Presentation on Benthic Macroinvertebrates to be Held at Williams College

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Hoosic River Watershed Association, Williams College Center for Environmental Studies, and the Zilkha Center for the Environment will host a presentation titled "Turning Stones: a Presentation on Benthic Macroinvertebrates" with aquatic ecologist Declan McCabe on Tuesday, April 29, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Griffin Hall Room 3 at Williams College.

The program is free and open to the public, and families with children are welcome.

During the presentation, Declan McCabe will use a slide show and live aquatic macroinvertebrates to discuss several topics, including:

• The properties of water that support life.
• The differences in the characteristics and inhabitants of flowing and standing water ecosystems.
• Adaptations of organisms that live on the water's surface.
• Non-toxic methods for reducing mosquito populations near homes.
• Low-cost ways to study macroinvertebrates locally.
• Simple actions to protect watersheds and improve water quality.

Registration for this free program is required and can be completed by clicking the provided link.

Declan McCabe is an aquatic ecologist and a professor of biology at Saint Michael’s College. His book, Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water (2024, Down East Books), examines the biodiversity found in rivers. Mr. McCabe has experience communicating biological concepts to students and has also worked with high school audiences. His writings are featured in "Northern Woodlands" and "Connecticut Woodlands" magazines, as well as "The Outside Story" natural history series.

Trees, Tall Grass Will Delineate Williamstown Dog Park

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Wednesday, April 30, 2025

The town plans to designate an 18-acre area, outlined in yellow, for off-leash dogs at the Spruces Park.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday saw regulations that will govern a fence-free "dog park" that the town plans to establish at the Spruces Park.

 

Use of the 114-acre former mobile home park on Main Street has been on the table for the Select Board for more than two years, after a failed attempt by citizens petition to amend the town's leash bylaw at the 2023 annual town meeting.

 

Last September, the board agreed in principle to a plan to designate a section of the park for dog owners to bring their pets off leash.

 

At Monday's meeting, Town Manager Robert Menicocci brought the board a set of regulations that he proposes to post for an 18-acre portion of the park that will be delineated by natural boundaries and colorful "stakes" that the town hopes will keep the animals confined and alleviate the concerns of park users who do not want to be around unleashed dogs.

 

The Spruces Park, which was obtained by the town under the terms of a Federal Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant following Tropical Storm Irene, is subject to FEMA regulations regarding the installation of objects — like fences — that could impede the property's function as a regulatory floodway.

 

Menicocci on Monday showed the board a set of rules for a "Dog Area … delineated by a vegetative buffer … open for off leash dogs seasonally after the buffer has established in the spring."

 

Select Board member Matthew Neely asked if the plan is to plant a hedge row or some type of vegetative border that will help define the off-leash area.