by Kathy Dickinson
On May 22 the Becket Conservation Commission, chaired by Dave Johnson, and the newly formed Becket Lakes and Ponds Council, chaired by Purr McEwen, co-sponsored a forum to address how climate change is impacting our Berkshire lakes and ponds. This program was a sequel to an initial forum held last year to open dialogue between our many Becket lake and pond communities.
The program provided an overview of the current status and anticipated threats to our environment through the eyes of three local experts in their fields. Panelists included Bruce Winn, Professor of Environmental Life Sciences at Berkshire Community College; Emily Stockman, Wetland Specialist and owner of Stockman Associates; and Joe Onorato, Aquatic Specialist and owner of Water and Wetland, LLC.
Initial presentations by the specialists focused on our current situation, but each wrapped up with things we can do to make a difference. Winn, Director and Founder of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (“BEAT”), stated simply “We are long past turn out the lights when you leave the room and take shorter showers.” Although changes to our climate have been gradual, the impacts of rising levels of CO2 are very real and accelerating. The trend is for plants and animals to migrate northwards as our planet warms, but the relative speed with which each species migrates varies, resulting in enormous disruptions to natural cycles while putting many species at risk of extinction.
Stockman shared her boots-on-the-ground perspective concerning extreme wetland conditions, from floods to droughts. She has observed that “departures from normal” over the years aren’t necessarily more frequent, but are more severe and prolonged. These stress-associated conditions provide opportunities for encroachment by invasive species, hampering survival of native plants and animals. Where we used to see typical time-of-the-year restrictions such as a “dry season,” that may no longer be our reality.
As for effects on aquatic management of our lakes and ponds, Onorato noted that we are seeing algae blooms where we have never seen them before, associated with risks to the health of humans and animals alike. Significant storm events alter nutrient levels in bodies of water, directly affecting fish and other wildlife. Since milder winters allow longer growing seasons, even native plant species (not just invasives) can become problematic. An example of this is how quickly purple bladderwort can turn into an overgrown nuisance disrupting enjoyment of a lake. Where an annual November drawdown of a lake used to be an effective management tool, with less freezing that practice is less reliable and many lake communities are resorting to manual and chemical solutions.
The second portion of the forum focused on recommendations to protect the future health of our wetlands. Suggestions from the panelists included getting involved in local politics and increasing voter turnout. According to Winn, while “85% of people self-identify as environmentalists, they don’t necessarily vote that way and that’s the level where change needs to be made.” Another good step is to visit the website SkepticalScience.com for good talking points when engaging others in conversations about climate change. Stockman shared concern for where people get their information. She also pointed out that regulatory pathways have a role to play and the Wetlands Protection Act needs revisions with climate change in mind. For lake and pond communities, water sampling on a regular basis is a proactive measure because the more data you have for your body of water over time, the more prepared you are to respond when a problem occurs.
Onorato reminded attendees that “anyone who lives on a lake cares about it. The keys are education and meaningful conversations.”
