The Western MA Exchange Archive

Lady's Slippers generally bloom in wooded areas where there is a lot of fungus, which they need to flourish. They are considered endangered in Massachusetts so it is illegal to pick or transplant them. So remember, when out and about, take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints!

AMC is participating in a coalition of groups that are advocating for climate-smart updates to forest conservation and management policies in the Farm Bill, and AMC has signed on to the recommendations. We are listing 3 key recommendations the Club supports. The most important recommendation from AMC's perspective is the creation of a new Forest Conservation Easement Program that would complement the very successful Forest Legacy Program by providing funding for preserving private lands where trusts or other private entities would hold title to easements. This would fill a major gap in the current toolbox of forest conservation solutions. AMC is encouraging members of Congress in the Farm Bill process to:

• Create the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP)
• Advance the role of forests as a natural climate solution by prioritizing reforestation in conservation programs
• Elevate urban and community forests and drive more equitable and just outcomes in the wildland-urban interface.

Here is a link to send an email to your members of Congress. It includes a more comprehensive list of issues in the Farm Bill that AMC supports. Alternatively, you can create your own message at these addresses:

• Senator Ed Markey: https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
• Senator Elizabeth Warren: https://www.warren.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion
• First Congressional District Representative Richard Neal: https://neal.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/
• Second Congressional District Representative Jim McGovern: https://mcgovern.house.gov/contact/zip-auth.htm

Thank you for standing with AMC in our efforts to expand and protect our forests!

As I was wrapping up a glorious backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), I noticed that a car in the Benedict Pond parking lot in Great Barrington had AMC and A.T. Trail Maintainer stickers. It made me stop and remember not to take what I just did for granted, and it reinforced my gratitude and reverence for the quiet and dedicated work of the trails and conservation volunteers who help make our adventures possible. Read on for how you can bring your passion and ideas for conservation and make a difference for western Massachusetts and beyond. Also, you can immerse in the history and beauty of Noble View Outdoor Center by attending Laurel Day on Saturday, June 10. Speaking of being a part of something bigger, read on for ways to participate in National Trails Day and #TrailsFest during the month of June. You can say you were there! See you outside! Diane Jones, Western MA Chapter Chair

Laurel Day at Noble View

Come celebrate laurel blossom season with us at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center on June 10th from 4-9 PM! (Rain date is June 11th.) We are reviving the Noble View Laurel Weekend tradition that started the year after the Berkshire Chapter of the AMC (now Western MA Chapter) was established in 1929. You will enjoy family-friendly guided hikes, a StoryWalk^®, a campfire and a chili supper complete with cornbread, lemonade, and strawberry shortcake. In the evening, we will be roasting marshmallows by the campfire as we watch the sunset. For you history buffs, there will be a historical display in the North Cabin for viewing, including registry books, photographs, and articles about Noble View from the 1930s through today. Come for the evening or reserve a campsite and stay overnight to watch the stars and the beautiful sunrise. To reserve a campsite, call Reservations at 603-466-2727. If you would like to contribute to the potluck, please contact Laura Stinnette at laura.stinnette@gmail.com. This event is free unless you plan to stay overnight. Register today (deadline to register is June 6)!

Join our Conservation Committee!

Are you passionate about the lands and waters around us? Do you want to help protect more of our natural environment? Are you concerned about wildlife? Are you moved enough to take some action? If so, please join our AMC chapter Conservation Committee. Any level of effort you provide will make a meaningful difference and be appreciated. The Committee meets once a month and supports conservation efforts in many ways. Our conservation volunteers:

• support tabling about issues and recruiting at gatherings
• help review proposed legislation, contact legislators regarding specific legislation
• arrange speakers and programs for meetings
• contact agencies and provide comments on proposed or current regulations and policies
• keep track of conservation-related local developments
• write letters to editors or op-ed pieces
• scout out locations of interest, and
• help plan events and activities such as invasive "pulls", naturalist walks, and area clean-ups.

If you are interested in helping with these efforts in any small way, please contact Robert Cherdack, the Chapter's Conservation Committee Chairperson, at conservation@amc-wma.org.

National Trails Day - June 3, 2023

National Trails Day occurs every year on the first Saturday in June and recognizes the benefits federal, state, and local trails provide for recreation and exposure to nature. Events held throughout the U.S. help promote awareness of the wide variety of services the trails systems offer. The day encourages people to discover their local trails, become active concerning trail issues, and share their excitement for the outdoors. Here in western Massachusetts, we decided we needed a whole month to celebrate all the miles of trails we have, including the iconic Appalachian Trail that runs through Berkshire County, the New England Scenic Trail in the Connecticut River Valley, and the Robert Frost Trail (PDF) that runs from South Hadley to Wendell. We invite you to check out a new section of a trail near you or go to our website for an interactive map with National Trails Day activities in western Massachusetts and beyond. Happy trails to you!

Senators Rausch and Rush have introduced amendments that would increase DCR's budget by a full $22 million over last year, as recommended by Governor Healey and AMC. AMC also supports an amendment led by Senator Gobi to increase funding for DCR's watershed management program that supports clean drinking water. Massachusetts ranks last in the nation per capita for funding state and local parks. Your voice is needed now to more suitably fund parks and clean water by ensuring that the State Senate adopts Amendments #37, #76 and #54. Click here to send an email to your representatives. Thank you for standing with AMC to protect our public lands and a healthy outdoors!

There will be family-friendly guided hikes, a StoryWalk^®, a campfire and a chili cook-off hosted by the Western MA Chapter and the Noble View Stewards Council. We will also have strawberry shortcake and marshmallows. For you history buffs, there will be an historical display in the North Cabin for viewing- registry books, photographs and articles about Noble View from the 1930's through today. Come for the evening or reserve a campsite and stay overnight to watch the stars and the beautiful sunrise. To reserve a campsite call Reservations at 603-466-2727. If you would like to contribute to the potluck, please contact Laura Stinnette at laura.stinnette@gmail.com. Cost: free. Laurel Day is Saturday, June 10, 2023, 4-9 PM (Rain Date 6/11).

This is a full-time position with the flexibility to work remote or hybrid within the New England Trail/Connecticut River Valley region of Massachusetts. Please check out the position description on our careers page for further details about position responsibilities, preferred qualifications, and how to apply!

National Trails Day encourages people to discover their local trails, become active concerning trail issues, and share their excitement for the outdoors. See our interactive map for National Trails Day events in and around Massachusetts in 2023 and how you can participate.

Happy Monday friends! Spring is in full swing in the Chapter and we have a variety of activities coming up this week including:

• Maintenance at Upper Goose Pond (16-May-2023)
• Mount Holyoke Loop hike (16-May-2023)
• 25 Miles of Farms and Roads bike ride (20-May-2023)
• Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking (20-May-2023)
• Berkshires Spring Warm-up Ride (21-May-2023)

See our activities page for details and to register for these and all upcoming activities.

Come anytime with your children and walk the short trail as you read the book. This month you will be searching for signs of spring as you meander the trail. Come check out the beautiful trails and views at Noble View!

MASS AUDUBON »

MASS AUDUBON »

This trip will be 14 miles in length and mostly flat. The activity difficulty level as defined by AMC will be Relaxed. The pace will be comfortable (9-11 mph average), and we will keep the group together. Before riding, we will present a group safety talk followed by basic instruction including a bike operation and helmet fit check, and a review of efficient pedaling and gear shifting techniques. This training will help build your confidence, ensure you can maintain your bicycle in good working order, and prepare you for more challenging rides later in the season. You'll need a road or hybrid bike and a helmet.  »

THE REPUBLICAN »

AMC TIMELINE »

The Double Blaze

Chapter 4: Maintaining the Trail

In the past three chapters, dear reader, you have discovered how state and federal agencies protect the AT by establishing a corridor of land protected from development, and how that land is further protected by volunteer Corridor Monitors. The next piece of the puzzle is keeping the trail useable by hikers. This is often what one thinks of when one hears about "trail maintenance" – the actual care and feeding of the footpath. According to the standards set forth by the Appalachian Trail Conference, a group of trail clubs (including our own Berkshire AMC) are charged by the National Park Service with protection and care of the trail. These standards call for a footpath 18 inches wide and a corridor cleared of brush, limbs and other similar obstructions 8 ft. high and 4 ft. wide. Now, any of you hiking on the AT in Mass. will know that these standards are not universally applied. In fact several sections of the trail (I'm thinking particularly of the Mt. Race and Mt. Everett areas) would lose a considerable amount of their unique charm if we cleared the vegetation four feet wide. So we take liberties locally with these standards, as does every other maintaining club along the trail. Why, then, this silly standard? Have you ever hiked in or after a heavy rain or snow storm? The branches and shrubs weighted down with water are quite unpleasant to push past and may be damaged in the process. So we do look to provide a fairly wide cleared area along the footpath over most of the trail. However, it is pretty much left up to the individual maintainer to decide how strictly to apply the standard. Who are these maintainer people? (Some clubs call them "trail adopters.") These are individuals (or sometimes groups of individuals) who have accepted responsibility for seeing a particular section of the AT kept clear of brush, fallen trees and branches (blowdowns). They also make sure the paint blazes are fresh and easy to see, and erosion control structures like waterbars and drainage ditches are kept clear of fallen leaves, dirt and vegetation. Some maintainers also keep tabs on shelters and campsites along their section as well. The length of these sections can vary anywhere from one to five miles depending on the terrain and the abilities of the maintainer. The Berkshire Chapter's AT Committee has three maintainer coordinators (North, Central, and South) that assist the individual maintainer and keep track of his/her work. What does it take to be a maintainer? Time, mostly. Here is a typical schedule for a maintainer with a section through a standard stretch of open forest land: April/May (or when the snow is gone): Walk section, remove small limbs and trees blown down over winter. Assess condition of blazes. Clear winter leaves and debris from water bars and drainage structures. These tasks may take more than one trip depending on con- ditions and length of the section. Report any large downed trees that require chain saw work, or other large-scale damage. June: Clip brush, repaint blazes as needed. July/August: Clip brush if needed. September/October: Clip brush, clear debris from water bars and drainage structures as needed. In addition, if there are big storms, a quick check of the section is prudent to see if any trees or large limbs have come down. This can amount to a lot of work, depending on what kind of season we are having. If the maintainer's section is through open fields, there may be a need to mow the grass and clip fast-growing brambles such as raspberry or multiflora rose. If the section is mostly over rock and scrub, a much less frequent visitation schedule may be appropriate. As the maintainer gets to know his/her section, he/she will discover what parts need the most attention and what can be let go a bit longer. On some sections, light carpentry may be necessary to replace some bridge planks or bog bridges every now and then. Larger projects of this type are typically addressed by the AT Committee work parties, scheduled Tuesdays and Saturdays during the summer. So a maintainer's job can be fairly time consuming, but it is vitally important for both the hiker and the trail. If the brush grows too thick, or a tree falls across the footpath, hikers will make their own path around the obstruction. This path is typically the shortest way around, and most likely will quickly become eroded and muddy, making it wider and more damaging to the surrounding environment. In the worst case, hikers can get lost if the trail becomes too obscured. When this happens, the AT is no longer "... a way continuous, from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia for travel on foot through the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains," and we have failed at our most basic duty as a maintaining club. What can you do as a hiker to help keep the trail in good shape? Number One: stay on the footpath. Even if it's muddy and appears to be swallowed in a bottomless puddle, there are more than likely stepping stones down there somewhere. Don't skirt the edges in search of dry ground; that just makes the trail wider, destroying more habitat. It won't hurt your super-Gortex-encased-extra-sticky-Vibram-gripped trail shoes to get them a little wet or muddy – that's why you don't wear them to the office every day. You can also help out by picking up dead and downed branches and tossing them into the adjacent woods. You can clear out any obviously clogged waterbars with your boot heel. Finally, you can promptly report any problems you encounter to the AT Committee, either directly or to the DEM (Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management) regional office. If you really want to get into this maintenance thing, join the AT Committee on a work party or two to see if you like the work. Then, if you still think this is fun, ask if there are any unfilled sections to maintain. We do get several openings a year as folks move away or find themselves busier than they expected. The skills are very basic – pretty much what you do in your back yard but on a slightly larger scale. You do not need to know how to use a chain saw. (In fact, three days of expert training and certification are now required before a person can use a chain saw on AT lands.) Most of the work can be easily done with limb loppers, a bow saw and a hazel hoe or pick mattock. I carry a small set of hand clippers in my backpack when I day hike, just in case I come across an aggressive stand of raspberries out there in the wilderness. If you are interested in finding out more about this subject, or want to volunteer on the trail contact the AT Management Committee directly at at@amc-wma.org.

In the past few years, Massachusetts State Parks have seen exponential growth in visitors. But at the same time, Massachusetts is at the bottom of all states in state and local investment in parks relative to its population and total budget. In the past few years, the State Legislature has started to reverse deep cuts in funding and staffing that took place over the past decade, but Department of Conservation and Recreation staffing is still 24% lower than in 2009. The Massachusetts House of Representatives is now considering the budget for Fiscal Year 2024. We hope you'll contact your State Representative in support of robust funding for parks, climate preparedness, environmental justice, public health, and ecological restoration. The good news is that the budget proposed by Governor Healey would increase DCR operations funding by $22 million, and the House Ways and Means Committee recommended an increase of $17 million, also funding environmental justice as well as climate adaptation and preparedness at levels supported by AMC. Representative Pignatelli of Lenox has introduced an amendment that would increase DCR's budget by a full $22 million and AMC strongly supports this level of reinvestment in our parks. AMC also supports amendments by Representative Haggerty for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, by Representative Rogers for the Department of Environmental Protection, Representative Meschino for the Division of Ecological Restoration, and Representative Phillips for Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. The House begins debate on the budget on April 24. Please send a quick email to your State Representative's office to ask them to support funding for the environment. Thank you for standing with the AMC to protect our public lands and a healthy outdoors!

I am the Earth
And the Earth is me.
Each blade of grass,
Each honey tree,
Each bit of mud,
And stick and stone
Is blood and muscle,
Skin and bone. And just as I
Need every bit
Of me to make
My body fit,
So Earth needs
Grass and stone and tree
And things that grow here
Naturally. That's why we
Celebrate this day.
That's why across
The world we say:
As long as life,
As dear, as free,
I am the Earth
And the Earth is me. Happy Earth Day friends! Jane Yolen, a renowned author of children's books, wrote this lovely poem about Earth Day. Yolen was born in New York City and lived in Connecticut, but was educated right here in Western Massachusetts, at Smith College and UMASS Amherst. The message in her poem is beautiful and simple. We are stewards of this precious land and are an integral part of it. What will you do to help protect it for generations to come?

This photo was taken at the iconic Buttonball Tree in Sunderland, which is estimated to be about 350 years old. It is 113 feet tall and has a circumference of 25 feet!

In our Western MA Chapter, the Appalachian Trail Committee alone has 200 volunteers! We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers who make our chapter great. It literally would not exist without them. If you're looking for a way to volunteer with us, check out our website, where we have many volunteer opportunities listed. Currently, we have openings on the Executive Committee for a Vice Chair, a Membership Chair, 20s/30's Chair, and a Member-at-Large. We're also looking for volunteers to help with Conservation and Membership activities nd there are always opportunities to do trail maintenance.

VIEW QUIZ »

As outdoor enthusiasts, we are often looking for the "features" in a particular trip. Give me a waterfall or view any day! But in honor of Earth Day, I would like to spotlight the often-overlooked features: the dappled light through the trees; the forest's cycles; shapes and sounds; a new plant bursting from the soil; and the symbiotic relationship of all species. Macro and micro, awe-inspiring, all. As spring emerges, here's hoping you have many opportunities to get outdoors and seek out those special, little things Mother Nature shares with us. This month, we are sharing some information with you about the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center and all it has to offer, and asking you to help us celebrate National Volunteer Week and Earth Day, including an interactive quiz where you can test your knowledge of Earth Day trivia. See you outside! Diane Jones, Western MA Chapter Chair

AMC's Noble View Outdoor Center

The Noble View Outdoor Center sits atop a mountain in Russell with sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley. Originally owned by Albert Noble in the early to mid-1800's, it was acquired by AMC in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression. There's another reason they call it "Noble View." Elevated at nearly 1,100 feet above the Connecticut River Valley, Noble View provides spectacular views of cities, towns, and countryside in the lower Connecticut River Valley. Today you can spend the night in one of the updated cottages for a family reunion or special event, or on tent platforms surrounding a fire pit, and take in the incredible sunrise from the open hilltop just outside the cottages. Explore 12 miles of trails by foot, snowshoes, or Nordic skis. Many special events are held at Noble View, including monthly self-guided Storywalks^® for families. NOBLE VIEW OUTDOOR CENTER »

It's National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week 2023, which originally started in 1974 by Richard Nixon, is April 15-21. The AMC could not function without its thousands of volunteers, from Executive Committee members in each chapter, to activity leaders, trail maintainers, and conservation advocates. In our western MA Chapter, the Appalachian Trail Committee alone has 200 volunteers. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers who make our chapter great. It, literally, would not exist without them. If you are looking for a way to volunteer with us, check out our website, where we have many volunteer opportunities listed. On the Executive Committee, there is a need for a Vice Chair, a Membership Chair, a 20s/30s Chair and a Member-at-Large. We are also looking for volunteers to help with Conservation and Membership activities, and there are always opportunities to do trail maintenance. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES »

Earth Day 2023

This year, Earth Day 2023 is on Saturday, April 22nd. Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. It began in 1970 when Senator Gaylord Nelson declared the first Earth Day to raise national awareness of pollution. There were massive demonstrations around the country that eventually led to the development of the Environmental Protection Agency and decades of regulations to curb pollution. There are now countless initiatives to protect the environment, wildlife, and habitats, such as No Mow May (allows lawn flowers to grow so that pollinators have an early spring food source) and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Learn more about Earth Day and test your knowledge with our new interactive quiz! How will you celebrate Earth Day this year?

If passed, this bill will establish a working group comprised of people living with disabling conditions, trail professionals, and people concerned with the rights, health, and welfare of people with disabilities. The group will evaluate the current trail system, review best practices, as well as state and federal laws or requirements, engage the public to seek their feedback. Within one year of forming, the working group will produce a report of their findings. Click here to learn more and to find out how to contact your state representatives to support the bill.

Join the AMC DEI Speaker Series in welcoming Mardi Fuller, a lifelong backcountry adventurer, who in January 2021, became the first known Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire's high peaks in winter. Mardi will take us on a brief, but deep dive into understanding white supremacy and how it normalizes its own experiences, history, narratives and environmental ideology and keeps those operating out of its framework (and that can be people of any race) from seeing beyond it. She will also speak on her life of adventures as a Black outdoorswoman who has grown in her liberation-focused identity. We'll discuss barriers marginalized people face in accessing the outdoors and how their exclusion is detrimental to all people. We'll end by discussing solutions and how each of us can play a role in increasing equitable access to nature and outdoor activities. This event is over, but you can access the webinar resources here.

We have more rides scheduled so check out our website for upcoming activities. This photo was taken on the Canalside Rail Trail on a bridge over the Connecticut River in Turner's Falls.

Happy April friends! The temperatures are warming up and the days are getting longer, giving us more time to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to check out all the upcoming activities on our website. We have hikes, our first bike rides and paddling trips of the season, trail maintenance opportunities and more.

The scouts' efforts helped to clear numerous branches and other brush from the grounds after the winter storms. Heather Wyman, who coordinated the event and is on the Chapter's Conservation Committee, stated, "We were especially grateful for the help around the tent platforms, which is a heavily wooded area." Many thanks Troop 124 for your hard work!

WATCH VIDEO »

One of our Chapter's Executive Committee members, Dawne Piers-Gamble, will be representing the Chapter as she plunges into the frigid lake. What better way to help break down barriers to participation in outdoor recreation than to join us for a freezing cold dip in Upper Highland Lake at the DAR State Forest on April Fool's Day?!

Earth laughs in flowers. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Today is the vernal equinox, where we are enjoying equal amounts of daylight and darkness. Hopefully you can #beoutdoors and enjoy the beautiful spring weather coming our way.

WCYY »

NOBLE VIEW CARETAKER »

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY »

While the first day of spring is right around the corner, we are still celebrating winter with the recent snowstorms. Perhaps you've seen the daffodils peeking out from under the melting snow. Whether you're happy about the new snow or dreaming of spring, we have plenty of upcoming adventures, including a webinar entitled "Indigenous Voices in the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts". We'd love for you to check out our new website for details on this webinar and other activities. March is also Women's History Month. We can all take time to recognize women we know who have worked to improve our world and the outdoors, making them more accessible for all. There are many people making contributions who aren't recognized and don't demand to be, so it's important to highlight them. Here's to the amazing lives we'll discover! And, in honor of World Wildlife Day (March 3, 2023), we are providing a way for you to take action on an important bill to protect our precious bald eagles. Read on for more information on these topics, including our interactive quiz!

Indigenous Voices Webinar

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 7:00-8:30, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is hosting a webinar entitled Indigenous Voices from the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts. Native people have been living here in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts for more than 10,000 years. Their spirits, their memory, and their descendants are here living among us. Join the AMC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Speaker Series Webinar to view the film "Indigenous Voices" and discuss their stories with Liz Cold Wind Santana-Kiser, an Elder, Council Woman, and current Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians, and Film Producer Jennifer Lee of the Northern Narragansett tribe.

Save the Eagles

March 3rd was World Wildlife Day, so we thought this was a good time to make you aware of a new problem facing the bald eagle population in our state. If you've been lucky enough to see bald eagles flying around the lakes and rivers in western Massachusetts, you know what a pleasure it is to witness these majestic birds soaring overhead. Recently, Mass Audubon shared an article entitled Bald Eagles Are Dying. Rat Poison is to Blame. The article explains how eagles are now being threatened by the use of rat poison that gets into their prey, which can live for a while after ingesting the poison. The state legislature is considering a bill to regulate these pesticides. Learn more and find a quick action to reach your legislators to urge them to act on this important conservation issue.

Our New Website

We are very excited to announce that our brand new website was launched on February 16th. The website and its navigation are organized around AMC's mission to protect, enjoy, and understand the outdoors (see the top menu items for protection, recreation (enjoyment), and learning (understanding). Level 2 pages – accessed via menu dropdowns – show what our chapter does to support AMC's mission and the experiences and resources we offer in western Massachusetts. Use the home page to quickly see what's new, or visit our galleries, tiles, sortable lists, and pages from the top navigation bar for up-to-date information from our committees, including adventures, volunteer opportunities, and resources. Many thanks to our webmaster, Lisa Taylor, for countless hours developing the site!

Corridor monitors are volunteers who keep A.T. Corridor lands free from boundary encroachment and misuse. Duties include walking the property boundaries and lands off-trail a couple times per year following survey maps. The condition of the survey monuments and witness trees is recorded, along with any violations of accepted usage on Appalachian Trail lands. Volunteers should be fit for rugged off-trail hiking and will be trained one-on-one in the field in the use of survey maps, data recording, encroachment observation and follow-up. Multi-year commitment expected. Contact leader to discuss your interest in caring for the Appalachian Trail in this way.

THE TREK »

AMC »

THE TREK »

NOBLE VIEW CARETAKER »

If you've been lucky enough to see bald eagles flying around the lakes and rivers in Western Massachusetts, you know what a pleasure it is to see these majestic birds. This photo was taken recently by Ed Buckley in Southampton. Eagles are now being threatened by the presence of rat poison, which gets into their prey. The state legislature is considering a bill to regulate these pesticides. Learn more about An Act Relative to Pesticides and find out how to reach your legislators to urge them to act on this important conservation issue.

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of John Shuttleworth, a long-time AMC member and volunteer, last month. John was Chair of the Berkshire (now Western MA) Chapter of AMC in 1979 when the chapter took over management of the Appalachian Trail throughout Massachusetts. He helped negotiate this agreement between AMC and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (then the Appalachian Trail Conference) and define the extent of trail management and maintenance responsibilities. John attended AMC-wide Trails Committee meetings in the 1980s representing the Berkshire Chapter. He was an active volunteer at the Noble View Outdoor Center and enjoyed the facility long before electricity and other amenities arrived there. He continued involvement with the AMC for many years, joined organized hikes on the Appalachian Trail as long as he was able, and attended the annual Western MA A.T. Volunteer Gathering almost every year, including in May of 2022. Steve Smith, a long-time member of the Western MA A.T. Committee, remembers John well, saying, "He was an AMC friend of mine since the 1980s when I was involved in the White Mountain Trails program. He always came to the Trails Committee meetings representing the Berkshire Chapter. When I was leading the yearly A.T. Day walk from Route 20 to Goose Pond Road, he was a regular every year, even when he had a hard time walking. He was an example of the best old time AMC'er." Deb Weisenstein, who served as A.T. Committee chair from 2021-2022, also has many fond memories of John. "John was on a list of retired volunteers that we invited to the A.T. Volunteer Gathering every year, and he and his wife Inga almost always attended. I personally called John and invited him to the 2022 Gathering. He was delighted to attend and shared stories about his days at AMC and the formation of the Western MA A.T. Committee. A couple of weeks after the Gathering, he called me with thanks and told me how much he had enjoyed being there. The Western MA A.T. Committee is grateful for John's contributions to AMC and the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts and for his continued participation through so many years." We extend our sincerest condolences to John's family and will remember him with much gratitude for his long service to the AMC. There will be a memorial service Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Longmeadow, MA. See his obituary for details.

THE TREK »

WESTERN MA ACTIVITIES »