The Western MA Exchange Archive

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We appreciate each and every volunteer who makes a contribution to our Chapter, whether they are leading outings, joining one of our conservation projects, maintaining trails, or serving on our Executive Committee. The MVLs were chosen by their respective committee as someone who especially stood out this year in their volunteer efforts. Please take a moment to read about this year's MVLs on our volunteers page and their contributions to the Chapter's purpose and AMC mission.

While looking at the topics for this month's note to you, our members, I found myself feeling grateful for the reminder of who keeps this Chapter going now, and who kept it going throughout the years, and how. Please take a moment to read about this year's Most Valuable Leaders, recognizing those who especially stood out this year for their contributions to the Chapter's Purpose and the AMC Mission. Then, take a spin through time to see whose shoulders we're standing on, and the reminder of the decades of dedication and passion for the outdoors and our Chapter that came before us and shaped where we are now. It certainly provided perspective for me, and a dose of humility. Finally, mark your calendar for the fun – and free – Natural Holiday Decorations event on Saturday 12/2 at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center. Come out to smell the pine and see what you can create – I surprised myself last year! Read on for more details, and enjoy! See you outside! Diane Jones, Western MA Chapter Chair

Natural Holiday Decorations Workshop

Get in the holiday spirit by joining us for the annual Holiday Decoration Workshop on December 2, 2023 at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell at 11:00 am. This hands-on workshop will start with a meandering walk in the woods to find natural materials to make wreaths and swags to decorate your home. With your guides Nan and Laura, we'll listen to music and sip warm cider or hot chocolate while working on our green winter creations. All are welcome! Register for the workshop here.

Most Valuable Leaders of 2023

We would like to congratulate all of the Most Valuable Leaders (MVLs) of 2023 who were recognized at the Annual Business Meeting on November 2nd. We appreciate each and every volunteer who makes a contribution to our Chapter, whether they are leading outings, joining one of our conservation projects, maintaining trails, or serving on our Executive Committee. Our Chapter could literally not exist without them. The MVL's were chosen by their respective committee as a volunteer who especially stood out this year in their volunteer efforts. This year's MVL award recipients are: Warren Buhl - Appalachian Trail, Robin Maislin - Bicycling, Nancy Condon - Family Programs, Kayla Crowe - Mountaineering, Deb Weisenstein - JDEI, Lou Graham - NET, Roger Beer - Hiking, Mary Therese Durr - Paddling, Adam Jasionowski - Training and Education; Special Mention: Lisa Taylor - Webmaster, Robert Cherdack - outgoing Conservation Chair, Jeannette Pierce - Communications Chair. We are so grateful these valuable volunteers have chosen to share their skills, passion, and time with us!

AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter Timeline

As the year draws to a close, it's always nice to look back to see how far we have come. A new timeline was recently added to our website to give viewers a historical outline of our Chapter. Check it out to see a photo of Chapter members relaxing at the peak of Mt. Monadnock in 1940, or read about a hilarious story from the old Chapter newsletter about how the US Army moved into Noble View Outdoor Center. Or, see how the Chapter has developed over the years from its inception in 1929. If you have any old photos of Chapter activities that we could add, please send them to us at info@amc-wma.org.

See the Dark Festival

Join AMC for a weekend of stargazing as we celebrate dark skies! This is the first time that our renowned See the Dark Fesival will take place in NH. Scheduled around the new moon for optimal stargazing. All are welcome including families and children. Visitors who book a stay at the Highland Center will enjoy star themed dinners and desserts and evening presentations – all included. Reserve soon – AMC members get a discount!

The Double Blaze

Chapter 6: Safety on the Trail

I know, I was supposed to talk about "The History of the AT." However, a reader asked me if I would mind a few paragraphs on hiker health and safety. History can wait until next time. Outdoor safety is a broad topic, filled with variations for day hikers, thru hikers, mountaineers, etc. Since I'm an AT guy, I thought I should speak about what I know. Let's look at a person hiking the AT in Massachusetts, maybe out for the day or perhaps for a long weekend. What should they be considering when they load up their pack? I'm sure most of you are familiar with The 10 Essentials needed for safe hiking. In a recent article in Backpacker Magazine, Michael Lanza reported that the new seventh edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills modified the essentials into ten categories, rather than a hard-and-fast equipment list. This makes sense to me – it encourages a hiker to think about what will best suit that particular trip given the anticipated weather, terrain, and duration. Here are the "new" 10 Essentials categories:

1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing – and I would include rain/wind gear in this category)
4. Illumination (headlamp or flashlight)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (firestarter, matches/lighter)
7. Repair kit and tools (knife or multi-tool)
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter (I carry a small tarp, with some rope and tent stakes)

So now you've got some gear to carry. You've made some choices regarding local and seasonal usefulness as well as weight, and you are ready to hike. The biggest risk of personal injury is – hands down – the drive to and from the trailhead. (Followed closely by being alive in a moderately large town or city.) The statistical odds of personal injury on the trail are extremely small – we're not climbing Everest here, or even Mt. Washington. What else should you keep in mind? Let's look at some categories of risk that you may have to manage on our local AT.

Personal Safety

Unfortunately, there are people in the world who prey on those they perceive to be weaker than themselves. Fortunately, there are very few of them in the backcountry. The best defense in this category is to be aware of what's going on around you. Trust your instincts about people and situations. If you are getting a negative vibe from someone, take measures to get away from that person or stay in the company of other hikers. If there is overt activity or threatening behavior, report it to the Mass. State Police as soon as possible, and be specific about the time and location. In our society, females are more likely than males to be the object of unwanted attention. I have met in my day many female solo hikers. Universally they say that an attitude of self-confidence and good social awareness carry them through most situations. Be vague about your schedule and overnight stops. Be prepared to change your itinerary to suit the situation. Spend overnights in a group or well away from road crossings and trailheads.

Natural Threats

In the past 10 years there seems to be an ever-increasing number of diseases you can contract in the backcountry. In the past, a mosquito or tick bite was at worst an annoyance. Today, it makes some sense to limit your exposure to these possible disease carriers. As of this writing, Lyme Disease, carried by deer ticks, is a universal threat in open fields of southern New England and eastern New York. If you will be hiking in this area, take some simple precautions: Wear long pants – lightweight nylon ones are comfortable, even in the summer. Put your socks up over your pant cuffs. Spray your clothes with Permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions, and wear a repellent containing DEET. At the end of the day, check yourself for ticks. It takes 24 to 36 hours for a tick to transfer enough bacteria to infect you. If you have been bitten, see your doctor for prompt treatment. The CDC web page has extensive info on Lyme Disease. The other hot-button disease is the insect-borne West Nile Virus (WNV). This disease is carried by certain species of mosquito, most of which are not regular denizens of backcountry environments. It is unlikely a virus-carrying one will bite you while in the woods, and the risk of debilitating injury from WNV in healthy people is extremely slight. Statistically, people over 50 have a slightly higher risk. DEET is the most effective repellent and adverse side effects are greatly exaggerated – especially for the occasional user. Read the manufacturer's instructions, particularly regarding use on small children. Again, the CDC has some excellent info. Enough about six- and eight-legged denizens of the woods. How about the vertebrates? In southwestern Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut a small population of rattlesnakes inhabit the vicinity of the AT. There have been a few reported encounters between hiker and snake, and both parties survived unhurt. If you plan to go off-trail in these areas, be careful when climbing rocky ledges and always look where you are placing your hands and feet. Everyone asks, "Are there any bears out there?" The answer is, "Yes, there are quite a few." The standing joke is that the bears are all in town looking in garbage cans, not in the woods looking for hikers. There is a certain lesson here. Bears go where there is food. They have excellent memories and will return to a place where they have foraged successfully before – be it a bird feeder in Stockbridge or a shelter site on the AT. The answer in both instances is the same. Put the food where the bear can't get to it. At several shelter sites we have placed cables that allow hikers to hang their food out of reach of bears and away from the shelter. Since bears will investigate anything that smells, I also put things like toothpaste, cook stove and utensils, and first aid supplies in my bear bag too. And remember, don't eat in your tent or sleeping bag. Most bears do not want to interact with humans and will stay clear of hikers. Injured or sick bears may behave abnormally, but the odds are incalculably small that you will have an aggressive encounter. (Remember that drive to the trail head when some #$%!@ in an SUV cut you off?). There are millions of hikers on the AT and the trail traverses some dense bear populations. Many hikers travel the entire length without seeing a single bear. No hikers on the AT have reported being attacked or injured. There are many resources that describe how to keep your food secure from bears and other critters. It is important to you – and hikers who come after you – not to do anything that habituates wildlife to acquiring food at camping sites. Finally, if you are out for more than a day, water treatment becomes a significant route for pathogens to enter your system. Even if I'm out for just the day, I pack a bottle of water treatment tablets just in case. If you are using a filter to purify water, be sure to understand how to use it and take scrupulous care to keep the intake and discharge hoses and attachments separate. Remember, even if the stream or spring looks pristine, there could be a deer carcass lying in it 100 yards upstream. Treat all water from backcountry sources. Wash your hands after visiting the privy, just like your mother used to tell you (a small bottle of hand sanitizer works well).

Accident and Injury

OK, so here's where we get to the real threats for AT hikers. It's hot, it's cold, it's windy. Protect yourself from these extremes. Wear clothing suitable for the weather and terrain as well as your physical condition. I usually figure I should be a bit chilly at the trailhead, knowing I will warm up once underway. In the winter, being too warm can often lead quickly to being too cold. Sweat-soaked clothes will cool you rapidly once you stop moving, no matter what kind of fibers they are made from. In the warm months, allow some cool-down time. After that climb, stop and rest in the shade or breeze. Stay hydrated. Adjust your pace to the conditions (i.e., hike slower when it's hot out). The biggest downer on a summer's hike is chafing. Those of us who are a little on the plus size find that rubbing body parts, clothing and sweat can create a painful condition. As gross as it sounds, I find spreading a little Vaseline on the affected skin areas before the hike keeps things moving smoothly. A product called "Body Glide" is also used for the same purpose by cyclists and long distance runners. Once in camp, rinse the affected area to get rid of the sweat and provide an opportunity for air circulation to keep the parts dry. It never hurts to carry a little Immodium, Pepto Bismol, Benadryl, Ibuprofen and other similar OTC products with you. Sometimes an hour's relief can be a big help in getting back to the trailhead. Wear shoes and socks that fit and are well broken in. A twelve-mile hike is not the way to test your new hiking boots. Compeed and other similar wound-care products work well in keeping hot spots from becoming blisters. They are thin, porous, and stick well to sweaty feet. Take the time to stop and deal with the problem early. Next to a bad chafe, nothing ruins the hike like a blister. The most common trail injury is to lower leg joints, such as knees and ankles. Travel within your capabilities. Don't set so tight a schedule that you must hurry over rough terrain. Hiking poles will reduce the likelihood of a fall and lessen the load on the lower body. Please use the rubber tips whenever possible to limit trailside damage and unsightly scratches on rocks. Most of the time a sprained or twisted ankle can be patched up enough in the field to get to the nearest road crossing. You know where that is, of course, because you carry your map with you and know your approximate location on it. This brings up the discussion of hiking alone. The sensible person will not hike alone. Even two people hiking together can find themselves in a sticky situation if one of them is seriously injured. Should the uninjured person stay and care for the injured one or go for help? On the Mass AT, this issue is maybe not such a problem. Except mid-week in the worst weather, one is very unlikely not to see another hiker on the trail, especially in the warmer half of the year. Not that one should "depend on the kindness of strangers" to provide rescue. Every hiker should carry enough in their pack and in their head to survive a night in the outdoors. Chilly, uncomfortable, perhaps even a little hungry – but still around in the morning. Since you left info with another person about your route and schedule – you did, didn't you? – you will probably find people looking for you by then. Consider taking a Wilderness First Aid course. Two weekend days can make a world of difference to your personal confidence in the outdoors. The course focuses on ways you can use common hik- ing equipment to render first aid in a backcountry situation without carrying the medicine cabinet with you. So we're a little off-topic here this time, but hopefully there is information to make your next hike more enjoyable. A little forethought before leaving, and a slightly conservative approach regarding your own physical condition and skills will make for safe hiking. Get out there and enjoy it! 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.

Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address is an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and her inhabitants. The children learn that, according to Native American tradition, people everywhere are embraced as family. Our diversity, like all wonders of Nature, is truly a gift for which we are thankful. When one recites the Thanksgiving Address the Natural World is thanked, and in thanking each life-sustaining force, one becomes spiritually tied to each of the forces of the Natural and Spiritual World. The Thanksgiving Address teaches mutual respect, conservation, love, generosity, and the responsibility to understand that what is done to one part of the Web of Life, we do to ourselves.

Greetings to the Natural World

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms‐waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Source: Wabanaki Reach

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, you can join a virtual screening of two important films, Upstander Project's Bounty and Reciprocity Project Season One's Weckuwapok (The Approaching Dawn) on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 7:00-8:30 PM.

Upstander Project's Bounty: Part of our Dawnland film series, this film reveals the hidden story of the Phips Proclamation, one of many scalp-bounty proclamations used to exterminate Native people in order to take their land in what is now New England. Reciprocity Project Season One's Weckuwapok: On these traditional homelands, Waponahkik (the people of the dawn land) bring gratitude to the sun where it first looks our way. Song and stories invite us to accept the new day and put behind us any harm done the day before. These are relational lessons shared from ancestors since time immemorial. There will be a post-screening live Q&A with filmmakers Maulian Bryant and Adam Mazo moderated by Institute for New England Native American Studies Director, Cedric Woods. Register here.

Join us for our annual holiday decorations workshop on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell. This hands on workshop will start with a meandering walk in the woods to find natural materials for wreaths and swags which we will create for holiday decorating. With your guides Nan and Laura, we'll listen to music and sip warmed cider or hot chocolate while working on our green winter creations. Everyone is welcome.

Wonderful hike with the Tuesday Hikers up Stratton Mountain to Richardson's Cabin on the New England Trail. Lots of views of Mt. Monadnock, Mt. Grace, and Mt. Wachusett to the east and Mt. Ascutney to the west. Want to join us on a hike? See our Chapter Activities page for upcoming outings. View more photos on our Facebook page.

The 2023-2024 MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda includes 5 priorities: Remove Racist Mascots, Honor Indigenous People's Day, Celebrate and Teach Native American Cultures & History, Protect Native American Heritage, and Support the Education and Futures of Native Youth. Please urge your state legislators to co-sponsor these 5 important bills today!

We appreciate each and every volunteer who makes a contribution to our Chapter, whether leading outings, galvanizing support for conservation efforts, maintaining trails, or promoting Chapter activities. Our Chapter could literally not exist without them. The MVL's demonstrated consistent efforts throughout the year for their respective committees. We are so grateful they have chosen to share their skills, passion, and time with us!

Last Saturday's Third Annual Westfield River Clean Up was an enormous success! Thirteen volunteers joined organizer, Heather Wyman from our Conservation Committee, as they cleaned up the trash along the Westfield River in West Springfield, an area used as an encampment. Inspired by past Westfield Watershed Committee member Dianne, this annual event not only helps keep the river and its banks free of trash, it also creates a welcoming space for local residents to visit. Yesterday was also the first time one of the encampment residents joined the group in the cleanup. He is a younger gentleman named Benny who works full time, but has lived along the river in camp sites after losing his home. He was surprised at how much trash was generated. We were also joined by our beloved Jack, who walks from Springfield to do these cleanups. It was truly a remarkable day with great weather and wonderful people! Many thanks to all the volunteers who came out to help! See more photos on our Facebook page.

Bring the kids up to Noble View to explore the trails and celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a Storywalk^®. This month's Storywalk^® at Noble View is "Keepunumuk: Weeachumun's Thanksgiving Story" by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry and Alexis Bunten. In this story, two children from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn about weeachumum (corn) and the first Thanksgiving, as told in Native tradition. The authors represent the Mashpee Wampanoag, Chicksaw and Yu'pik Unangan tribes.

Native American Heritage Month, takes place in the U.S. each November. Events and exhibits held throughout the country celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the people who are the original inhabitants, explorers, and settlers of the land now called the United States. Use our interactive map to find events, exhibits, and trails in and around Massachusetts and learn how you can participate. This photo was taken on the Hoosac Range Trail on the Mohawk Trail (Route 2) in North Adams, the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people.

Peggy has been a member of the AMC for 25+ years. She donates generously to AMC with monetary resources and her time. She organizes one fourth of the yearly Western MA Chapter Tuesday Hikes, recruiting leaders and coordinating the Anniversary Hike and celebration, which just celebrated 24 years! Peggy loves attending our in-person Annual Meetings and other events featuring speakers who enrich her knowledge of the natural world. She's volunteered at Noble View for more than 10 years and was a volunteer member of the Noble View Committee who kept the facility running "back in the day". Peggy is a world-wide traveler and enriches the lives of local chapter members and the community with her knowledge and appreciation for the many diverse cultures and countries she has visited. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer and a deserving recipient of the 2023 Appie!

Shorter days and cooler temps are here, but we still lead outings every week, including a hike every Tuesday morning. Visit our activities page to see all of our upcoming outings and volunteer opportunities.

There are three camps we will be working on clearing, including remaining trash at "The Bunker". The city will provide trash bags, the WRWA will provide gloves and grabbers, and the Western MA AMC will provide water and light snacks. Masks to wear working around trash will also be provided. Drop-ins welcome, but we do appreciate an RSVP to let us know who to expect as all participants must sign a waiver - available at the event. AMC ACTIVITIES »

In this presentation, UMass Amherst PhD. Candidate Sebastian Moreno will share his relationship with nature and the barriers he faced growing up. Mr. Moreno studies avian and urban ecology and the human dimensions of wildlife, focusing on environmental and social justice. He is a co-program coordinator for Latino Outdoors Western Massachusetts. Mr. Moreno will discuss the importance of engaging the public in scientific work while acknowledging biases that currently exist in citizen science. He will also highlight efforts by various organizations that create welcoming and safe spaces for historically marginalized groups to enjoy the outdoors and actively engage with nature. The Allen Bird Club is a nonprofit organization that has been bringing Greater Springfield area birders together since 1912. For more information, please visit AllenBirdClub.org. This presentation is open to the public free of charge.

If you follow the Pitcher Brook Trail from the parking lot, you'll find Little Pitcher Falls and Big Pitcher Falls, then head back to the parking lot on Laurel Lane, for a perfect 3 mile loop. Be sure to make your way to the cottages to see that gorgeous view to the east. Learn more about Noble View or view our trail map. View more photos on Facebook.

Please join us! Our AMC Western MA Annual Business Meeting will be held virtually (online) on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We'll share the year's accomplishments, vote on officers and committee chairs (AMC members only), and hear from AMC Headquarters about what's happening in the Club. View the slate of ExCom officers for 2024. Any five Chapter members desiring to place an additional candidate in nomination may do so by sending an email to chair@amc-wma.org no later than five days before the Annual Meeting. Please include a nomination description stating the office to be filled, the proposed candidate, the reasons for nomination, and written verification of consent from the nominee to serve if elected. Our special guest speaker will be author Nancy Condon. Nancy wrote Paddle for Water: Canoeing Across America with a Message and a Man I Never Intended to Marry, about her cross-country canoe trip following the waterways traveled by Lewis and Clark with her now-husband, Tom. She will share her harrowing journey as they traveled 5,000 miles across the U.S. by canoe. Register for the meeting here. AMC ACTIVITIES »

How fortunate we are to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country as the cooler temperatures and shorter days create a gorgeous palette of red, orange, and yellow! It is also signaling an end to the year as we prepare for our annual business meeting in early November. We will be reflecting on all the accomplishments of the committees in 2023 and voting in new members on the Executive Committee. We appreciate all the support we get from you, our members, by participating in adventures, maintaining trails, joining webinars, and following us on our social media platforms. November also brings us National Native American History Month and we have some resources to share with you. And, if you're looking for opportunities to give back to the outdoor community, continue reading for some ways you can get involved in the Chapter.

Annual Business Meeting

Please join us! Our AMC Western MA Annual Business Meeting will be held virtually (online) on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We will get together and share all the accomplishments of the committees, vote on officers and committee chairs, and hear from the AMC headquarters about what's happening in the Club. The 2024 Executive Committee slate can be found here, and any five Chapter members desiring to place an additional candidate in nomination may do so by sending an email to the Chair no later than five days before the Annual Meeting, a nomination paper stating the office to be filled, the proposed candidate, and written verification of consent from the nominee to serve if elected. We also have a special guest speaker, Nancy Condon. Nancy wrote a book called "Paddle for Water: Canoeing Across America with a Message and a Man I Never Intended to Marry", which is about her cross-country canoe trip following the waterways traveled by Lewis and Clark with her now-husband, Tom. She will share her harrowing journey as they traveled 5000 miles across the US by canoe. Register for the meeting here.

National Native American History Month

November is a time we love to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings, football games and pumpkin pie. But, it is also the perfect time to reflect on the history of our land, and remember that we are not the first inhabitants, and that the story of Thanksgiving that we were taught as children is not an accurate account of what happened as Europeans came across the ocean and landed in Massachusetts. It's a great time to learn more about what actually happened and to listen to the voices of the indigenous people who still live here. Our website has a trove of resources on our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page regarding the Native American history in western Massachusetts, including a video, "Indigenous Voices from the Connecticut River Valley", where you can hear from present-day native Americans who live and work here.

Volunteer Opportunities in the Chapter

Match your skills to one of our open volunteer roles, and join us in making a difference for people and nature! We'd love to add your talents and enthusiasm to help keep the AMC Western MA Chapter a vibrant part of the outdoors in our community. Find out more or express your interest by dropping a line to info@amc-wma.org. You can also check out the volunteer page on our website. Current volunteer opportunities on the Executive Committee:

• Member at Large
• Membership Chair/Co-Chair
• Conservation Chair/Co-Chair
• Secretary
• Hiking/Outings Chair

There's a four mile accessible road around two reservoirs, suitable for walkers, joggers, strollers, wheelchairs and bicyclists. Sorry, dogs are not allowed. Parking is available at the Elks Lodge on Whitney Avenue in Holyoke. Check it out while we still have leaves on the trees. View more photos on Facebook.

The Double Blaze

Chapter 5: Preserving the AT Experience

Sometime this summer come on out to my neck of the woods (the real "western" Massachusetts). Take a hike on the AT. Stop at a shelter or trailhead and ask those who come along to tell you what the "AT Experience" is. I have no doubt you will get a wide number of answers, varying from the rhapsodic to the incomprehensible. Just how does one define something as intangible as one's experience in the outdoors? Despite the different responses, I think we can all come to some similar conclusions about what makes a positive outdoor experience. It might include interesting geological features, unique or undisturbed habitats, an absence of the trappings and reminders of "civilization," or a trail that is appropriate to the terrain it crosses. Others might add that the experience is also highly dependent upon one's hiking companions or people one might meet on the trail. Here in New England at least, we also often want a trail that "takes us someplace" – to a summit, waterfall, glen, or other destination. As we hike, we don't usually think about these qualities – unless something comes along to disturb them. Do we need to define this experience on the AT? Thirty years ago, when the Federal government decided to purchase land to protect the AT, the enabling legislation couldn't just say, "buy the land that surrounds the AT." The government needed to know about the AT: whether the Trail was in its optimum location, how much land was needed, and where the land lay. So here is some really great prose from "Definition and Purpose of the AT" that was worked out between the National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Conference, and the maintaining clubs. "The Appalachian Trail is a way, continuous from Maine to Georgia, for travel on foot through the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral, and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a means of sojourning among these lands, such that visitors may experience them by their own unaided efforts." So here we have the official description of what the AT encompasses: It describes the landscape (wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral), the means of visiting these lands (own unaided sojourning), and the method (continuous foot travel). All the efforts of the managing partners are directed toward establishing and preserving this ideal. The 89 miles of Trail in Massachusetts that the Berkshire Chapter's AT Committee is responsible for represents a little more than 4% of the Trail's total mileage. And, because of the stated description of the AT's purpose and the trail-wide effort that supports it, the AT experience in Massachusetts is similar to that in most other states. Certainly there are regional differences, and the terrain and ecologies along the Trail vary, but the experience is remarkably consistent from Springer to Katahdin. At a recent ATC meeting, participants were asked to define the "ideal" AT experience ten years into the future. Comment were wide ranging, but words like "Primitive, Solitude, Quiet, Natural, Continuous, Challenging, Good Views," and "Safe" (from other humans) were frequently used. Some of these desired attributes are achieved by routing the trail onto appropriate lands and providing a wide corridor of protected property. Since nearly 100% of trail corridor lands are now legally protected against inappropriate use, I think the prospects are good for retaining and improving the attributes we can physically manage. We are finding, however, that air pollution and unwanted sound are becoming an increasing threat and have no respect for boundary lines. Some change is beyond our direct control. There was a time when Chestnut trees dominated much of the woods the Trail passes through. There will probably be a time in the future when the Hemlock that characterize so much of the AT in our state will no longer exist. Elements such as these are pretty much beyond our ability to manage. However, we can make choices and efforts to preserve the physical Trail. Our actions can range from cleaning waterbars keeping the Trail from eroding, to vigorously patrolling the land the AT traverses and reporting any misuse. We can also act to mitigate adverse regional effects by using fewer fossil fuels in our everyday activities. Other attributes of the Trail listed at our recent meeting are not directly a part of the physical space through which the Trail moves. They are connected directly to the personal conduct of people using the Trail. I'm talking about what teachers of my generation called "Deportment." I know you are reading this and saying, "it's not me, it's those others out there." Pause a minute and reflect on your last two or three hikes:

• Did you plan your route and bring appropriate clothing and equipment?
• Were there less than 10 of you, including leaders?
• Did your group yield to oncoming hikers?
• Did you carpool to and from the trailhead?
• Were you quiet on the trail and in camp?
• Did you camp or take breaks on durable or already disturbed surfaces?
• Did you build a fire?
• Did your burn your trash in the fire ring?
• Did you put anything into the privy that you didn't eat or drink first (other than toilet paper)?

I'd like to believe, readers, that you truthfully answered "yes" to the first six and "no" to the last three. Why is this so important? Any of you who have hiked on "our" AT know large numbers of people use it. Trail-wide the estimated numbers are in the millions. Even in unpleasant conditions it is rare not to meet at least another hiker or two every day – and many more when the weather is benign. Hikers can have the greatest negative impact on the Trail, and it's not just the physical results of thousands of tramping feet, hundreds of tents and sleeping pads, and uncounted gallons of human waste, either. The idea of sojourning in wild and scenic lands is put to the test when one is regularly confronted with one's fellow human beings and their actions. Even if you are alone on the trail, your actions will affect the experience of others who come after you. A couple of years ago the ATC decided to adopt "Leave No Trace" (LNT) as an official policy of trail use and personal conduct. LNT is a series of principles to guide, inform and inspire responsible outdoor use. The non-profit Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has developed these principles and offers courses to outdoor users, trip leaders, and LNT trainers. (See information on Leave No Trace course at Noble View, page 8.) There are seven basic principles that go a bit beyond the "Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures" and the "Carry in, carry out" messages we are used to hearing. Although we seem to be beset with an ever increasing proliferation of rules and regulations for backcountry use, the ones developed by the LNT folks make a good deal of sense, and I encourage you to take them to heart:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

If the majority of AT users follow these principles, we all can have a positive experience on the trail. Without them, I believe we will find hiking the AT to be more and more like being in town and less and less like wild and scenic sojourning. 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.

Participants hiked, played drums, danced, sang, wrote, cooked, meditated and listened to a guest speaker. The sun came up Sunday for a brilliant day to wrap up the activities. See all the photos on Facebook.

Join us on Sunday, October 22 for Westfield River Watershed's Meet and Greet at the Glendale Ridge Vineyard in Southampton, MA. Hang out with Author Nancy Condon and several other Conservation groups who work with the Westfield River Watershed. Light appetizers will be provided. Food trucks and drinks are separate. All are welcome! RSVP to this email as SPACE IS LIMITED.

Join us at the Annual Connecticut River Cleanup on October 14 at Pynchon Point in Agawam. This event is hosted by the Westfield River Watershed Committee and the Connecticut River Conservancy. The cleanup takes place by the riverside and alongside the paved pedestrian walkway for those with mobility issues. Email Heather at conservation@amc-wma.org if interested in helping out.

The Tuesday Hiking Group held their 24th anniversary hike and celebration at Chesterfield Gorge today under partly sunny skies. The group hiked about 3 miles down the dirt road along the East Branch of the Westfield River and back, then enjoyed a pot luck lunch at the parking lot. This group has been hiking every Tuesday for 24 years, with a short break during the pandemic. To join these hikes, go to the Chapter Activities page and click or tap on the Hiking button to view upcoming outings. All are welcome! View more photos from the anniversary hike on our Facebook page.

MASSLIVE »

Training includes:

• Activity planning and management
• Screening of potential participants for an activity
• Risk management & leader liability, including AMC's leadership requirements and guidelines
• Leadership approaches (formerly styles)
• People skills including group dynamics, interpersonal communication, and feedback
• AMC Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and accident scene management
• Leave No Trace & Conservation programs
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

For those who wish to become a Chapter leader, an additional four-hour outdoor course, scheduled by activity area, will be required. In this second part of the leadership training course, participants will engage in role plays and apply the techniques and knowledge learned during part one of the course in an outdoor environment. Training is free!  »

AMC TIMELINE »

WASHINGTON POST »

The 24th Annual Anniversary Hike will take place at Chesterfield Gorge on October 10, 2023, 9:30-1:30. This show-and-go hike includes a 3-mile stretch on a woods road next to the Westfield River to our elevenses (too early for lunch) spot beside the river. After a leisurely break, we will return to the starting point/picnic area for a social hour celebration. All are welcome. For those wishing to join us for munchies and more, you are welcome to meet us on our return around noon at the picnic tables. Hikers need to be prepared for seasonal conditions depending on the weather. Poles are optional as this is a gently sloping or flat road. AMC ACTIVITIES »

See what our committees have been up to over the last month.

A.T. Management

Most recent A.T. Committee meeting: 2023-Aug-28 ✧ Next A.T. Committee meeting: 2023-11-06 ✧ Wildlife transects scheduled - 28-Oct-2023 ✧ Corridor monitoring - ongoing ✧ Dead tree removal at Upper Goose Pond Cabin - completed ✧ Bridging project on A.T. just south of Old Adams Rd: 20 new/replaced bridges installed ✧ Recent accomplishments and management issues: seven members certified in Wilderness and Remote First Aid and three new B-level sawyers ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs: natural heritage monitors, corridor monitors, shelter coordinator, secretary, committee member/under-studies

Bicycling

There are no more bicycling activities scheduled for 2023. By early March 2024, we'll have new activities posted for next year's season on the Western MA bicycling webpage

Communications

Facebook: 26 posts (top post - Hunting Season is Here) ✧ Instagram: 20 posts (top post: Come Join Our Team!) ✧ Newsletters: 1433 messages sent ✧ Website: new online newsletter posted

Family Programs

A new StoryWalk^® – The Apple Pie Tree – was added September 15th. It is a self-guided walk in collaboration with the Hilltown Family Center ✧ AMC Noble View FallFest was the venue for 4 family-friendly activities: guided StoryWalk^® & scavenger Hunt, slackline, apple picking, and pumpkin craft ✧ Also at FallFest: youths participated in a waterfall hike and D. Piers-Gamble co-led the morning paddle on Russell Pond

Hiking

Trips: Sept. 5th Greylock A.T. with Josh; Sept. 12th Pisgah State Forest with Margot; Sept. 19th N & S Sugarloaf with Debi; Sept. 26 Little Known Trails in Leeds with Jan; Sept. 30 Goose Pond with Josh; Sept. 30 TrailFest hikes with Laura (families), Dave (adults, moderate) Alex and Zenya (20 & 30's) and Kathy (adults, easy) ✧ Recent activity and plans: TrailFest activities - thanks to all the hike leaders who attended and lead hikes, with special thanks to Alice for tabling. We continue to work on Women's Weekend and sending new materials to the webmaster on leaders.

NET Management

Last NET Committee meeting was 18-Sep-2023 ✧ Next NET Committee meeting is 16-Oct-2023 ✧ New NET Coordinator M. Maistelman has begun her new position. She brings lots of enthusiasm and energy as well as extensive trail maintenance knowledge (grip hoist/bridge building/turnpike construction etc.) ✧ L. Graham attended Axe Training at AMC Camp Dodge. He reported it was a great training opportunity to learn new skills ✧ There is an adopter vacancy on Section 10 – possible replacements are being assessed ✧ J. Sambrook – Adopter & Shelter Coordinator has resigned from the Committee, but will continue as adopter on Section 3. The committee is currently recruiting to backfill this important role ✧ The Committee Chair staffed the NET table at AMC FallFest

Paddling

Previous meeting: 2023-09-26; next meeting: 2024-Feb-06 ✧ D. Piers-Gamble completed her second co-lead and is now a qualified paddling leader ✧ Our moonlight paddle on Russell Pond the evening of FallFest was a success! Lead by D. Weisenstein, B. Wieler, and D. Piers-Gamble, we had glowsticks on both ends of each boat. No visible moon but cloudy moonlight did reflect off the water. ✧ Our morning paddle on Russell Pond for FallFest, September 30, was lead by B. Wieler and D. Weisenstein. Frogs and turtles made appearances. Many thanks to Moses Scout Reservation at Russell Pond for use of their facilities, rental kayaks, and canoes. ✧ D. Piers-Gamble and D. Weisenstein paddled in the All Out Adventures Kayak-a-thon on Sept 10 to support this local non-profit with whom we partner for disability access to outdoor programming ✧ B. Wieler and D. Weisenstein staffed a Paddling table at FallFest ✧ Volunteers are needed for paddle leaders and committee members! ✧ Scheduled flatwater paddling events: Noble View Women's Weekend paddle on Russell Pond, Oct 8. View all upcoming activities here.

Training and Education

Ongoing planning continues for new training classes

See all the FallFest photos on Facebook. A huge shout out to Nan Mack - Noble View caretaker, and Laura Stinnette - Family Programs Chair for spearheading the event, and the countless volunteers who worked hard to put together this event, including trip leaders, committee chairs, and the Westfield State Conservation Club members who came to help out. We could not do this without your help!

Jeannette - our Communications Chair - has single-handedly given us a prominent presence on social media, posting several times a week on Instagram and Facebook. She's always looking for ways to promote what our Chapter does, and collaborates regularly with committees to highlight their accomplishments. Her contributions are timely, relative, well-written, and greatly appreciated. Additionally, she provides most of the photographs that grace our website, which make our pages stand out. Without them we would be just another website. Which we aren't! Thank you, Jeannette, SO much for your contributions to our chapter! We could not do it without you! Read Jeannette's bio and meet some of our other volunteers here.

WESTERN MA EXCHANGE »

As humans exponentially experience increasing levels of separation, how do we find belonging and connection when so many of our needs are available at the touch of a screen from a tiny computer in our pocket or wristwatch? How do we remember that we ARE nature in a world that prioritizes disposability and artificiality? Join Tam Willey for an exploration into what it means to coexist as an Earthling in 2023. Learn how the simple yet radical act of leaning into the sensations of being alive can help us remember our interconnectedness, and help us to tend to the shared global sufferings that come with living in a modern industrialized civilization.  »

Learn more about what we do in the areas of conservation, membership, activities, organization, projects, and leadership, and how you can join us and make a difference. Let us know what grabs you by dropping a note to info@amc-wma.org. We'd love to chat with you!

Get ready to celebrate all things fall with the AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter on September 30, 2023 at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center from 10:00 - 4:00. There will be a variety of guided and self-guided activities including hikes, morning and moonlight paddles on Russell Pond, and bike rides, as well as demonstrations, information tables, music, and of course, food. A BBQ lunch will be served from 12:00 - 2:00, as well as popcorn and cider throughout the day. Family activities will be offered including a StoryWalk, pumpkin craft and games. A suggested donation of per family includes BBQ lunch, access to activities, and free one-year membership for first-time members. Registrants have an option to select a different registration fee. Click or tap here for details and to register.  »

It's hard to say when I started thinking about becoming an AMC hike leader. Maybe in the 90s when I would regularly volunteer to be the "sweep" for local hikes/walks. Later on, I found myself wanting to facilitate hiking for those who might otherwise not hike, especially women, and combine it with some other complementary skills. And I always loved sharing the places I discovered with other outdoor lovers. The pull got stronger when I moved to western Massachusetts ten years ago, with so many trails nearby and wonders at every turn. In 2018, at age 57, I finally signed up for leadership training, knowing that an AMC certification would give me skills, confidence, and credentials. Being an AMC leader has helped me get to know trails I might never have discovered, and it brings me the joy of helping others Be Outdoors! Read on for your opportunity to join our ranks and add your uniqueness as an AMC activity leader, as well as about our delightful new web newsletter (shout out to our Communications team!!) and how you can add your passion and perspectives to help keep our Chapter growing and vibrant. See you outside! Diane Jones, Western MA Chapter Chair

Come Join Our Team!

Would you like to channel your skills and passion for the outdoors to contribute to your AMC Western MA Chapter? Together, we provide recreation and conservation activities throughout the region, while collaborating in the spirit of teamwork and fun, and volunteers make it all happen! Learn more about what we do in the areas of conservation, membership, activities, organization, projects, and leadership, and how you can join us and make a difference. Let us know what grabs you by dropping a note to info@amc-wma.org. We'd love to chat with you!

Upcoming Leadership Training Opportunity

Whether you'd like to become a Chapter leader, or just want to improve your outdoor leadership skills, you're invited to attend AMC's Leadership Training on Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 9:00 am to 4:00 PM in Greenfield. The training is free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about leading in the outdoors; AMC membership not required. The comprehensive training includes:

• Activity planning and management
• Screening of potential participants
• Risk management, including AMC's Leadership Requirements & Guidelines
• Leadership approaches
• People skills, including group dynamics, interpersonal communication, and feedback
• AMC Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and accident scene management
• Leave No Trace (LNT) and conservation
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

This training is followed up by a half day of leadership training scenarios where participants will engage in role plays and apply the techniques and knowledge learned during part one of the course in an outdoor environment. If you choose to be an AMC leader, then your next step is a mentorship with a certified AMC leader. For more information and to register click here.

New Chapter Online Newsletter

Want to know everything that is currently happening in the Chapter with one glance? You can now go to the Western MA Exchange, our new online newsletter, to see upcoming activities, Facebook posts, summaries of committee accomplishments from the past month, and volunteer opportunities. There is also a link to previous issues in our archives, so past information is easily accessible, and sometimes surprising! Bookmark this page to keep updated about the goings-on in the Chapter as they evolve.

Guided Family Forest Scavenger Hunt
September 30, 2023 Join us at FallFest from 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM for a family-fun session of nature bingo, where everyone of all ages is welcome to participate in an easy walk in the woods. Let's go exploring! This event will be led by Massachusetts DCR Climate Forester, Christina McKeown. We will meet at the info/registration table. Then stay for the FallFest celebration including a BBQ lunch and tons of fun activities including music, crafts, games, demonstrations and much more. This event has ended, but we have lots of new adventures coming up! See our activities page for upcoming activities.

This walk is intended for adults and older children and will be on primarily flat or easy terrain. Then stay for the BBQ lunch and fun activities in the afternoon, including music, games, and crafts. This event has ended, but we have lots of new adventures coming up! See our activities page for upcoming activities.

BERKSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM »

CRC »

Participants learned about the history of the forest, the effects of climate change, and threats from non-native species. View more photos on Facebook.

MASSLIVE »

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HIKES »

NOBLE VIEW OUTDOOR CENTER »

See what our committees have been up to during the waning days of the summer.

A.T. Management

Scheduled upcoming wildlife transects ✧ Corridor monitoring continues ✧ Summer project schedule (trail work, maintenance, and monitoring activities) is winding down ✧ Have three new B-level sawyers ✧ Volunteer monitors (natural heritage and corridor) and a shelter coordinator are needed

Bicycling

West Connecticut River Valley Ride (19-Aug-2023) ✧ Berkshires- Great Barrington to Mill River Ride (20-Aut-2023) ✧ Turners Falls to Northfield (26-Aug-2023) ✧ September's bike rides are listed in the AMC's activities database and on the Western MA bicycling webpage

Communications

August was a great month for the Communications Team! We saw big increases in some of the data that we are tracking, such as Facebook and Instagram interactions and website views ✧ Posted 17 items on Facebook ✧ Posted 12 items on Instagram ✧ Sent 1,408 newsletters ✧ Pushed two new initiatives live (Pit Privy Replacements and Invasive Species Removal) ✧ Pushed the new Families Outdoors page live ✧ Created and deployed the Western MA Exchange online newsletter ✧ Created a photo album for the Conservation Committee ✧ Updated activities and volunteer bios ✧ Performed general maintenance on the website

Family Programs

We redesigned the StoryWalk^® path at Noble View to create a walking loop ✧ The September StoryWalk^® (until 09-Sep-2023) is "The Camping Trip", installed in collaboration with the Hilltown Family Center ✧ A natural woods playground for families is under construction on the Dry Trail at Noble View, overseen by H. Wyman in collaboration with local Boy Scouts ✧ Attended two FallFest planning meetings ✧ Planning for new events and collaborations is currently ongoing

Hiking

Trips this past month: Mount Tom (01-Aug-2023) ✧ North and South Sugarloaf (15-Aug-2023) ✧ CT NET (22-Aug-2023) ✧ Currently working with committees on Fallfest activities and Women's Weekend ✧ Compilation of volunteer bios for the website continues

Paddling

D. Piers-Gamble completed her second co-lead and is now a qualified paddling leader ✧ Trips this past month: Whitewater Class II trip on the Deerfield River, Fife Brook section lead by M.T. Durr (17-Aug-2023) ✧ Womens+ Affinity Flatwater Paddle on Littleville Reservoir, lead by D. Weisenstein and D. Piers-Gamble (08-Sep-2023)

Training and Education

Ongoing planning continues for new training classes

Canoes, kayaks and necessary equipment are available from the H.A. Moses Scout Reservation, or you may bring your own boat, paddle and PFD. Glow sticks provide for the ends of each boat, but bring your own headlamp as well. The moon rises at 7:18 pm.  »

WWLP »

Beginner and intermediate paddlers are welcome, and children over 10 if accompanied on the water by a parent. Swimming ability required of all participants. Canoes and kayaks are available from the H.A. Moses Scout Reservation, or you may bring your own boat and equipment, paddle and PFD. Instruction in basic paddle strokes will be available if requested.  »

A BBQ lunch will be served from 12:00 - 2:00, as well as popcorn and cider throughout the day. Family activities will be offered including a StoryWalk, pumpkin craft and games. A suggested donation of per family includes BBQ lunch, access to activities, and free one-year membership for first-time members. Registrants have an option to select a different registration fee. Click or tap here for details and to register.  »

We will traverse some of the lesser-known trails to look for clues on the landscape to learn the history of this forest. We'll reflect on the future of this woodland by considering non-native threats and the effects of climate change on the ecology of the northern forests. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Trails may be rocky and root covered. Bring water and a snack or enjoy your bag lunch after the hike at the picnic tables by Noble View's 50-mile view. Heavy rain will postpone the event. Register here.

Let's take this opportunity to be mindful that when we're exploring outdoors, we are encroaching on their homes. Let's commit ourselves to the principles of Leave No Trace, which includes respecting wildlife. And remember, when hiking with dogs, always keep them on a leash. This prevents them from veering off trail and potentially disturbing wildlife. This photo of a black bear was taken on Section 5 of the New England Trail.

All Persons Trails typically have a gentle grade and surfaces that allow for easier use of mobility devices. For folks with limited mobility, low vision, or blindness these trails are also easier to navigate because they have fewer barriers and inclusive wayfinding signage. Learn more about accessible trails for all, the two Massachusetts bills and how you can show your support for them.

Nancy wears several hats as a DCR Ranger, an Outdoor Educator and an AMC member and volunteer. She has extensive knowledge and is generous of her time and works tirelessly to think of new ways to have youth involved with outdoor activities and conservation. Our DEI Committee Chair, Dawne Piers-Gamble states, "It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with her on our Hike, Paddle and Camp like a Pro Programs at Holyoke Heritage Park over the last two summers." Thank you, Nancy, for your commitment and dedication to the AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter! Read Nancy's bio and meet some of our other volunteers here.