You hopefully know about the unique Jurassic armored mud balls (“JAMBs”) — rare geologic features only easily seen in the red sedimentary rocks of Franklin County! We hope to make these intriguing and photogenic 200-million-year-old round balls of mud (now rock) with a rim of pebbles (the armor) our “State Sedimentary Structure.” The JAMBs would join over 50 other symbols that are unique to Massachusetts, such as our state dinosaur, Podokesaurus holyokensis, and our state fossil, Dinosaur Footprints.
The “Joyfully Jurassic” bills H3438 & S2115 are now in these committees: House — bills in the Third Reading, and Senate — Rules Committee. While we have positive comments from members, it is important that these bills not be lost in the mass of others that must get through committees by a mid-April deadline. Contact state legislators urging their continued support as well as the two committee chairs (Senate Rules — Joan.Lovely@masenate.gov; House “Third Reading” — Thomas.walsh@mahouse.gov)
Let’s make sure the JAMBs, such an ancient and unique part of our Massachusetts’ heritage, are preserved and celebrated. The official state designation will not only spur education and appreciation about our geological past but bring tourists to places like the Great Falls Discovery Center and Greenfield Community College where large outdoor specimens are displayed.
More information and a movie can be found at https://ArmoredMudBalls.rocks.
Thank you, Richard D. Little, Prof. Emeritus, Greenfield Community College and Chair of the 30 member “JAMB Working Group.”
RDLittle2000@aol.com, (413)527-8536, 6 Grandview Ln, Easthampton MA 01027
Richard Little, professor emeritus, Greenfield Community College
Easthampton