Conservation group buys 109 acres in Berkshire County
TYRINGHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – A Berkshire County conservation organization has purchased property to protect lands near Beartown State Forest and the Appalachian Trail.
Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) has acquired 109 acres along both sides of Webster Road in Tyringham. It will be protected with conservation restrictions held by BNRC and New England Forestry Foundation. It is within a half mile of the Appalachian Trail and abuts the Beartown State Forest.
Healey administration awards grants to improve water supply in Ipswich River communities
By adding to these protected lands, BNRC strengthens a network of conserved forests in Tyringham, Otis, and Becket that are crucial for biodiversity, wildlife movement, and climate resilience. Currently, there are no plans to create trails on the property, but it will remain open for passive recreation.
'This land features a remarkable mix of hardwood forest species, hemlock stands, and wetlands, including the headwaters of Merry Brook, a designated cold-water fishery important to native brook trout,' said Nick Pitel, BNRC's Director of Conservation. 'We are thrilled to continue to advance conservation in this ecologically rich area, protecting it from development and preserving habitat for rare species.'
'This property sits at the heart of a significant conservation landscape and exemplifies the goals of the Catalyst Fund, which prioritizes biodiversity and climate resiliency. We are very pleased to be able to support BNRC's land conservation work in the Southern Berkshires,' said David O'Neill, Mass Audubon's President.
The land was purchased for $650,000 and funded by the Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation, Mass Audubon Catalyst for Conservation, the Wyncote Foundation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program, and private donors.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
Healey opened the door to tweaking the ‘millionaires tax.' Now what?
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Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Premiers and US governors push back on Trump's tariffs
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With rising costs for goods and energy, she noted, many New York families are already feeling the strain. More than 1.5 million Americans in New York, Minnesota and Michigan currently rely on electricity from Ontario. Hochul said she is in talks with Quebec to increase hydroelectric supply, which is expected to power over one million homes starting next year. 'That's only possible because of trust and a strong cross-border relationship,' she said. 'Canada has been a friend to us in building our energy future — we don't need more rhetoric or tariffs setting us back.' Trump, speaking to reporters in Alberta, acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Mark Carney had differing approaches to resolving the trade dispute but said he remained optimistic that a solution could be found. 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A report from Ontario's Financial Accountability Office warns that if tariffs persist, the province could lose up to 68,100 jobs this year — nearly doubling by 2029. Adam Fremeth, a professor of economics and public policy at the Ivey Business School, said the Boston meeting reflects the growing importance of regional diplomacy during moments of national tension. While premiers and governors aren't the ones doing the actual trading, he said, they represent the businesses and communities that are — making their advocacy essential. 'These are the kinds of dialogues that should be ongoing, not just during times of tension,' Fremeth said. In many US states, Canada remains a top trading partner, and continued collaboration — particularly in sectors like tourism and energy — is crucial, he added. Fremeth also pointed out that the impact of tariffs isn't felt equally. Certain regions, like Ontario or New York, are more exposed due to their dependence on sectors such as auto manufacturing or cross-border energy. That uneven pressure, he said, explains why some provinces and states are speaking out more forcefully than others. He recalled that during past trade tensions, provinces like Ontario took symbolic but impactful actions, such as removing American-made bourbon from liquor store shelves or imposing temporary electricity surcharges on US customers. While such moves grabbed attention, Fremeth cautioned that leaders today must tread carefully and avoid escalating tensions just as negotiations may be starting to progress. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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Politico
4 days ago
- Politico
The millionaire's tax giveth ...
MONEY TALKS — Massachusetts' 'millionaires tax' has been boosting the state's bottom line, but some of the state's top Democrats aren't rushing to defend it. Gov. Maura Healey and House and Senate budget writers have leaned on the 4 percent surtax on incomes above $1 million to fuel new spending in the past couple years. So, it came as a surprise when Healey seemed to say she wouldn't step in to stop efforts to repeal the law. The governor tempered those comments the following day, pointing to 'transformational' investments her administration has made in education and transportation as a result of the levy. She's not the only one still wary about what the tax — backed by voters in 2022 — will mean for Massachusetts down the road. House Budget Chief Aaron Michlewitz told reporters Monday he still believes it's 'too early' to tell. 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