West Springfield Environmental Committee

Mittineague Park wildlife
The bear was young and curious. No sign of mom. Location was along the wood line by the Tatham Soccer Fields at the park.

c/o Nicki Berry

Clean Up Day 2026 recap.
Another successful town wide clean up. At least 100 volunteers from elementary aged to senior citizens took to the town's public areas removing litter and bulk.

Volunteers are what make this event a success. Taking pride in the community and helping maintain a healthier environment.

This year there were approximately 30 sites that received a clean-up. Some light duty and others heavy duty.

Thank you to Councilor LaFlamme, Connor, Forfa and Coyne for helping as well as Mark Noonan from the WS Conservation Department. DPW is a huge asset picking up what's collected and working with us to acquire gear such as safety vests, gloves and litter grabbers. Park & Rec provides us a home base to set up at, this year it was the middle school. Custodian "Rich" at the middle school shadowing us for the day ensuring we were well taken care of.

Village Pizza provided pizza for lunch, Donut Dip for morning donuts and coffee, Costco manager Jon Hager for a $50 gift card for cases of Snapple and juice.

It's that time of year...

West Springfield Clean Up Day
Saturday, April 25th. We're at the middle school as a home base because the Morgan Road Pavilion has construction. On average, upwards of 100 volunteers participate and remove tonnage.

This year marks the 16th year where volunteers spread out throughout town and clear litter and bulk from public spaces.
Roadside, school grounds, parks, conservation areas etc..

Environmental Committee hosts this event in collaboration with the West Springfield DPW and USA Waste. Parks & Recreation provides a "home base" for us at no cost.

This year we'll have a free raffle for gift cards to the Butcher Shop c/o Councilor LaFlamme. Lunch will be c/o Village Pizza. Three party sized pizzas. Free thank you to volunteers. Donuts and beverages in the morning.

See this link for more info and to register.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLUc4GxIZPyFG9ry9YRz4aeZSxqLBs5Tkw1jUN8HZHMtNRIg/viewform

Black bears get creative with their winter dens. You could walk right by one and not even know! Photos show where they den. Each photo is a legit den site. These photos are from winter, however as you trek through the woods this spring, no vegetation so you can see the guts of the forest, you may see something that catches your eye where you ask "what did that"...possible you're looking at a den. Black Bears do not use a den year round. This being said, it's not encouraged you explore one at least through April. Could still be in there. By May they've vacated.

Do they den in MIttineague Park? No. Bear Hole / East Mountain? Yes. Prospect Hill...probably not, landscape isn't conducive. Robinson State Park? No. Provin Mountain? Yes.

Den stats:

Blowdowns 37%
Stumps 21%
Brush piles 11%
Ground nests 11%
Excavations 5%
Tree dens 5%
Rock dens 5%
Other 5%

Moose near Westfield State University.
Not West Springfield, but it's a neat sighting. I spend a lot of time in the woods and have never encountered one in person. Several years ago night hiking on East Mountain in Bear Hole I heard one vocalizing. Bear Hole's forester, Mary Wigmore, treks the guts of Bear Hole's forests and sees moose evidence.

They're more or less in our backyard.

photo c/o Mike Clark on the Westfield Community Forum

You've probably heard both...opossum vs possum. What do we have in North America?

Answer: Opossum. Opossums live in North America; Possums live in Australia/Asia and they look quite different. Only the North American Opossum is known for "playing possum" / playing dead. They may not be cute, but they're great for nature.

Image: Opossum on the left, Possum on the right.

A rare find because they're elusive, spotted salamander. Found Wed March 18th, 6:30pm at the Bear Hole / Holyoke boundary. This yellow spotted salamander is not endangered or a protected species. Their biggest threats is habitat loss and human irresponsibility. 11 salamander species in MA, 3 are protected under the MESA (MA Endangered Species Act).

Bear Hole 7 mile trail race "Run for the Trails"
Saturday, November 1st

7 mile trail race along Bear Hole's trails, offering variable terrain around the immediate reservoir area. Bear Hole is West Springfield's largest conservation area totaling over 1,400 acres and over 25 miles of trails. Bear Hole is owned by the Town of West Springfield but is under land preservation protection c/o a Conservation Restriction held by MA DCR and Mass Audubon.

10am start, arrive between 9am & 9:45am.
$25 registration now thru race day

$50 prize for breaking the course record of:
45:54 for men
54:58 for women

Starting location is opposite the stone pillars, Bear Hole Road parking area, at the end of Bear Hole Road.

Hosted by the civic non profit group West Springfield Environmental Committee. Proceeds benefit environmental programming for elementary students and on-going environmental and trail initiatives in town.

Visit https://www.wsenvironmentalcommittee.org/ for registration form, race map and prior race results. Events link.

Photo credit: Tammy Crosno