Have you heard about the proposed industrial logging project at our forested public drinking-water reservoir in North Adams? In the late summer there was quite the hubbub (rightfully) after the Conservation Commission recommended that herbicides not be sprayed ... next to Notch Reservoir. It seems ridiculous it was ever a plan supported by Mass Audubon. After nearly two years of secretive planning this was the first time most of us heard about this project.
Were you at the Conservation Commission meeting in September where Friends of Notch Forest packed the room, overflowing into hallways, lining the street in protest? Were you one of the 2,000-plus people locally, regionally and internationally who signed our Save Notch Forest petition?
North Adams deserves more than to be used as an experiment by Mass Audubon and its new industrial-logging partners, which seek to unnecessarily replace a mature diverse forest with a tree-seedling farm that cannot enrich the City, nor benefit its human and wildlife residents. We have a vision — not just to stop the logging project to protect our forest, beloved Bellows Pipe hiking trail, and our drinking water — that could financially benefit the City and our environment for generations to come.
In the last few months the Friends of Notch Forest and the Bellow's Pipe Trailhead have been hard at work, learning, collecting information, and taking action to stop this project. We are happy to keep you up to date and invite you to join our vastly expanding group.
Join us on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer St., for an informational meeting.
More information: www.savenotchforest.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Weekend Outlook: Mount Greylock, Shakespeare Day
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening this weekend including birding, theater, and more to welcome the warmer weather.
Mount Greylock Summit Opening Day
Mount Greylock, Adams
Welcome the warm weather on the state's highest peak. Bascom Lodge opens Saturday at 10 a.m. A live raptor demonstration is at noon on Saturday; beekeeping presentation from 11 to 2 and presentation on the Greylock Glen at 5:30 on Sunday.
The War Memorial will also be open. Tours and a presentation on the "Tower of Remembrance" will be held on Sunday and Monday at 1 and 2 p.m. Meet at the bronze map.
Shakespeare & Company Community Day
70 Kemble St., Lenox
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event features live demonstrations and performances, scavenger hunts, film screenings, food trucks, and dozens of other local nonprofits sharing the ways they serve the Berkshires — and beyond.
Radical Reptile Series
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Second of a three-part series on reptiles and amphibians introduced by The Reptile Nook. This Saturday will focus on the world of lizards, and next Saturday on snakes.
The 39th annual arts and crafts festival with more than 100 vendors. Free and family friendly with live performances, food trucks and local restaurant and downtown business specials. Held on Main and School streets.
Introduction to Bird Watching
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Interested in learning about the birds and trying to catch a glimpse of all the different types? Join Mass Audubon and practice birding. Bring your own binoculars, some loaners available.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here.
Lee Farmers Market
The Town Park
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The market offers locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. YogaLee offers free community yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 on the first Saturday of each month.
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match. More information here.
Lenox Farmers Market
St. Ann's Church
Fridays: 11 to 3.
This market is open every Friday through Sept. 12 and features fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and more.
Brooke Harrington scored four goals, and Abigail Rodhouse had a hat trick as Wahconah won its second straight Western Mass title and the rubber match against the Mounties in the third one-goal game between the teams this spring. click for more
The graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 127th commencement were sent off with the charge of "don't stop now" to make the world a better place.
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