Blog Archive

Friday, October 31, 2025

A "Wholly Protected Landscape" Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Some good news from our friends at Kestral Trust: "2,000+ Acres of Forest in the West Quabbin Region [are now] Permanently Conserved...The land will be stewarded as “forever wild,” taking a passive management approach to the forest to encourage old growth conditions to develop." Presumably that means no destructive logging. Kristin DeBoer, Executive Director of Kestrel Land Trust joins us for the details. As usual we will also introduce you to the week's Fool-on-the-Hill and "Those Whose Brains Were small" as well as the usual reminder that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" and more but first it's time for.......Revenge of the Critters! An actual horror story about a certain spider and its victim. 

It's always Halloween here on The Enviro Show so we happily load up our Brains Were Small segment with a listener suggested "Monster Slash" for your viewing pleasure. We think you'll appreciate the cosplay and the excellent wordplay too!  We know a good many MAGA-type voters are now suffering from buyers remorse so this one's for you. O, and this one also. Happy Halloween! 

Speaking of monsters, this week's Fool-on-the-Hill seems to qualify. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, Repug from Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District and House Majority Whip described organizers of the recent #NoKings  rallies as a “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party and a “hate America” movement. Rose Thelen of Wright County Indivisible noted: "Emmer himself has previously urged restraint in political rhetoric. “This is the same representative who called for toning it down after the murders of Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk,” she said. “His hypocrisy is stunning.” Indeed.

Our Doublespeak of the Week comes from His Malignancy himself, bullshitting the White House Press Corp about the second biggest demonstration in U.S. history <#NoKings> (eclipsed only by the 1st Earth Day) : "I think it's a joke. I looked at the people. They are not representative of this country," His Malignancy said. "And I looked at all the brand-new signs paid for—I guess, it was paid for by [George] Soros and other radical left lunatics. It looks like it was. We're checking it out. The demonstrations were very small, very ineffective." O......really?

Since we're on the subject, let's review some of The Mad King's (who is #NoKing) latest. Setting aside just lame-ass moves like pardoning bullshit artist extraordinaire, George Santos or trying to revive zombie nukes,  how about "opening the entire coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing"?  Why stop there? What about his "plans to rescind the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly known as the Public Lands Rule"? Go HERE for more on that. Then there's "The Interagency Weaponization Working Group" Reuters reported on last week:  "A group of dozens of officials from across the federal government, including U.S. intelligence officers, has been helping to steer President Donald Trump's drive for retribution against his perceived enemies, according to government records and a source familiar with the effort." Sound familiar? But wait, there's more! "The New York Times reported on Wednesday that during a call in March with right-wing activists, the woman, [Heather Honey] who has since been appointed to [the] President['s]...newly created “election integrity” position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had suggested that the president could declare a “national emergency” to give his government new authority to dictate election rules typically decided by state and local governments."  AND, when we protest against that it seems like we may be confronted by his "quick reaction force" made up from the National Guard from all 50 states. Sound sketchy? The National Guard is hardly SS material. 

Like we said, it's always Halloween here on The Enviro Show so we want to share our Monster of the Year with you given what we just covered....

 

Look familiar? Actually we used the image last time this monster was lurking about. Now, it's escaped and is staggering around the countryside threatening near everyone. Time to PUSH BACK. 

How can we move on from Halloween for now without acknowledging the Raven as our Critter of the Week?  We can't ignore them, especially since we owe them. "Ravens were persecuted by early settlers in Massachusetts and elsewhere, in part because they fed on grain, and were also believed to feed on some livestock, such as baby lambs..... By the mid-1800s, ravens had pretty much disappeared from the state.....As ravens began their recovery in Massachusetts in the 1970s and ’80s, they visited mainly in winter, especially in the western part of the state. For many years, the Quabbin Reservoir was raven central as part of their early efforts to restore bald eagles in the Commonwealth, regularly put deer carcasses on the ice for wintering eagles to feed on. This practice gave ravens a leg up as well. From 2007 to 2011, there were 100 confirmed nestings in the state and increasing. Corvids, the family of birds that includes ravens, crows, jays, and magpies, in general, are as smart as parrots. Ravens are both predators and scavengers, and their omnivorous diet includes insects, rodents, lizards, frogs, and even the eggs and the young of other birds, according to National Audubon. They regularly eat carrion as well, subjecting them to potential poisoning by rodenticides. Please take action to protect them HERE.

Back to the horrors being foisted upon us by the real "enemy within", those who promote and maintain The War Against Nature. Yes, "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid!" and the stupidity knows no bounds when it comes to the forces behind AI. Our last show focused on much of that but this report from Inside Climate News  goes a step further: "Data center energy demand “is threatening to sabotage the country’s already faltering climate goals,” wrote John Fleming and Jean Su, with the Center for Biological Diversity, in a report published Wednesday. Fleming and Su found that, if AI data centers powered by fossil fuels grow as forecasted, all other sectors of the U.S. economy would need to cut emissions by 60 percent in order for the U.S. to meet its emissions targets." Yes, that's a lot and not likely to be reached. And speaking of faltering climate goals, the NY Times informs us: "The world is not moving quickly enough to achieve global goals to reduce methane emissions by the end of the decade, a United Nations report found." That at the same time "A U.S. diplomatic broadside personally led by [the[ President...derailed a historic effort to tax climate pollution from shipping." And "An enormous solar power project in the Nevada desert that would have been one of the world’s largest has been canceled under.." [you know who]. Of course there's more but let's move on in the name of mental health.

Our Enviro Show Quote of the Week is a hybrid that came to us from Vote Common Good:

"The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction and the distinction between true and false no longer exist."  - Hannah Arendt

 AND: "This week, Pope Leo quoted that very warning when he told international news agencies they must stand firm against "the ancient art of lying" and the "quicksand of approximation and post-truth." 

After our conversation with Kristin it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

 

Weekly. Here's what appears to be Indivisible Northampton — Swing Left Western Mass's complete daily listing of all the pro-democracy events in WMass:  https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html  And This: Western Mass General Strike is hosting drop-in sessions on Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Hadley Public Library for conversation and networking around general strikes and other forms of economic resistance. The next one is on Oct. 22! We also invite you to our general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7-8:30, online. If you would like to get involved in organizing prior to that, contact us at wmgeneralstrike@proton.me. And This: Every Wednesday, 11am-1pm | Bearing Witness to ICE, Burlington, MA. Stand in solidarity outside the ICE Enforcement & Removal Operations Office. Together, we can show love and support for immigrants, express our shame at ICE, and bear witness to the cruel and unconstitutional actions of our government. Info/Sign Up

 

 

Saturday, November 1, 2025, 9:30am to 4pm.  Non-violent Direct Action training, Leyden, MA. Leyden Town Hall, 16 West Brattleboro Road, Leyden ( please note, the training is not at the Town Office!  Google will insist!  You want to go to the top of the hill to a traditional New England Town Hall). Registration required: https://forms.gle/TwQXAjd2xQdF2KPx8 Coffee/tea/cider/pastry/fru. it provided/  Potluck lunch.
 
 

Saturday, Nov 1, 11 am - 12:30 pm: Disappeared In America Day of Action, Town Common, Amherst. WMILAN, JAIJ and Indivisible Northampton are organizing this event as part of a national day of action to call attention to our community members who have been disappeared by ICE. Registration for the event is at this link: Register here on Mobilize.us.


 
Sunday November 2, 2 to 4pm. Greening Greenfield invites people to sign up for its first of several invasive shrub-clipping parties in Highland Park, Greenfield, MA. Participants will learn about these shrubs and more. No experience needed. Some tools, such as hand clippers will be provided. Pease wear gloves, and bring any clippers you may have. To sign up for Nov 2, 2-4pm party and future announcements of additional Sunday afternoon parties send an email to info@GreeningGreenfieldMA.org or call 413-774-5667.
 
 
 
Monday November 3, 5:30 to 7:30pm.  Greening Greenfield with co-sponsors, Franklin Regional Council Of Governments (FRCOG) and Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee (SGIC) will host an Energy Fair presenting a number of local vendors who will share the latest information on home energy technologies for your home heating and cooling. Register HERE
 
 
Tuesday November 4, 12 – 12:45pm.  Mothers Out Front Climate Action Call with Senator Michael Barrett [who] has been a driving force in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass legislation that addresses climate change, and was a primary architect of the omnibus climate bills that passed the last several sessions. Don't miss this chance to hear directly from him about climate legislation this session and how you can help pass the best bill possible. RSVP here 
 
Thursday November 6, 10am to 12pm.  "Understanding Watershed Forestry-Managing for Climate Change" [Be prepared for DCR propaganda] Approximately 1 mile- Easy hike but over uneven groundJoin a DCR- DWSP forester to explore a recent harvest focused around a chestnut oak heath ( an uncommon forest type in Massachusetts ) and management in the surrounding forest. We will discuss why DWSP manages the forests surrounding the drinking water supply of 2.7 million Massachusetts residents, and how DWSP managers consider climate change with every decision.  Meet at Gate 8 and carpool to site 
 
 
 
Thursday November 62 p.m.   The MA Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) and Office of Environmental Justice and Equity (OEJE) have released draft proposed regulations and draft guidance on the application of Cumulative Impact Analysis to the new Consolidated Permit process for discussion purposes ahead of the upcoming Cumulative Impact Analysis Webinar at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6.  The webinar will provide an overview of the proposed draft guidance and regulations for Cumulative Impact Analysis and opportunity for public input.  The guidance drafted by the OEJE is meant to inform the proposed regulations, which are drafted by EFSB staff. The webinar precedes a formal rulemaking process that will include further opportunities for comment. The EFSB will provide information on that rulemaking process after the webinar.  Please register here for the webinar. We will also accept written comments on the draft guidance submitted to ej.inquiries@mass.gov, and on the draft proposed regulations submitted to sitingboard.filing@mass.gov through November 17, 2025.
 

 

Thursday November 6, 5:30pm. Wild Lands: What They Are, and Present and Future Opportunities for Protection and Restoration. In-person at the Hanover, NH, Howe Library, and on zoom. Join National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan, Adirondack Council Rewilding Advocate John Davis, and Northeast Wilderness Trust CEO John Leibowitz for a free discussion of wildlands and rewilding, with a particular focus on the lack of wildlands in New England, and opportunities to re-introduce carnivores and establish “wildways” of interconnected land. More information and Zoom RSVP here. 

 

Saturday November 8, 10am.  The 1,185-acre Mount Sunapee Reservation contains majestic old forest that has been undisturbed for at least 350 years, but lacks any status that would protect it from ski area expansion and other threats. Join the Hanover Conservation Commission and local advocates for a relatively steep, 4-mile out and back hike. Meet at the lower parking lot on the Mt. Sunapee Access Road. More information and RSVP here. 

 

 

Saturday November 8, 2:00 - 4:00pm: Fifth Annual Rally and Banner Drop "Democracy is Still Alive," Amherst Town Common. Hosted by Amherst Feminist Generation and Amherst League of Women Rain date is November 15th at the same time. 

 

 

Saturday November 8, 4pm — Standing Trees Annual Gathering at the Dartmouth College Church of Christ in Hanover, NH. Join us for a catered meal and an excellent opportunity to connect with the whole Standing Trees community. The Standing Trees Board will lead us in a brief discussion of organizational business and a celebration of everything we have been up to over the last year. RSVP here to help us estimate dinner needs.


 

 

Tuesday November 11, 3 – 5pm.   Stand with Veterans as we march, rally, and refuse to allow growing fascism to be normalized. Together we say NO this Veterans Day - no to ICE, no to occupation, no to fascism, and no to cuts stripping away life saving services our communities need. Veteran's Memorial Park - World War II Memorial, 100 Park Dr.  Boston, MA 02215  Go HERE
 

 

Wednesday November 12, 10am to Noon.  You think nuclear is the answer to Climate Change? Think Again. Dr. Edwin Lyman, Union of Concerned Scientists, Director of Nuclear Safety presents: The Risk of Small Nuclear Reactors: Separating Fact from Fiction.  Senate Room 222, MA State House, Boston, MA. 

 

 

 

OK for now but please remember to listen to your Mother, OK? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

No comments: