep your dog on a leash to avoid disturbing a snake. Rattlesnakes are considered endangered, meaning it is illegal to kill them. Mass Wildlife is tracking the population so if you see one you are encouraged to report it to them at natural.heritage@mass.gov. LEARN MORE »

We are continuing our AT Hike Series through August. Search for upcoming trips on the hiking committee's webpage. MORE PHOTOS »

INATURALIST »

We have road and gravel cycling, hiking-from relaxed to vigorous, backpacking, paddling, climbing, book club hikes, socials, and activities for 20s/30s - something for everyone! UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »

Many thanks to Cosmos, Jon, Eileen, and Warren for their hard work to make the trail safer on a hot day! Visit the committee's webpage to learn more about their work and the upcoming projects they have scheduled. MORE PHOTOS »

The group started at Lake Wyola and headed north on the trail to Ruggles Pond in the Wendell State Forest. A large lakeside pavillion provided the perfect halfway spot for lunch before heading back to Lake Wyola. It was a wonderful surprise to see all the mountain laurels that were still in bloom! Some of the hikers enjoyed a delightful dip in the lake to cool off after the hike and one took off in his kayak. The Western MA Chapter leads a hike every Tuesday, and other days as well. Come join us! MORE PHOTOS »

Join AMC staff on the morning of July 18th or the evening of August 5th for a scenic 4-mile loop hike to Mt Norwottuck & the Horse Caves on MA NET Section 8 to learn about the importance of trail crews work in protecting public land.

What a month it has been! From celebrating AMC's 150^th anniversary on trails, rivers, roads, and at Noble View Outdoor Center to recognizing the volunteers who care for the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), our chapter continues to show what can happen when people come together around a love of the outdoors. This month we're sharing highlights from the AMC 150 Relay, introducing you to the work of our A.T. Management Committee, and inviting someone with a passion for families and the outdoors to help lead our Family Programs. As always, we welcome our new chapter members! Looking forward to SEEING you on one of our many adventures! Happy Summer,
Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

AMC 150 Recap

After months of planning, the AMC 150 Relay entered MA on May 17 with a 6.2-mile hike from Northwest Camp to Guilder Pond, then made its way through western MA over 16 days before crossing into Worcester County. Thirty-two Western MA leaders planned 14 adventures with 224 participants. We hiked, backpacked, paddled, and climbed our way along the A.T., the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers, the New England Trail, and roadways through Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin Counties before passing the official AMC 150 banner to the Worcester Chapter to continue its way through MA and on to NH. We also enjoyed a fabulous celebration at Noble View Outdoor Center, welcoming the cyclists on a 26-mile ride from the town of Washington to Russell with much fanfare, a barbeque, and a 150^th anniversary cake. The western MA segment of the relay functioned as a regional showcase of the chapter's outdoor community: it connected trails and waterways with volunteer leadership, conservation, and accessible ways for people to participate in AMC's anniversary. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this epic celebration a huge success! Follow the relay in real time and view photos of the relay segments.

June Committee Highlight: The A.T. Management Committee

This Committee of the Western MA Chapter is charged with the maintenance and management of the A.T. in MA, including many of the associated side trails. The 14 volunteers on the Committee work with the National Park Service and Mass DCR on this effort, coordinating and supporting the efforts of around 100 individual volunteers. Opportunities for volunteering are available in many different areas:

• Regular trail maintenance: Clearing pathways, clipping brush, painting blazes, mowing, etc.
• Overnight facilities maintenance: Monitoring and maintaining camps, shelters, campsites, privies, etc. along the Trail.
• Corridor monitoring and boundary maintenance: Keeping the boundary of trail lands marked and monitoring for any misuse.
• Natural resource monitoring: Visiting more than 50 sites to document the presence of rare, threatened or endangered plants and the habits of wildlife.
• Cultural resource monitoring: Visiting, researching and documenting the remains of historic structures and sites on Trail lands and monitoring them for any changes.
• Supporting A.T. Communities along the Trail: North Adams, Cheshire, Dalton, Lee, and Great Barrington.
• Connecting with sponsored or organized groups using the Trail and its overnight facilities: Providing information about group use regulations and best practices.
• Working with land managers and other staff: Proposing and designing major maintenance and repair projects on damaged or eroded sections of the Trail.

We are incredibly grateful for all the hard work the A.T. Committee volunteers put into maintaining the incredible and beautiful A.T. in MA! Learn more about the A.T. Committee and find upcoming projects to join.

Volunteer Opportunity: Family Programs Chair

The AMC Western MA Chapter is looking for an enthusiastic individual interested in helping families spend time outdoors. The Family Programs Chair coordinates family-friendly outings and events, supports volunteer leaders, and helps grow a welcoming community for new generations of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Experience organizing events is helpful, but enthusiasm, communication, and a love of the outdoors matter most. Learn more about the Family Programs Committee or email Chapter Chair, Kathy Martin (chair@amc-wma.org) for more information about this exciting opportunity!

Work may include brushing, corridor clearing, drainage touch-ups, and general tread maintenance. No experience is required. Training and tools will be provided. Participants should bring snacks, lunch, water, gloves, and safety glasses. As part of the day, we will also briefly send off the AMC 150 Relay Riders as they begin their ride from Hiram to Freeport. REGISTER »

Experience organizing events is helpful, but enthusiasm, communication, and a love of the outdoors matter most. Learn more about the Family Programs Committee and email our Chapter Chair, Kathy Martin at chair@amc-wma.org if you're interested in this exciting position!

Each month we highlight one of the committees in the Western MA Chapter, to showcase who our volunteers are and what they do, and to highlight Chapter programs, recreational activities, and volunteer opportunities. This month we're featuring the A.T. Management Committee. This Committee of the Western MA Chapter is charged with the maintenance and management of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in MA, including many of the associated side trails. The 14 volunteers on the Committee work with the National Park Service and Mass DCR on this effort, coordinating and supporting the efforts of around 100 individual volunteers. Opportunities for volunteering are available in many different areas:

• Regular trail maintenance: Clearing pathways, clipping brush, painting blazes, mowing, etc.
• Overnight facilities maintenance: Monitoring and maintaining camps, shelters, campsites, privies, etc. along the Trail.
• Corridor monitoring and boundary maintenance: Keeping the boundary of trail lands marked and monitoring for any misuse.
• Natural resource monitoring: Visiting more than 50 sites to document the presence of rare, threatened or endangered plants and the habits of wildlife.
• Cultural resource monitoring: Visiting, researching and documenting the remains of historic structures and sites on Trail lands and monitoring them for any changes.
• Supporting A.T. Communities along the Trail: North Adams, Cheshire, Dalton, Lee, and Great Barrington.
• Connecting with sponsored or organized groups using the Trail and its overnight facilities: Providing information about group use regulations and best practices.
• Working with land managers and other staff: Proposing and designing major maintenance and repair projects on damaged or eroded sections of the Trail.

We are incredibly grateful for all the hard work the A.T. Committee volunteers put into maintaining the incredible and beautiful Appalachian Trail in MA! Learn more about the A.T. Committee and find upcoming projects to join.

Only three fine riders joined us, but summer vacation season tends to slow things down a bit. The five of us enjoyed a nice lunch afterwards at Wild Roots in Sunderland. A pleasant way to spend the morning! MORE PHOTOS »