The Pascommuck Conservation Trust

Preserving our past. Protecting our future.

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Fall membership drive!

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If you are enjoying the lovely trails the Pascommuck Conservation Trust preserves and maintains in Easthampton, think about joining us for our fall membership drive! If you have friends that also enjoy the outdoors and love hiking and conserving open space talk to them about joining. We would love to add 50 new members! You can join for as little as $15. We are also looking for volunteers to help with the plant sale, trail maintenance, and to join Board committees and serve on the Board. We have some open spots on the Board/committees, and are especially looking for folks from diverse backgrounds, those who are new to the outdoors, as well as experienced outdoor enthusiasts. We are a small local organization established since 1982 and have been fulfilling our mission of preserving, protecting, and making accessible Easthampton’s natural resources.

Birders report a number of different species at Old Trolley Line Conservation area

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A PCT member who recently encountered a birder at the Old Trolley Line Conservation area was told that the conservation area was just recently made a hot spot on ebird, so more lists will start getting added. Here is the direct link and the species that have been recorded specifically so far.

Here is the link to the ebird site for Old Trolley Line.

August 18 birding list:
Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Common Grackle, and Northern Cardinal

Red Breasted Nuthatch
Red Tailed Hawk
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Red-eyed Vireo
Veery

July 9th 40th Anniversary event at Park Hill Orchard.

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The public event at Park Hill Orchard on Saturday July 9th from 9 AM till noon was attended by a steady stream of people learning about the Trust, partaking of freshly made cider donuts, blueberries, and apple cider slushies as well as enjoying the live music of flamenco guitarist, Tony Silva. Nature walks were led by artist-naturalist Marty Klein and ecologist Tom Lautzenheiser and attendees were able to enjoy the outside art sculptures. A table was set up for children to create their own unique porcupine art.

PCT’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

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PCT’s 40th Anniversary celebration was attended by about 50 people. There were 5 different speakers to open up the festivities. John Velis, State senator, Mike Tautznik, former Easthampton mayor, Jeff Bagg, Easthampton City planner and Robert McDonald, Angel Monument Director all spoke of the importance of having PCT as part of the community. Summaries of the speakers’ speeches can be found at The Reminder Easthampton link. John Bator, President of the Trust then spoke of the history and vision of the Trust and he followed his speech by playing “Save the Pond” song with a backup chorus. A YouTube video of the performance can be found here. A detailed timeline put together by several board member was on display as well as a special 40th anniversary celebratory trail map describing 8 of the PCT properties and trails. A pdf of the 1982 to 2022 timeline can be viewed/downloaded here.

Children who attended were able to paint their own small porcupines.

Our thanks to Mt Tom Ice Cream for the donation of PCT Porcupine Parfait ice cream specially made for the event and to Northampton Rental Center for the donation of the speaker/microphone and podium.