Maple trees turn golden along the Hoosic River in Williamstown in November. Photo by Kate Abbott

Nature

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s articles about nature, listed from newest to oldest. In the country, the living world of our forests, mountains and lakes influence our communities and our daily lives. The Hull Country Observer explores stories of the environment and the landscape in a changing climate.

  • Issue:

    Advocates push to curb use of herbicide

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    State, towns weigh new limits on glyphosate   Bruce Winn and Elia del Molino of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team stand amid a large patch of hardy kiwi at Burbank Park in Pittsfield. The group has organized a volunteer effort to control the invasive species without the use of herbicides like glyphosate. Hardy kiwi’s vines read more

    Advocates push to curb use of herbicide
  • Issue:

    Worker rights arrive at the farm

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    Farmers, advocates weigh effects of New York’s new labor law   Roman Chaidez drives a tractor past the heifer facility he manages for Walker Farms LLC in Fort Ann, N.Y. Joan K. Lentini photo   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer   A Guatemalan man who works at a dairy farm in southern Washington County describes himself read more

    Worker rights arrive at the farm
  • Issue:

    Lush gardens, growing mission

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    Pact with neighbors allows Berkshire Botanical Garden to expand A winding path is lined by lilies at Berkshire Botanical Garden, which recently expanded its land area for the first time in its nearly 90-year history. Susan Sabino photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. Winding trails curve through a peaceful setting where towering pines read more

    Lush gardens, growing mission
  • Issue:

    Creating a community forest

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    Deal preserves land at a village’s edge for education, recreation A group visiting the new Cambridge Community Forest last month included Alex Dery Snider, Elliott Norman, Bill Arnold, Sarah Ashton and Jared Woodcock. George Bouret photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. A wooded hillside on the edge of the village of Cambridge, the read more

    Creating a community forest
  • Issue:

    Melding farm and forest

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    Planting of nut trees puts a new agricultural model to the test A volunteer crew works to plant hazelnut tree seedlings at Kevin Maher’s farm in Cambridge, N.Y. photo by Joan K. Lentini     By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. The crew gathered at Kevin Maher’s farm on a weekend in the middle of read more

    Melding farm and forest
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    Naumkeag grows a new focus on spring

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    In bid to extend season, Naumkeag prepares first-ever daffodil festival   The 44-room house at Naumkeag, built in the 1880s as the Choate family’s summer “cottage,” towers above its terraced gardens. The historic property will host its first-ever Daffodil Festival this month.Kate Abbott photo   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. The linden trees may read more

    Naumkeag grows a new focus on spring
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    Rail trail to close key gap

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    Construction began in March on a new 8-mile stretch of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. When the work is completed in October 2020, it will link with two existing sections, forming a continuous 23-mile route through Columbia and Dutchess counties. Courtesy Photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer COPAKE, N.Y. Work is under way this spring read more

    Rail trail to close key gap
  • Issue:

    Cleaner than coal? — Cement plant’s plan raises concern

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    Cement company’s alternative-fuel plan raises questions about air emissions The sprawling Lehigh Cement Co. plant in Glens Falls is seeking approval from state regulators to supplement its normal fuel supply of coal and natural gas with raggertail, a mixture of plastic and paper left over the process of recycling paper and cardboard. Joan K. Lentini read more

    Cleaner than coal? — Cement plant’s plan raises concern
  • Issue:

    Recycling’s season of discontent

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    Haulers, local governments struggle as waste markets disappear A truck delivers a load of recyclables to TAM Recycling in Pownal. The pile in the foreground contains about 1.5 days worth of cardboard recyclables that have been delivered and are awaiting processing at the facility. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer POWNAL, Vt. read more

    Recycling’s season of discontent
  • Issue:

    State rewrites manure rules for large farms

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    After legal fight, many N.Y. farms opt for alternative set of regulations State environmental regulators in New York have drafted new rules aimed at preventing water pollution from large dairy farms — after a judge tossed out an earlier rewrite of the rules. Rob Barendse file photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer   New York read more

    State rewrites manure rules for large farms