Dedicated to protecting the Westfield River watershed and helping the public to understand the ecological importance of this region, the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee offers a variety of educational programs and exciting hands-on explorations of the river and watershed.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the 6th annual Wild & Scenic Watershed Blitz will give people an opportunity to experience and learn about the watershed and the East Branch of the Westfield River from one of nine specialists who will lead in-depth walks and hikes around the area. The program will focus on a variety of topics including native plants and pollinators, geology, biodiversity, fish, frogs and newts, and ecological restoration.
“By bringing nine specialists in, people can really take a rich deep dive into a topic for a full day and all of their questions can be answered in a really comprehensive way,” Meredyth Babcock, outreach coordinator for the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee said. She said organizers intentionally keep the group numbers small.
As many Hilltowns are in the process of creating municipal vulnerability plans to prepare for the effects of climate change, the committee also has added specialist Carrie Banks, a stream continuity planner with the Division of Ecological Restoration, who will visit two sites where new culverts will help improve habitat and restore a more natural stream flow.
“Carrie will really have a lot of interesting information, particularly for people on things like conservation commissions, planning boards, and highway departments,” Babcock said.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. at Pettingill Memorial Park in Cummington before participants spread out to various parts of the river for the day. At the end of the afternoon, people will gather at the Cummington Community House for snacks and to share what they learned.
Photographs and data collected during the day will be compiled into an informational packet that will document this year’s event.
“The other nice thing that comes out of the Blitz, is that people meet other people who have the same desire to be stewards of the watershed,” Babcock said.
Participants will be able to choose their experience from among the following specialists: Botanist Karen Hirschberg, Amy Pulley of A Wing and a Prayer Nursery, John Burns of Burns Environmental, restoration ecologist Lauren DiCarlo, geologyi professor Tarin Weiss, fish biologist Dave Christensen, water quality specialist Cindy Delpapa, environmental studies professor Tom Tyning, Liz Lacy of the National Park Service and avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast Jeff Penn.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is geared to adults and teens. Participants must be at least 12 years old and have an adult in attendance. For an overview of the topics to be presented, visit www.westfieldriverwildscenic.org/news.html. Registration is required. Call 413-623-2070 or email westfieldriver@gmail.com.
WILLIAMSBURG – On Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., the Williamsburg Grange will host a presentation by Kim Skyrm, chief apiary inspector and apiary program coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
The event will be an interactive presentation focusing on how to encourage bee pollinators when managing yards and surrounding landscapes.
Participants will be introduced to the common managed and wild bee pollinators found in Massachusetts by examining their biology, life history and floral preferences. In addition, best management practices for managing habitats will be discussed.
The program will also feature an overview of honey bee health, including data on local and national populations. The Grange Hall is located at 10 Main St. in Williamsburg. All are welcome.
CHESTERFIELD – The Chesterfield Cultural Council is seeking proposals for community-oriented arts and science programs. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. To Apply visit www.mass-culture.org. For questions regarding the Chesterfield Cultural Council, please contact Saskia de Melker at saskiademelker@gmail.com.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.