Youth Reproductive Justice Conference set for Wednesday

NORTHAMPTON — State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, is organizing a second annual Massachusetts Youth Reproductive Justice Conference for high school and college students in collaboration with Smith Students for Reproductive Justice.

The event will take place Wednesday night from 6-8 p.m. at the Davis Ballroom at Smith College. Admission is free, and dinner is provided.

The discussion will revolve around state policy solutions to advance reproductive health, rights and justice in the commonwealth. Participating organizations include Planned Parenthood, Tapestry Health, Translate Gender, UMass Center for Women & Community, and the Abortion Rights Fund of Western MA.

To sign up, visit forms.gle/fUtvqkA7Sjw7csmJ7.

Get to knowlocal mammals

AMHERST — Join Mass Mammals for a conversation about its citizen science project on Thursday, April 11, from 7-8 p.m. in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library.

Two undergraduate researchers from Amherst College will share a bit about black bears in Massachusetts, have a conversation about their project, and invite residents to learn how they can be a more engaged and involved community scientist. The Massachusetts Mammals Citizen Science Team is a research group focused on tracking mammal populations across the state through community data submissions.

The event is free and open to the public.

Farmers’ Markets in Holyoke to give info on HIP program

HOLYOKE — Residents can learn more about the state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) at several upcoming Pop-Up Holyoke Farmers’ Markets this spring.

HIP offers additional monetary incentives for buying healthy local produce at the farmers’ market. Those who attend the farmers’ markets listed below can learn about program and how to access it; learn about local vendors who accept HIP benefits; and receive support using HIP benefits at the pop-up market.

Upcoming markets, all of which will take place from 5-7 p.m., will be held at Mercadito, 413 Main St., on April 10, May 8 and May 22; and Flats Community Center, 43 N. Canal St., on April 24.

PVPC lands stormwatermanagementgrant from state

SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission recently landed at $57,948 state grant to continue its efforts to help cities and towns meet existing stormwater management requirements.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection awarded grants totaling $360,000 to seven multi-community watershed coalitions and planning collaboratives to develop programs designed to assist municipalities with meeting the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit and reduce pollution in stormwater discharges. The MS4 Permit aims to reduce harmful pollutants from being washed into waters by storm drains. Municipalities are required to develop stormwater management programs that include public education and outreach, public participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, management of construction site runoff, management of post-construction site runoff, and good housekeeping measures to reduce pollution.

PVPC will use its grant money to enhance its library of green infrastructure Best Management Practices (BMP) design templates with an additional four or five templates, develop a decision support tool to help municipalities choose appropriate BMPs, and provide trainings on the templates and selection tool.