The Western MA Exchange
The online newsletter of the Western MA Chapter
Updated: 20-Jul-2024 | View Archive »
In This Issue
Professional Trail Services ✧ Trail Angel ✧ Responsible Forestry ✧ Social Gathering at Noble View ✧ Member Favorites ✧ Every Kid Can Be a Junior Naturalist! ✧ The Hike ✧ Tuesday Afternoon ✧ Western MA Mountaineering ✧ July Volunteer Spotlight ✧ Regional Day Hikes ✧ Come Play With Us This Summer! ✧ Hoosac Range Hike ✧ Another Bad Plant! ✧ AMC's Alpine Stewards ✧ Hike to Upper Goose Pond ✧ Happy First Day of Summer! ✧ Juneteenth ✧ Mitigating Climate Change ✧ 20s/30s Paddle the Connecticut RiverProfessional Trail Services
AMC Weekend Feature
[20‑Jul‑2024] For more than 100 years AMC has offered professional trail crews that maintain and construct trails throughout the Northeast. Our expertise in trail construction, campsite planning and management, and mapping services help to develop and maintain non-motorized recreational trail networks. AMC »
Trail Angel
July 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM
[17‑Jul‑2024] The community is invited to attend the showing of "Trail Angel", a thirty minute video that shares the story of Tom Levardi, a Dalton native who has supported Appalachian Trail thru hikers for 45 years. Tom was given the nickname Trail Angel for allowing thru hikers to camp in his backyard while passing through Dalton, one of the few places on the 2,200 mile trail that crosses through a town. This event will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Stationery Factory in Dalton. All are welcome and registration is not required. IBERKSHIRES.COM ARTICLE »
Responsible Forestry
AMC Weekend Feature
[14‑Jul‑2024] The 100-Mile Wilderness lies in the heart of Maine's North Woods, a region that features some of the largest areas of undeveloped forests, lakes, and ponds in the U.S. Since 2003, AMC has worked to conserve 100,000 acres of this critical forest, using our decades of conservation planning experience to develop a new model of land ownership for the Northeast, balancing responsible timber management with land conservation and community economic development. AMC »
Social Gathering at Noble View
[12‑Jul‑2024] Members of the Western MA Chapter Executive Committee and other Chapter volunteers met for a social gathering at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell in lieu of a formal meeting on Monday. Everyone enjoyed the rare opportunity to meet in person while enjoying some pizza, beverages and the gorgeous view from the Double Cottage.
Member Favorites
[11‑Jul‑2024] Looking for somewhere new to go for outdoor adventures? Check out the Member Favorites page for seven interactive maps with some of our members' favorite places to hike, bike, ski, and paddle.
Every Kid Can Be a Junior Naturalist!
AMC Weekend Feature
[07‑Jul‑2024] At AMC, we believe everyone plays a part in our conservation work, including kids! AMC Junior Naturalists are curious children, ages five through twelve, who take a pledge to respect all living things, learn about the natural world, and work towards protecting our planet. Story by Matt Morris. AMC OUTDOORS BLOG »
The Hike
[06‑Jul‑2024] This month's StoryWalk® at Noble View is "The Hike" by Alison Farrell. This fun story features three girls who go hiking in their local forest and experience nature in their own special way. It celebrates friendship and the joy of exploring in the outdoors. Come up to Noble View with your littles to hike the new All Person's Trail and read this lovely story as you go. This trail is perfect for strollers, and dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
ExCom Opportunities
Hiking Chair - The volunteer role of the Hiking Chair is to support leaders in offering a variety of hikes to AMC members and other participants, with a safe, fun, inclusive, and welcoming approach. A love of the outdoors and excellent organizational skills are a key fit for this position. VIEW »
Chapter Vice Chair - Looking for the satisfaction of using your skills to help people Be Outdoors in western Massachusetts? Explore chapter governance in this support role, learning about all areas of the AMC Western MA Chapter, its activities, and the AMC organization. VIEW »SEE ALL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES »
Tuesday Afternoon
Western MA Mountaineering
[03‑Jul‑2024] Everyone probably knows that we offer guided hikes, cycling and paddling outings on a regular basis, but did you know that we have an active mountaineering committee that leads climbing events? VIEW ACTIVITIES »
July Volunteer Spotlight
[02‑Jul‑2024] This month's Volunteer Spotlight shines on Carly Cavanaugh, who joined the Executive Committee as one of the co-treasurers in March. Here's what Carly had to say about why she wanted to get involved in the AMC.
Regional Day Hikes
AMC Weekend Feature
[30‑Jun‑2024] The Northeast and mid-Atlantic have a lot to offer for those seeking a rewarding day hike in their local area. Whether you're looking for a scenic waterfall to picnic by, a challenging summit to reach, or just a relaxing walk in the woods, these day hikes are worth checking out. AMC BUCKET LIST »
Come Play With Us This Summer!
Monthly Chapter Message
[29‑Jun‑2024] Happy summer everyone! We are reveling in the warm sunshine, green trees, and summer flowers blooming everywhere, and we have so many fun activities to fill these long summer days. VIEW ARTICLE »
Hoosac Range Hike
[26‑Jun‑2024] The Tuesday Hiking Group enjoyed blue skies and gorgeous views, and of course, the Yoda tree, on their Hoosac Range hike in North Adams yesterday. The Chapter leads a hike every Tuesday, as well as other hikes throughout the week. View upcoming hikes on our activities page and join us for great exercise, beautiful scenery, and comraderie. MORE PHOTOS »
Another Bad Plant!
Wild Parsnip
[25‑Jun‑2024] Wild parsnip is an invasive plant from Europe and Asia that has become naturalized in North America. It is well suited for colonizing disturbed areas but can also be found in open fields and lawns. Wild parsnip sap can cause painful, localized burning and blistering of the skin. Image by Pfc598 on Wikipedia. NYSDEC »
Upcoming Activities
Tour of the Pioneer Valley Hamptons Bike Ride [27‑Jul‑2024] Enjoy a 30-mile ride at a moderate pace (12-13 mph average) across all four of the Pioneer Valley Hamptons. REGISTER »
Bog Bridge Repairs Near Blue Hill Rd [27‑Jul‑2024] We will reset and install new additional bog bridges in this wet area near Blue Hill Rd in Monterrey. We'll carry in new materials for a short distance on flat trail, then assemble the bog bridges on site. REGISTER »
Nice & Easy Canal Walk [28‑Jul‑2024] A leisurely walk geared for seniors but open to all. Join the park interpreter for some exercise along the streets of Holyoke with informal, on-the-go interpretation. REGISTER »SEE ALL UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »
AMC's Alpine Stewards
AMC Weekend Feature
[23‑Jun‑2024] Get above treeline on any of New Hampshire's high peaks, and you'll find a landscape of contrast. Here in the alpine zone, a single step could disrupt decades of plant growth. Story by Matt Morris. AMC OUTDOORS BLOG »
Hike to Upper Goose Pond
[21‑Jun‑2024] The Tuesday Hiking Group enjoyed an awesome hike to Upper Goose Pond and the AMC Upper Goose Pond Cabin via the Appalachian Trail in Becket and Lee, led by hike leader and Family Programs Chair, Laura Stinette. Join us on these weekly hikes, or any of our other guided activities. Hope to see you outside!
Happy First Day of Summer!
[20‑Jun‑2024] Today marks the longest day of the year and the start of our busiest season with so many opportunities to join in guided activities – paddling hiking, climbing, cycling, trail maintenance, conservation projects and even some cabin renovation – something for everyone!
Juneteenth
[19‑Jun‑2024] On June 19, 1865, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, Union soldiers entered Galveston, TX to announce that the remaining 250,000 slaves in the state should be freed immediately, finally putting an end to slavery. This day became known as Juneteenth and was celebrated for many years by African Americans. It became a national holiday in 2021. You can learn more about the historical significance of this holiday by searching the list of resources we have posted on our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pages. We hope you have a few moments today to check it out. DEI RESOURCES »
Mitigating Climate Change
AMC Weekend Feature
[16‑Jun‑2024] Climate change impacts our health, from the spread of diseases to our physical health to our food sources - not to mention the increasing impact of natural disasters. It's no wonder a new term has arisen: climate anxiety. Story by Gabriella Gurney; photo courtesy of the author. AMC OUTDOORS BLOG »
20s/30s Paddle the Connecticut River
[14‑Jun‑2024] The 20s/30s group - led by Chair Matt Hart and Paddling Co-Chair Deb Weisenstein - met up on a gorgeous day this week to paddle the Connecticut River. See more photos on Facebook. 20S/30S COMMITTEE »
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