Northampton tree plantings Saturday, whip giveway Friday

NORTHAMPTON — Volunteers from a number of organizations will plant 17 trees at Leeds Elementary School on Saturday as part of an Earth Day program taking place for the second straight year. The plantings will shade portions of the playground and other parts of the school property.

Additionally, the Department of Public Works and Tree Northampton will plant 16 trees on Village Hill. These new trees are meant to replace declining ash trees impacted by the invasive and deadly emerald ash borer, which is responsible for destroying tens of millions of ash trees in 30 states, including Massachusetts.

The city will also give out 600 free tree whips for residents to plant on private property. Whips can be picked up on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at City Hall. Tree Northampton volunteers will staff the 20th annual Arbor Day Tree Whip Giveaway and provide illustrated tree fact sheets specific to each species offered, together with tree planting and care information.

Participants can choose from six tree species, including white oak, serviceberry, American paw paw, northern hackberry and fraser fir. Each species was chosen to promote tree species diversity and the ecological sustainability of Northampton’s urban tree canopy.

For additional information, contact Rich Parasiliti Jr., tree warden, at 413-587-1570, ext. 4317.

Youth Climate Fest set for Sundayat Arcadia 

EASTHAMPTON/NORTHAMPTON — Western Massachusetts youth-led climate groups have organized a climate festival to be held Sunday at Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.

The 1-7:30 p.m. event will feature climate-centered workshops, poetry readings, a dance performance and live music, among other activities. The festival is free.

Special guest will be Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. Other civic leaders expected to attend include state Reps. Dan Carey and Mindy Domb.

Mass Audubon Climate Change Program Education Manager Brittany Gutermuth noted that addressing the challenges of a warming planet threads through all the statewide conservation organization’s work.

Holyoke gets grant to help meet sewage notification requirements

BOSTON — Holyoke is one of 10 communities to receive grants from the state to help meet new requirements to notify the public of sewage discharges and untreated stormwater and wastewater, known as combined sewer overflows, into surface waters.

The $64,000 grant for Holyoke is among $600,000 awarded to regional or municipal wastewater utilities and systems across Massachusetts for projects selected by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Regulatory requirements that wastewater treatment plants and communities must meet include notifying the public of sewage discharge and overflow events, posting signage at public access points and making relevant information available online. Holyoke will use the money to help implement an electronic CSO notification system and translation services to translate notifications to Spanish, as well as signage with a remotely controlled alarm system at three public access points on the Connecticut River.

Making space for fiber-curiousin Belchertown

BELCHERTOWN — Making Space for the Fiber-Curious is a free fiber arts space for self-identified LGBTQ+ folks. This space is for folks who want to learn the basics of weaving, using a floor loom, knitting, crochet and other fiber crafts; and who are interested in working in community. Attendees are encouraged to share skills and knowledge with each other.

The space will be open throughout the spring on the following dates, all 2-4 p.m.: April 30, May 6, 14, 20, 28 and June 3. Visit tinyurl.com/fiber2023 for more information.

The program is supported in part by a grant from the Belchertown, South Hadley and Amherst Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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