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:

    From mountains to fertile swamp

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    Projects aim to preserve diverse swath of land at eastern edge of N.Y. By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer NEW LEBANON, N.Y.   The Shaker Swamp, which extends over nearly 500 acres in New Lebanon, is one of two areas that would be preserved from development under pending conservation projects in the town. John Townes photo A read more

    From mountains to fertile swamp
  • Issue:

    Shearing the flock

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    Spring’s arrival finds an age-old tradition thriving in Vermont By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer RUPERT, Vt.   Andy Rice shears a sheep in 2013 at a farm in West Pawlet, Vt. Rice is among the shearers making the rounds at area farms this spring amid signs that the demand for locally produced wool is increasing in read more

    Shearing the flock
  • Issue:

    Developers push to change Saratoga’s outer greenbelt

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    In golf club’s plans, some see threat to Saratoga’s greenbelt By THOMAS DIMOPOULOSContributing writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.   The landscape around Exit 14 of the Northway, on the east side of Saratoga Springs, remains largely wooded as a result of open-space protections the city adopted more than 20 years ago. Critics fear that could change read more

    Developers push to change Saratoga’s outer greenbelt
  • Issue:

    Young farmers band together to keep land in agriculture

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    By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer HUDSON, N.Y.   Lindsey Lusher Shute runs Hearty Roots Community Farm with her husband in Clermont, N.Y. Their struggle to find affordable farmland in the Hudson Valley prompted them to help organize the National Young Farmers Coalition, a grassroots advocacy organization based in Hudson. Scott Langley photo Lindsey Lusher Shute and read more

    Young farmers band together to keep land in agriculture
  • Issue:

    To conserve and protect

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    Scouting group keeps multi-generational link to Vermont forest By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer STRATTON, Vt. More than a half century ago, a Boy Scout group from Delaware bought a tract of land in the Green Mountains that has become an enduring example of private environmental stewardship. Today, one of those Scouts, Ross Lanius of North Haven, read more

    To conserve and protect
  • Issue:

    Buzz of the back yard

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    By TELLY HALKIASContributing writer WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. When Alethea Morrison started her journey into the world of beekeeping five years ago, she and her husband kept a journal to document the experience.Last year, the journal became a book – “Homegrown Honey Bees: Beekeeping Your First Year, from Hiving to Honey Harvest” – put out by Storey read more

    Buzz of the back yard
  • Issue:

    Gas pipeline plan set to advance

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    Company prepares for federal review of route through Berkshires By JOHN TOWNES Contributing writer   Protesters gathered in early July at Hilltop Orchard in Richmond, Mass., for the first in a series of demonstrations across the state against a proposed natural gas pipeline. The pipeline would enter the state at Richmond and run through Lenox read more

    Gas pipeline plan set to advance
  • Issue:

    Breeder of grass-fed cattle challenges conventions

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    Breeder of grass-fed cattle earns respect while challenging conventions By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer BERLIN, N.Y. On a cold drizzly day in late April, a few dozen area farmers showed up for a pasture walk at Black Queen Angus Farm to learn about Morgan Hartman’s unconventional approach to calving and just about everything else. Hartman’s farm read more

    Breeder of grass-fed cattle challenges conventions
  • Issue:

    New hope for bats

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    Researchers find improved survival among one species, after long decline By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer DORSET, Vt. Biologists have documented the first hopeful sign that the region’s bat populations may eventually recover from the devastation of white nose syndrome. The numbers of one species of bat affected by the deadly disease appear to be stabilizing, with read more

    New hope for bats
  • Issue:

    New meaning to changing seasons

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    Report predicts fallout from long-term climate shifts in Vermont By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer   The Vermont of maple syrup in the spring, red and orange foliage in October and snowy winters may be just a memory in a few decades, according to a new study of how climate change will affect the Green Mountain State. read more

    New meaning to changing seasons