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By EMILEE KLEIN

HADLEY — The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department Service’s Northeast regional headquarters in Hadley is proposed to close on Aug. 31 as part of the federal General Services Administration initiative to end leases for 164 federal office spaces nationwide, according to a list leaked by a government whistleblower.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — Officials at the Greenfield-based Connecticut River Conservancy are left waiting amid the freeze of $13 million in federal funding 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 MADISON SCHOFIELD and CHRIS LARABEE

Four Franklin County towns have received Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grants totaling $350,000 for climate change planning projects.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Stella Verlander, a Greenfield High School senior who plans to study political science in college with an eye toward an environmental law degree, is president of the GHS Sustainability Club. Verlander revived the club following pandemic interruptions, with the aim of educating people about issues related to conservation, climate crises, and political action. “Any obstacles are not about lack of interest,” she said. “The real problem is ignorance.”

GREENFIELD — Greening Greenfield’s next event in its series on supporting birds will take place Monday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, located at 16 Court Square.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ASHFIELD — Tighe & Bond engineers are proposing the town take on a year-long study of the effectiveness of different methods to control the buildup of vegetation and invasive species on the Ashfield Lake Dam.

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, Feb. 27.

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 SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A 500-acre section of forested land connected to Mount Toby in Sunderland, west of Route 63, is being returned to the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band as a gift from W.D. Cowls Inc.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A New Hampshire timber company has closed on a massive land buy of nearly 2,400 acres in seven communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties, acquiring five parcels for more than $20 million from Amherst-based W.D. Cowls Inc.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — The Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, in collaboration with the Franklin County Community Land Trust, has protected the 47-acre Watroba property, described as “a fantastic wildlife corridor” and the home of prime farmland.The Watroba...

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 SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Kestrel Land Trust is permanently protecting a forest featuring more than 200 acres of white pine and mixed hardwoods on Montague Road, where a centuries-old dam was removed over the summer.A $327,000 grant from the Executive Office of...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Selectboard members voted unanimously on Wednesday not to participate in an outdoor air quality sensor program after learning the data collected would not directly benefit the town.The Hitchcock Center for the Environment, located on the...

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — A battery energy storage bylaw that voters overwhelmingly approved in May has been rejected by the state Attorney General’s Office for failing to comply with procedural safeguards embedded into state zoning laws.Wendell residents voted 100...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A $100 million fund to support the health and resilience of the Connecticut River watershed, including money that would go toward improving aging flood controls and dikes and upgrading water and sewer systems, is being sought by area...

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 ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The Historical Commission made its case for the preservation of the Wiley-Russell Dam Thursday in a meeting attended by officials from the Connecticut River Conservancy and Mayor Ginny Desorgher’s office.The meeting followed Desorgher’s...