Welcome to the West Springfield, Massachusetts
Environmental Committee website
Visit the EVENTS link for more info regarding this upcoming event: Bear Hole nature walk - Saturday, May 5th |
The West Springfield Environmental Committee is an ad-hoc, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on
environmental issues in the Town of West Springfield.
We have been serving West Springfield since the fall of 2005. When the committee was in its infancy,
we were instrumental with assisting the town in establishing a town wide recycling and waste management program.
Today, our main focus is promoting responsible management and the protection of the 1,700 acre
Bear Hole Watershed. We are becoming increasingly active with Mittineague Park, especially with trail maintenance
and working collaboratively with the town regarding park law enforcement, as well as general upkeep.
We also monitor town recycling issues as needed.
The committee is not associated with, nor does it receive any funding from town government.
We are heavily dependent upon volunteers to help accomplish our projects.
Please enjoy the many photos and bits of information provided throughout our website.
We welcome your comments, questions, interests and concerns.
TAKE NOTICE! So far for 2012, the tick situation within Bear Hole is very bad. The lack of a hard winter freeze and snow pack has resulted in many ticks from 2011 surviving the winter. With a normal New England winter, some ticks will be killed off, thus naturally keeping their numbers in check. If you, your family and/or your dog are in Bear Hole and come in contact with any vegetation or if you venture off any hiking trail, check yourself thoroughly! One hiker ventured off the trails and found at least 12 ticks crawling on him and six on his dog. Some no larger than the ball point of a pen. All of them Deer Ticks, the vector of lyme disease amongst other pathogens. A Deer Tick can be identified by the lighter colored rim around its tail end. A good basic preventative is to wear light colored, long pants and use a good tick preventative for your dog. Ticks are of issue within some wooded sections of MIttineague Park, but not to the same degree as to what's being experienced within Bear Hole Watershed. Learn more about ticks, care of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Ticks and tick diseases in MA Tick identification for MA |
Use this link to view the MA Environmental Notification Form for the West Springfield Water Transmission Main Project.
This memo is readily available for public viewing via the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) website.
April 16, 2012: Mittineague Park peninsula at the Westfield River ~ left image is underwater
American Toads engaged in amplexus, or mating where the male toad is locked on top and female on bottom.
They will stay in this position until mating is completed or another male separates them. Males are always on top.
Mating occurs within a few hours after the female's arrival. The white dots on the side of the male are poison glans.
The glans, if touched by humans, will irritate the skin, eyes (if touched after the fact).
April 16, 2012: View of sun rays gleaming off the Westfield River along the Mittineague Park peninsula.
Please recreate responsibly within Bear Hole and Mittineague Park. By respecting these lands you will help ensure what we have today, will be here to enjoy tomorrow. If you abuse, you may lose it. |
We have lots of hopes and ideas to pursue in 2012.
Please consider getting involved, even if it's just once or twice.
Please remember - leave only footprints -
The watershed area is part of an active public water supply
Passive recreation within Bear Hole and Mittineague Park is strongly encouraged.
The Town of West Springfield is very fortunate to have these two open areas encompassing
over 1,900 acres. Most communities aren't so fortunate.
None of Nature's landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild. -
Our National Parks, (1901).
Photo taken August 10, 2009
One of the many scenic trails in Bear Hole
Photo taken August 10, 2009
Paucatuck Brook flowing to the reservoir
Photo taken August 10, 2009
Picturesque photo of Bear Hole's forest
This forest supports an array of wildlife and fauna. Passive recreation in the watershed is
encouraged. Suggested activities include, but aren't limited to hiking, biking, running,
environmental exploration, nature watching and dog walking. Hunting is not permitted.