To the editor:
I would like to express my enthusiastic support for Patrick White of Stockbridge in his running for state representative in the 3rd Berkshire District. Patrick is a person of vision whom I believe possesses the qualifications needed for the job of representative. My personal experience with him has been principally through the leadership role he took in protecting the forests of the historically and ecologically important town property of Ice Glen. In my role as cofounder and president of Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest, I specialize in studying and protecting forests that contain the features found in the Ice Glen woodlands.
Patrick sought to quickly learn all he could about the significance of the old-growth status of that woodland and recognized it as a treasure along historical, ecological, aesthetic, and inspirational lines. He recognized and chose people with specialized knowledge about the Glen and some critical problems its trees faced. Many of the eastern hemlocks of Ice Glen—often exceeding 300 years in age—were suffering from an infestation of a tiny insect from eastern Asia known as the hemlock woolly adelgid. A second alien pest, the emerald ash borer, was attacking the Glen’s white ash trees. Both species reach significant size and age within that property. In impressiveness, these two species equal or surpass all others on similar sized properties in Massachusetts.
Of critical importance, Patrick helped to secure economical treatment for the hemlocks and ash trees, saving them from certain death and, in so doing, ensuring the Glen’s continued important role as a true botanical treasure not only to Stockbridge but to all of Massachusetts.
From my interactions with Patrick, I believe he possesses the right combination of vision, managerial skills, and political savvy to make an excellent state representative.
Robert T. (Bob) Leverett
President, Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Chair, Mass DCR Forest Reserve Science Advisory Committee
Cofounder, Native Tree Society
Florence
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