Governor Names Fish and Game Commissioner

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced the appointment of Tom O'Shea to the role of Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). 
 
DFG works to preserve the state's natural resources and protect and manage marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife, plants, and the habitats that support them. O'Shea starts on May 1.
 
"DFG plays a unique and important role in merging nature and culture. With Tom O'Shea at the helm, Massachusetts will be better positioned to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change while bolstering our habitat resilience," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "His experience will be critical in helping the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure a future with clean air, healthy landscapes, wildlife populations, and abundant recreational opportunities."
 
Tom O'Shea comes to DFG from The Trustees, where he most recently served as Vice President of Conservation and Resilience, leading the conservation and climate agenda. Prior to his role at The Trustees overseeing land conservation, advocacy and policy, agriculture, coastal resilience and ecology, he served as an Assistant Director for DFG's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Tom earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Forestry from Yale University's School of Environment, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine. He is an outdoorsman and triathlete who resides in Holden with his wife and son.
 
"I'm honored and excited to return to DFG and join the Healey-Driscoll Administration as Massachusetts steps up its mitigation strategies and resiliency efforts for the natural resources our residents love most," added O'Shea. "The Commonwealth is home to countless scenic landscapes. I'm looking forward to this urgent and significant moment for meaningful and proactive action towards climate resilience, access to nature and outdoor recreation, and the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats."
 

Tags: department of fish and game,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Residents Concerned About Injured Bear in Northwest Pittsfield

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members have rallied in concern over an injured bear wandering northwest Pittsfield into Lanesborough the last few days.

Since late last week, Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre has received several calls about what appears to be a mama bear with a broken leg traveling near St. Joseph Cemetery to outer Hancock Road and Churchill Road with her cub. 

Home-security camera videos have also been posted to social media depicting the duo, including footage on a Lanesborough community Facebook page.

Serre is concerned about an injured bear being in a residential neighborhood, both for the safety of residents and the bear. She noted that as kind human beings, we have the responsibility of helping if possible and an injured bear is an angry bear.

"I would just like to find a way for her to be rehabbed and let back out into the wild," she said. "Because it's very obvious it's not just a little booboo on her foot."

MassWildlife's Black Bear Project leader Dave Wattles urged residents not to interfere, such as providing aid or food. He reported there is "really not a facility in the state" that can treat the bear but said they have an amazing ability to heal on their own.

"Unfortunately, there are a lot of vehicle collisions with bears where they end up with potentially a broken leg or a leg injury," he said. "Unfortunately, people also will shoot up bears for various reasons so there's a number of reasons that they can potentially have these injuries."

Serre has been contacted by seven or eight constituents showing pictures and videos of the bear, who is seen limping and not able to put pressure on her right front leg. She noted that they seem to have a pattern, during the day going up a hill in the area and then coming down.

"It seems like [her cub] is scavenging for her," she said. "She will lay down and he will go in and get the garbage bags."

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories