Former Northampton mayors are coming out of the woodwork to comment on current development proposals. In April 1925, Nature Magazine urged Americans to observe American Forest Week. It quotes from a proclamation by President Calvin Coolidge: “We have too freely spent the rich and magnificent gift that Nature bestowed on us. In our eagerness to […]
Continue reading Calvin Coolidge: Forest Protection is a Sacred Trust
The North Street Neighborhood Association is now circulating a Northampton Trees & Wetlands Petition (MS Word version, Rich Text File version). The text of the petition reads: Northampton was designated a “Tree City” in 2005, in recognition for its commitment to community trees and forests. Nevertheless, large, cherished trees continue to be cut down without […]
Continue reading NSNA Circulates Northampton Trees & Wetlands Petition
Kohl Construction proposes to build 31 condo units in the forest between North Street and the bike path. This development, with its access roads and 66 parking spaces, will claim 5.49 acres of land. These pictures show the area affected:The urban forest behind North Street is already surrounded by developmentThe crucial large lots slated for […]
Continue reading Kohl’s Condo Proposal: Where Things Stand, and What You Can Do
The Environmental Protection Agency describes the effects of development on local urban temperatures. Note the dramatic moderating effect of an urban park. What Is a Heat Island? The term “heat island” refers to urban air and surface temperatures that are higher than nearby rural areas. Many U.S. cities and suburbs have air temperatures up to […]
We salute Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007), one of the leading conservationists of our time. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center tells the story… Mrs. Johnson was First Lady of the nation before she was able to translate her love for the land into national policy. Once started, she has amassed a lifetime of achievement as […]
Continue reading In Memory of Lady Bird Johnson, Conservationist
Springfield has an ordinance that protects trees that are 75+ years old or 3+ feet in diameter. Such trees may be cut down only if they are diseased or damaged, or if the person who wants to cut it down can prove hardship in excess of the public’s interest in preserving the tree. SIGNIFICANT TREES […]
Continue reading Text of Springfield’s Ordinance to Protect “Significant Trees”
This June 1 article from the Gazette’s June 1 edition of Hampshire Life discusses the recent history of trees in Northampton and the work of the Tree Stewards. Some excerpts: [Lilly] Lombard and [Sue] Crimmins, along with a few others, call themselves the Tree Stewards, and they are determined to keep the city green. The […]
Continue reading June 1 Hampshire Life: “Northampton’s tree huggers dig in”
This Urban Forestry web page from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation links to tree-related regulations from around the state. Deb Jacobs, chair of Northampton’s Tree Committee, pointed us to this page. The next public meeting of the committee is July 24, 6:30pm at the Department of Public Works Office on 125 Locust Street. […]
Continue reading Community Tree Ordinances and Bylaws for Massachusetts Communities