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By BILL DANIELSON

It was a beautiful morning in late April and I was out exploring a trail around a quiet pond. The trail around the pond was well maintained and because it was so early in the spring there were no leaves on the trees. This is what allowed me to notice a large number of Eastern Painted Turtles that were sunning themselves on the trunk of a fallen tree and it was thoughts of photos that diverted me off the trail and closer to the water’s edge.

By LISA GOODRICH

For Kimberly Longey, farmer-florist at Wild Life Flowers in Plainfield, the idea of the slow flower movement began with an appreciation for local food. “As a lover of flowers, I have purchased out-of-season blooms at the grocery store because they brightened my mood in the dead of winter. Even though I was conscious of where my food came from, I wasn’t really thinking about where my flowers came from,” says Longey.

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — When UMass Permaculture organizes its weekly student farmers markets in spring and fall, vendors interested in selling their wares must act fast to scoop up the limited number of spots.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

Trees were dotted with paint, maps went up, and a last round of trash was gathered this week as the Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) gears up to unveil a 2½-mile loop trail as part of Earth Week celebrations.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTFIELD — For months, signs reading “NO Lithium Battery Storage Over Our Aquifer” have been popping up in front yards throughout Westfield. Recently, concerns have been stirring in surrounding towns as well, marked by a proliferation of those signs throughout Southampton, Easthampton and beyond.

By ALEXA LEWIS

Persistent rainfall in recent months has improved drought conditions in the region. The state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has downgraded the Connecticut River Valley region from critical drought status to mild drought status.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — Officials at the Greenfield-based Connecticut River Conservancy are left waiting with $13 million in federal funding frozen that had been awarded to the environmental advocacy nonprofit, including $11.5 million for river restoration in New Hampshire.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

BOSTON — The state Department of Environmental Protection is fining Falls Farm, which has property in Montague and Sunderland, for violating the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Massachusetts Clean Water Act.

By TED WATT

It was January, with two feet of cold crisp powder on the ground. The day was bright and sunny. The 5th and 6th grades at our small rural, hill-town school had been studying life sciences. Educators and students were focusing on animals and the many varied ways they are adapted, both physically and behaviorally, to living in their environment. We decided to take advantage of the perfect winter day and headed out to see what we could learn about how animals live in winter from the signs and tracks they left behind.

By CHRIS LARABEE

WHATELY — Residents with thoughts on where they would like to see pollinator-centered landscape projects are encouraged to join town officials for a community forum on Thursday.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued a draft decision approving a water quality certification for FirstLight Hydro Generating Co., marking the latest required step in FirstLight’s relicensing process through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

By ANNE DIETRICH

As we step into a new political era with Monday’s inauguration of Donald Trump, many wonder how his administration’s environmental policies will shape our future. With proposed rollbacks on climate agreements and renewable energy projects, those of us in the Pioneer Valley who cherish nature may feel uncertain and anxious. But beyond just affecting nature, the new president’s policies also impact leisure activities, recreation, and sport. As a sports lover, I am concerned about President Trump’s (lack of) environmental agenda. If you care about sports — from community games to professional leagues — there are things we all can do to protect this favorite pastime.

By JOSHUA ROSE

Once upon a time, it was called Bri-Mar Stables and described as “a quaint equestrian facility nestled in the heart of Hadley … providing a welcoming environment for those passionate about all things equine.” The property had a barn at the top of a hill on Moody Bridge Road and a track for riding out back near the Fort River.

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — Small Victories, a retail shop that has taken root downtown, began in the same way the business’s seed paper stationary does: start with dirt, add water and soon something will sprout.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

EASTHAMPTON — Several mysteries surround American eels, a species that spends a portion of its life in Massachusetts. For example, no one has ever observed the species spawn, and only one has ever been tracked in the wild.Students at Easthampton’s...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Residents, town officials and the legislative delegation are raising concerns about a proposed forest management plan for land at the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir that could involve removing many tall white pines using large equipment...

By MONYA RELLES

I got on a train headed from Albany, New York to Charlottesville, Virginia, on July 14. Then I endeavored to walk home.I followed the Appalachian Trail for two months and approximately 650 miles. I carried around 45 pounds of stuff, ate about a pound...

By BILL DANIELSON

Stress. Anxiety. Panic. Sound familiar? Well, don’t worry because it’s not just you. Everyone is feeling it. You are not alone. That being said, the feelings of stress, anxiety and even the occasional rush of panic is no less real just because others...

By BILL DANIELSON

September and October are months of farewell and I spend a lot of time trying to squeeze in a last visit with each species of bird before the they finally decide to pack it in and head south. Great friends that have spent the entire summer with me...

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM

During her nearly three decades roaming the snowy wilderness of the Teton Range, Grizzly No. 399 became a beloved mama bear with millions of parkgoers following her yearly adventures and her ever-growing family tree.Nature lovers are mourning the...

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

A new conservation agent has been hired to serve the towns of Williamsburg, Whately, Ashfield, Buckland and Hawley.Greenfield resident Kelly Kowal was chosen out of 27 applicants. A hiring committee consisting of representatives from each town...