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Berkshire Museum presents Animals Up Close: The Wolf

The Wolf Conservation Center visits on Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Atka, the Arctic Gray Wolf, will visit the Berkshire Museum once again on Tuesday, February 18, at 1 p.m. The eleven-year-old Atka lives at the Wolf Conservation Center of South Salem, N.Y. The program will include an awe-inspiring, up-close encounter with this important, but misunderstood predator. Tickets for this special Animals Up Close event are $15 adult, $8 child; Museum members $5 adult, $3 child; children 3 and under free. Museum admission is included.

Museum visitors will learn about the history of wolves in the United States, the importance of wolves in a healthy ecosystem, and the efforts to save these magnificent creatures for future generations.

Wild Arctic gray wolves (Canis lupus arctos) live primarily in the Arctic, where the land is covered with snow and ice for most of the year, except for a brief period during the summer. Arctic wolves have adapted well to this icy environment. Atka, like his wild counterparts, has white fur, allowing him to blend into snowy surroundings. To help reduce heat loss, his ears are rounded, he has a shorter muzzle and shorter legs than other gray wolf subspecies. He also has hair between the pads of his feet and long, thick fur to keep him warm in temperatures that as low as minus 70° Fahrenheit.

Founded in 1999, the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, N.Y., promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future. The WCC accomplishes this mission through onsite and offsite education programs. These programs emphasize wolf biology, the ecological benefits of wolves and other large predators, and the current status of wolf recovery in the United States. The WCC also participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Recovery Plan for the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf and the red wolf. For more information about the WCC visit the website at www.nywolf.org or call 914.763.2373.

About the Berkshire Museum

Located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at 39 South St., the Berkshire Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 adult, $6 child; Museum members and children age 3 and under enjoy free admission. For more information, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org or call 413.443.7171.

In association with the Smithsonian since 2013, Berkshire Museum is part of a select group of museums, cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share the Smithsonian’s resources with the nation.

Established by Zenas Crane in 1903, Berkshire Museum integrates art, history, and natural science in a wide range of programs and exhibitions that inspire educational connections between the disciplines. Berkshire Collects is on view through May 11, 2014; Objectify: A Look into the Permanent Collection is on view through spring 2015. Little Cinema is open year-round. Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, Worlds in Miniature, Aquarium, and other exhibits are ongoing.

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Martha Bryan Named Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund Program Manager

“We are energized and excited to welcome Martha Bryan as the new Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund program manager,” explains Dorothy Suput, Founder and Executive Director of The Carrot Project. “She will bring the program to its next stage of development in supporting farm and food businesses in the region.”

Ms. Bryan will represent the Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund (GBAF), work to deepen connections to the greater Berkshire farm and agriculture community, and facilitate thinking about and implementation of new projects involving land access, business technical assistance, and creative financing for farms and food businesses.

The GBAF is designed to help meet the growing demand for local food by supporting the success of sustainable and economically viable farms and food businesses. The program does so by ensuring that small and mid-sized farms and food system businesses have both access to appropriate capital and the financial and business management support services to ensure long-term economic viability. Most recently, the GBAF has worked with Leahey Farm in Lee, Massachusetts and Chaseholm Farm in Pine Hills, New York.

As a program of The Carrot Project, The Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund‘s signature program provides loans to farm and food businesses  for working capital, operations, and/or capital needs such as equipment, buildings, or other improvements for production or value-added enterprises. The GBAF serves businesses located in the four-county region that includes Berkshire County in Massachusetts, Litchfield County in Connecticut, and Columbia and Dutchess counties in New York.

For more information about the GBAF, please contact Martha Bryan, Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund Program Manager, atmbryan@thecarrotproject.org or 617-674-2674.

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Patrick Administration Finalizes Commercial Organics Disposal Ban

On January 31, 2014, the Patrick Administration announced final statewide commercial food waste disposal ban regulations to take effect on October 1, 2014. The press release announcing the regulations is available here: http://www.mass.gov/eea/pr-2014/food-waste-disposal.html

In addition, MassDEP has updated content on the commercial organics waste disposal ban and related initiatives on the MassDEP web site, including:

Final Regulation Amendments (Note: the full 310 CMR 19.000 regulations posted do not yet reflect the January 31, 2014 amendments. This document will be updated next week.)
Response to Comments
Guidance for Businesses, Institutions, and Haulers
General Waste Ban Fact Sheets
Organics Action Plan (updated January 2014)

Note: The final revised Waste ban Guidance Document for Solid Waste Facilities has not been posted yet. MassDEP is holding this document to review it and ensure consistency with MassDEP’s Solid Waste Regulation Reform regulations, which will be finalized shortly. MassDEP expects to post this revised guidance document within the next couple of weeks.

In addition to information posted on the MassDEP web site, the RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program has posted information to help businesses and institutions comply with the commercial organics waste disposal ban. Visit the RecyclingWorks homepage at www.recyclingworksma.com for more information. The following specific links may be helpful as well:

Complying with the Commercial Organics Disposal Ban
Estimating Food Waste Disposal
Best Management Practices for Food Waste Collection
Food Donation Guidance
Searchable Service Provider Database

If you are a business or institution looking for help in complying with the ban, please contact RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts at (888)254-5525 or at info@recyclingworksma.com.

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CT Groups Petitioning for Residential Wood Smoke Standards

Feb 6th, 2014 | By Environmental Headlines — CT environmental news 

Health and Environmental Groups Petition the Connecticut DEEP to set residential wood-smoke air standards

Environment and Human Health Inc. has announced that the American Lung Association of the Northeast, the Sierra Club of Connecticut, and Environment and Human Health, Inc. are submitting a petition to the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) asking that agency to set regulatory air standards for residential wood smoke emissions. The Connecticut Fund for the Environment has submitted a letter to the CT DEEP calling for strong action from the agency on this issue.

Residential wood-burning devices, including outdoor wood furnaces, indoor wood stoves and other wood burning devices are emitting hazardous air pollutants that pose well documented health risks to those that are exposed to their emissions. The CT DEEP has generated a map that documents the wood smoke complaints that have come to them from all over the state from people who are being harmed by their neighbor’s wood smoke.

This map clearly shows how widespread the wood smoke emissions problem is in Connecticut. At the present time, Connecticut has no air standards that pertain to residential wood smoke emissions, and therefore the people that are burning wood can put out as much smoke in a neighborhood as they choose.

Outdoor wood furnaces (OWFs) are particularly polluting. The CT DEEP’s own fact sheet about OWFs says “they are harmful to the environment and to human health and they produce a lot of thick smoke which, in addition to being a nuisance to neighbors, has serious health and air pollution impacts.”  <MORE>

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“Energy Vision” toward 80% Reduction in GHG by 2050

Environment Northeast’s (ENE’s) EnergyVision sets forth important steps on four parallel tracks to create an energy system that is safer, cleaner and more affordable and offers the promise of deep reductions in GHG.

Part 1- Illustrated Overview -Read Overview Online

Part 2 -Framework, includes detailed analysis and charts/illustrations -Read Framework Online

Envisioning a clear pathway towards meeting long term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets of 80% by 2050 has been a difficult and elusive task.  Yet, an exciting convergence of technology advances and success in reducing carbon emissions from electricity generation points towards viable solutions that can be implemented now to be on the right path.  It may seem counterintuitive, but the key is to rely more on decarbonized electricity to power transportation and buildings. Consider this hypothetical: if all gasoline powered cars on the road and all buildings heating with fossil fuels immediately switched to modern electric technologies like electric vehicles and high efficiency cold weather heat pumps, GHG emissions from these sources in the Northeast would be cut in half.  With further efforts to transition electricity generation to renewable resources, emissions would continue to fall.  Dramatic changes to our power grid, more decentralized and community energy approaches and redoubled efforts to maximize energy efficiency are needed to make this vision real.

Return to list of headlinesFor Berkshire County Conservation Commissioners – SAVE THESE DATES!

Free MACC Fundamental Units for Berkshire County Conservation Commissioners

Saturday, March 29th

  • Unit 3: The Wetlands Protection Act: Fundamentals, Process and Procedures

(9:00 am – 11:30 am)

  • Unit 4: Plan Review and Site Visit Procedures (includes field session)

(12:30 pm – 3:30 pm)

Saturday, April 5th

  • Unit 5: Wetlands Functions and Values

(9:00 am – 11:30 am)

  • Unit 6: Writing an  Effective Order of Conditions

(12:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) are teaming up to offer four units of MACC’s Certificate Training Program, Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners.  The trainings are offered free of charge for Conservation Commissioners from Berkshire County communities and will be held in Pittsfield.  We hope that you will find these trainings useful and convenient.

It is through the generosity of the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, that these trainings can be offered at no charge to our Berkshire County communities.

For more information about this training series, visit http://www.maccweb.org/edu_ct_fundamentals.html

Please pass this along to fellow Commissioners.

Registration details soon to follow.

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Apply to the Keystone Project  

The Keystone Project trains landowners and community leaders who are in a position to have conservation impact on their community.

This 3-day, retreat style training covers a variety of conservation topics, including:  forest ecology and management, wildlife management, and land conservation in both indoor and field sessions. Participants are also given abundant take-home resources.  Learn more about the Keystone Project.

This year’s training will be April 3rd – 6th at the Harvard Forest in Petersham.  Applications are due March 3rd. Download an application.

In return, participants are asked to promote conservation in their community through activities of their choice.

This year’s training is thanks to our generous sponsors:  DCR’s Service Forestry Program, Harvard Forest, and UMass Extension

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Tamakoce Wilderness Programs

Spring is coming soon. Our Spring Session starts at the end of march so, sign up before March 1st and take $20 off the tuition. Below are the different programs being offered at different locations. Contact us about your location and you will receive a registration /info packet.

Tamakoce Wilderness Programs Mission:

We aim to guide children and young adults into deeper understanding of their relationships with the natural world, themselves and each other.

Program activities include primitive fire making, natural shelters, animal tracking, wilderness awareness games and assorted nature crafts.

Wilderness class schedule:

  • Albany ages 8-12 Winter class- (4 weeks) Wednesdays, Jan. 22,29, Feb. 5,12
  • Albany ages 8-12 Spring class- (10 weeks) Wednesdays, March 26 to May 21
  • Albany ages 5-7 Spring class- ( 6 weeks) Tuesdays
  • Albany ages 12-14 Spring class- (10 weeks) Mondays
  • Pownal, VT ages 6-12 Spring class- (10 weeks) Fridays, March 28 to May 23
  • Rites of Passage for Boys 12-15. Monthly meetings, ongoing

Dan Yacobellis
tamakocewildernessprograms.com
518-658-0328

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2014 Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference – Now Accepting Presentation Proposals

 

The Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife invite you to submit a presentation proposal for the Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference. Proposals will be accepted until March 1, 2014. www.NETWC.org

September 21-24, 2014
Burlington, VT

This Year’s Theme: 
Climate Ready? Wildlife and transportation in a changing world.
Sub-themes, for presentation abstracts to focus on:

  • Infrastructure and Flood Resilience
  • Changing Ecology; Adaptation and Migration
  • Adaptive Policy and Planning
  • Regional Collaboration-shared Visions
  • Opportunity Knocks; Low-cost High Benefit Practices
  • A Landscape Approach to Green Infrastructure
  • Crisis Triage: Planning for and Managing the Unexpected
  • New Directions
  • Other

Formats Accepted:

  • Workshop-format involves group interaction and hand’s on demonstrations. Speaking time is 1 hour including Q&A.
  • Round Table-format is facilitated informal group discussions. Speaking time is 45 minutes including Q&A.
  • Presentation (1 or 2 presenters)-lecture style format. Speaking time is 1 hour including Q&A.
  • Panel Presentation (3 or more presenters)- lecture style format. Speaking time is 1 hour including Q&A.
  • Poster Session-provide a visual representation of your recent research or ongoing projects. Posters will remain on display fir the duration of NETWC 2014

Submit your presentation proposal

by March 1st to be considered.

Click here for more information

and submit your proposal today!

About the Conference 

In an increasingly interconnected world, the array of issues confronting transportation and wildlife officials have increased dramatically both in terms of frequency and complexity. Maintaining road infrastructure and wildlife populations cannot occur in isolation. Every time a stream flows through a culvert or a moose crosses the median, we see another example of how these networks converge in complex ways and with significant implications to the public’s interests in fish and wildlife conservation as well as a safe, reliable transportation system.
The Northeast Wildlife & Transportation Conference is an opportunity to learn from and network with experts from all disciplines related to wildlife and transportation. The conference began in 2004 and focused on wildlife & transportation officials from the northeastern U.S.. Since that time, the range of participants has grown to include representatives from Canadian provinces and other U.S. states.

Today, climate change is yet another stressor that affects wildlife and transportation. Transportation officials are being forced to reevaluate and reprioritize transportation infrastructure in a world of increasingly dramatic and unpredictable weather events. Wildlife officials are facing the reality of populations shifting their ranges and changes in ecosystem composition that were previously unimaginable. These are challenging times, and only through interdisciplinary dialogue will we truly become, Climate Ready

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Wildlife Habitat Grants Available for Landowners

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) invites farmers, woodlot owners, and other private landowners who want to actively manage their property to benefit wildlife to apply for a Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) grant. LIP is designed to reimburse private landowners up to 75% of the total project cost of managing lands to improve habitat for declining types of wildlife in the Commonwealth. The application deadline is March 7, 2014. Eligible applicants must successfully complete their proposed project by June 30, 2015. State and municipal agencies are not eligible for this funding. LIP information and application documents are posted at: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/wildlife-habitat-conservation/landowner-incentive-program-lip.html.

Since 2005, DFW’s Landowner Incentive Program has funded 170 wildlife habitat projects for private landowners from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Past projects have benefited a wide array of species-at-risk across the Commonwealth including but not limited to, enhancement of beach habitat for shorebird breeding, creation of grassland-bird breeding habitat, and habitat maintenance for rare turtles. Through the Landowner Incentive Program, DFW has contributed almost $3.5 million for the conservation of declining species on private land over the LIP’s seven-year history.

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Summer Opportunities in Hopkins Forest!

Property Caretakers – Work outside on all aspects of forest management and caretaking including, trail maintenance, grounds-keeping, gardening, vegetation clearing, educational programs and more.

http://ces.williams.edu/summer-jobs/hopkins-forest-caretakers/

Environmental Analysis Lab Assistants – work on the Forest’s Environmental and Climatological monitoring program–from the field to the lab. Collect data, analyze samples in the lab, and maintain instruments and databases.

http://ces.williams.edu/summer-jobs/hmfces-research-assistant/

Applications due by March 3rd.

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CET EcoFellowship Program 2014-15

The Center for EcoTechnology helps people and businesses in Massachusetts save energy and reduce waste. We make green make sense. For more than 35 years, we’ve offered proven advice and resources to save you money, make you more comfortable at home, and help your business perform better. Working with partners throughout the region, we’re helping transform the way we live and work for a better community, economy, and environment – now and for the future. We provide practical solutions that save energy, materials and money and have a positive impact on our environment and community. We serve residents, business and communities in the areas of energy efficiency and waste reduction and through our retail store, EcoBuilding Bargains.

The Center for EcoTechnology is seeking qualified college graduate candidates for a one-year paid fellowship position to work with our staff and other EcoFellows to carry out community outreach, school education and other activities related to climate action initiatives and educational programming in western Massachusetts. Activities will support the CET’s initiatives to assist residents, students, institutions and businesses across the region in ongoing programs in energy efficiency, home energy services, renewable energy, and waste reduction through recycling, reuse and home composting. The Fellowship offers a full orientation and week-long training by CET professionals in subjects related to above programs, as well as professional development exploring a variety of environmental topics throughout the fellowship. Fellows will be based in one of CET’s locations: Pittsfield, Northampton or Springfield, where they will serve communities in the region.

EcoFellowship Qualifications:

  • We are looking for creative and energetic college graduates (bachelor degree required) with an interest in education and outreach along with a familiarity with issues related to energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, climate change, recycling and resource conservation. Previous experience through volunteering, internships and/or professional work is required.
  • Commitment to the entire Fellowship program, from August 11, 2014 to June 26, 2015, is required.
  • Fellows work a flexible schedule (40 hrs/week) that requires some evening and weekend hours as needed.
  • Computer skills required, experience in creative uses of social media and/or web/graphic design preferred.
  • Driver’s license and own reliable transportation required.
  • Ability to lift and move 50# will be required as necessary for certain placements.
  • Background checks and drug testing will be required as necessary for certain placements.
  • CET is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all to apply.

 

EcoFellowship Salary and Benefits:

Stipend:  $1,650/month for 40 hrs/week, with an additional $2,000 bonus at the completion of the program

Benefits: Health Insurance; paid sick, holiday and vacation; supplies and mileage reimbursement

Required holiday break: December 22-26, 2014

Professional Development:  Week-long training; monthly professional trainings throughout experience

 

Hiring Process:

Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted until April 15th

Interview Process:             Initial interviews are ongoing until April 15th, either in person or by phone.  2nd round interviews will be scheduled for late April/early May, in person required.

Hiring Process:                    Position placements will be offered by mid-May

EcoFellowship Placement: August 11, 2014 to June 26, 2015

 

(For more information visit:  http://www.cetonline.org/about-center-for-ecotechnology/ecofellowship-program/)

 

Duties and Responsibilities of 2014-2015 EcoFellowship placements may include some or all of these tasks:

 

Energy Efficiency Outreach EcoFellowship ~ 2 placements available in 2014 (based in Northampton)

  • Implement the Go Green Campaign – encouraging residents to take practical steps in home energy efficiency, recycling, composting and personal behaviors choices towards a sustainable future.
  • Work directly with staff to assist communities with outreach and education to residents. Examples of outreach activities include staffing information tables, coordinating energy efficiency and building science presentations, implementing hands-on workshops, supporting established EcoTeams, generate EcoHouse parties and other outreach events.
  • Work with staff in generating written and digital media content: writing articles, blog posts and case studies for social media outlets and CET website, developing video content for website and social media, and support regional media engagement
  • Assist on research projects to support the development and distribution of marketing content for CET’s business units (Green Homes, Green Business, and EcoBuilding Bargains).
  • Work with staff to track results of home energy assessments, reviewing contracts, and supporting field staff to optimize our field and office programs.
  • Assist field staff in home energy assessments, reviewing residential homes for potential energy efficiency measures and assist homeowners in behavior changes to improve their efficiency savings.
  • Assist field staff in performing home energy ratings of newly constructed homes, including field visits to the homes to inspect energy efficiency measures and assisting builders who seek to build more energy efficient buildings.
  • Monitor progress of local campaigns to reduce waste and energy use in households.
  • Additional outreach tasks assigned as required by outreach efforts.

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling Outreach EcoFellowship ~ 2 placements available in 2014 (based in Springfield/Northampton)

  • Implement the Go Green Campaign – encouraging residents to take practical steps in home energy efficiency, recycling, composting and personal behavior choices towards a sustainable future.
  • Work with staff to assist communities with outreach and education to residents. Examples of outreach activities include staffing information tables, coordinating energy efficiency and building science presentations, implementing hands-on workshops, supporting established EcoTeams, generate EcoHouse parties and other outreach events.
  • Work with staff in generating written and digital media content: writing articles, blog posts and case studies for social media outlets and CET website, developing video content for website and social media, and support regional media engagement
  • Assist on research projects to support the development and distribution of marketing content for CET’s business units (Green Homes, Green Business, and EcoBuilding Bargains).
  • Seek out businesses and residents to donate building supplies, cabinets, doors/windows and other household items, prepare these products for resale and assist customers at the EcoBuilding Bargains reuse store complete the reuse cycle and reduce household waste.
  • Conduct classroom and school-wide waste and recycling instruction and activities at schools.
  • Assist with the promotion and implementation of Household Hazardous Waste collections.
  • Additional outreach tasks assigned as required by outreach efforts.
  • Green Business Services EcoFellowship ~ 1 placement available in 2014
  • (based in Northampton)
  • Support statewide Green Team program for schools, including: administrative support to the program, writing communications to teachers- emails and newsletters, recruiting educators, work to bring improvements to the program and provide technical assistance as needed to schools to establish recycling and composting programs.
  • (For more information visit:  http://www.cetonline.org/about-center-for-ecotechnology/ecofellowship-program/)
  • Assist our mercury diversion program, providing support to municipalities and hardware retail take back locations and ensuring these locations are stocked with educational materials.
  • Within the CET Green Team, act as Northampton office’s Recycling Liason and work on Greening CET.
  • Support Green Business Specialists to help implement commercial recycling and composting programs and provide subsequent follow up support to these businesses.
  • Create signage and other educational materials for businesses schools and institutions.
  • Track and organize actions and accomplishments for internal purposes and funding report.
  • Learn energy efficiency programs provided by the utility companies and assist Green Business Specialists with outreach, direct installs, and prescriptive incentives.
  • Support statewide Mass Farm Energy Program that assists farms with energy efficiency measures and incentives.  Support includes administrative, programmatic, writing, and outreach.
  • Additional outreach tasks assigned as required by outreach efforts.


Outreach and Education EcoFellowship ~ 1 placement available in 2014

(based in Pittsfield)

  • Implement the Go Green Campaign – encouraging residents to take practical steps in home energy efficiency, recycling, composting and personal behaviors choices towards a sustainable future.
  • Work directly with staff to assist communities with outreach and education to residents. Examples of outreach activities include staffing information tables, coordinating energy efficiency and building science presentations, implementing hands-on workshops, supporting established EcoTeams, generate EcoHouse parties and other outreach events.
  • Conduct classroom and school-wide energy, waste and recycling instruction and activities at schools and youth programs throughout the county.
  • Work with staff in generating written and digital media content: writing articles, blog posts and case studies for social media outlets and CET website, developing video content for website and social media, support regional media engagement
  • Assist on research projects to support the development and distribution of marketing content for CET’s business units (Green Homes, Green Business, and EcoBuilding Bargains).
  • Monitor progress of local campaigns to reduce waste and energy use in households.
  • Assist with the promotion and implementation of Household Hazardous Waste collections.

 

(For more information visit:  http://www.cetonline.org/about-center-for-ecotechnology/ecofellowship-program/)

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