AMCBerkshire.OrgThe Western Massachusetts chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club

The Mass AT Committee is seeking an interested volunteer to take a leadership role in reactivating our volunteer ridge runner program. This program has been active in the past but has fallen into dormancy in the last few years. With the increased use of the AT, the need for volunteer Ridge Runners to assist hikers and support responsible use of the trail including Leave No Trace practices is likewise increasing. If you are interested in taking on this leadership role or in becoming a volunteer Ridge Runner, please contact us at: at.volunteer.coord@amcberkshire.org

The Mass AT Committee project schedule for the upcoming season will be published soon. A range of projects are planned for the year including boardwalk repairs, shelter and privy roof replacements, bog bridging, blowdown blitzes, trail brushing, open area clearing, natural heritage site visits, dock repairs and more! Click on our Getting Involved page for the 2012 Project Schedule (coming soon). If you’d like to join in a project just contact the project leader listed. No experience is needed, just a desire to get outdoors and have a great time with a great bunch of folks!

The 10th annual AT Volunteer Gathering at the Mount Greylock Visitors Center was a big success with approximately 60 current volunteers, prospective volunteers and retired volunteers participating. The gathering brought trail maintenance volunteers, land monitors, natural heritage monitors, Upper Goose Pond cabin caretakers and shelter adopters together to share experiences and hear the latest and greatest from the AT Management Committee leaders.

Work begins Saturday, September 17!

We are going to start building a new cabin on the New England National Scenic Trail in Northfield. The work will continue until Sept. 28 or finished. I am looking for as many people as can help, and would like to spread the help over the entire project. (Carpooling is available from the Springfield area.)

Please contact Patrick Fletcher, Trails Committee Chair, at hiker6@comcast.net.

September 17th, 2011

Save the date and RSVP to Pat Fletcher at hiker6@comcast.net or 413-562-9863

We are going to start building a new cabin on the New England National Scenic Trail in Northfield. The work will continue until Sept. 28 or finished. I am looking for a few good men as the saying goes or as many as can help. I would like to spread the help over the entire project. Any that live down here in the Springfield area can contact me and we can arrange car pooling.

This June, AMC’s volunteers invite you to get into conservation by doing some trail work, helping with a clean up, or finally learning the name of that beautiful white flower you see every year. See below for a link to the list of opportunities for training, education, and recreation throughout AMC’s region.

For a list and to register for these events go to http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/green-june.cfm and get in touch with the leaders. With your help we will have a very Green June.

The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with the Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees), will be hosting a volunteer work day at The Trustees’ Little Tom property on Saturday, May 15th, 2010. The property and its trails, which will be open to the public in 2012, will eventually connect to the existing trail system at DCR’s Mount Tom State Reservation, allowing hikers and runners a view of the vernal pool at the top of Little Mt. Tom.

During the AMC Annual Meeting there was the presentation of awards in recognition of the outstanding number of hours contributed by volunteer AMC members. Areas of service included stewardship and public service activities in Trails, Conservation, Education, and Research Programs. The Berkshire Chapter AT Committee had ten members awarded in two categories: The Warren Hart Award which is given in recognition of more than 224 hours of service and The Marian Pychowska Award for 96-223 hours contributed.

Ken and Bonnie Hargreaves — Members of AMC since 1992, Ken and Bonnie met on a Berkshire Chapter hike. Together, they are active in the Berkshire Chapter, President’s Society and on the Board of Advisors since 2001.

AMC-Berkshire’s ‘Massachusetts Appalachian Trail Management Committee’ is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of the almost 90 miles of Appalachian Trail within Massachusetts, coordinating the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the trail open and beautiful. We work in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the National Park Service (NPS).