The BEAT News March 20, 2014

News Headlines

Melville’s Pittsfield Estate to be a Farm Again

Boston Herald

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield estate where Herman Melville wrote “Moby-Dick” will soon be a working farm again. Pittsfield’s Community …

There are still a few CSA shares available (both large, $500, and small, $275).  Email Kristen Laney at MelvillesArrowheadFarm@gmail.com for more information or to reserve your share!

Return to list of headlinesComing Very Soon! Project Native’s 4th Film Festival

REVOLUTION, a film by award-winning director Rob Stewart, to kick off the festival at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Ten current environmental films will be shown FREE at Project Native’s 4th Film Festival on Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 30th in Great Barrington, MA.

The festival will kick off Saturday, March 29th at 7pm with a special screening of Revolution, an award-winning film by Rob Stewart, director of Sharkwater.  Startling, beautiful, and provocative, Revolution has already won awards at international film festivals.  Revolution is not just about the environment “it’s a film about hope and inspiration. It is an urgent call-to-action with an uplifting message that tells us it’s possible to alleviate the damage already done. While creating this film, Stewart met with experts in their fields to investigate the important issues affecting our lives. In an effort to uncover the secrets to a safer world, Stewart goes on an adventure filled with action and drama that will leave audiences around the world, at any age, inspired about how they can get involved in the fight to save our planet.

“Our goal is to not only show the problems facing our world, but to also inspire action for positive change,” says Karen Lyness LeBlanc, Education & Outreach Coordinator for Project Native.  Project Native is encouraging middle, high school and college students and teachers to attend and bring their friends.  This event is FREE, thanks to support from the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.  A panel discussion will follow the film.

On Sunday, March 30th Project Native will once again host a full day of environmental films at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington.  As in years past, the day will start at 10:00 am with a film for children and families. “We are thrilled to be showing Flight of the Butterflies at our Family Program this year,” says Karen Lyness LeBlanc.  “This summer hundreds of children (and adults) learned about native habitats, butterfly lifecycles and conservation while participating in bug safaris or visiting our native butterfly house.  Now with Flight of the Butterflies in 3D they can follow a Monarch Butterfly on its epic migratory adventure.”

For the remainder of the day, a variety of films will be shown on a wide-range of current environmental topics including:  salmon farming, GMOs, Tarsands, invasive Asian Carp, fracking and industrial hemp.  A complete schedule and film synopses are available at www.projectnative.org.

 

TICKETING INFORMATION 

Tickets for REVOLUTION on Saturday, March 29th will be available at the Mahaiwe box office.  Tickets for all films showing Sunday, March 30th at the Triplex Cinema will be released that morning at the Triplex box office.

In an effort to reach a wide and diverse audience all films will be shown free of charge. Donations of any amount are always appreciated and help support future educational events.

This festival would not be possible without the generous support of the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.   Project Native is pleased to announce its Official Sponsors for this event:  Berkshire Coop Market, Bobbie Hallig, GoodWorks Insurance, JPC Capital, Kenver, Kripalu, Qualprint and the Triplex Cinema.

Additional information and further details on the Festival can be found at www.projectnative.org.

Project Native is a non-profit environmental education organization committed to growing native plants, maintaining a native butterfly house and wildlife sanctuary, and promoting stewardship of the local landscape.

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There are Two More Opportunities to Participate in North Adams Vision 2030!

Thursday, March 27: Land Use and Infrasture and Services Workshop
North Adams Public Library (74 Church Street)
5:30-7:00 p.m.
How do you envision North Adams growing forward into the future? How can land use support goals from other plan sections, such as Housing and Neighborhoods or Open Space and Recreation? You will have a chance to review and comment on different future land use scenario, as well as review goals and policies from the Infrastructure and Services chapter. We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, April 29: Final Workshop and Public Hearing at City Hall
Public Hearing for the NA Vision 2030 Plan. We hope you all will join us to offer your support. This will also include a workshop format where we’ll be seeking input about priorities for implementation.

Don’t forget:
We’ve revamped the VISION 2030 webpage to make it more user-friendly. This can also be reached through the City’s website (http://www.northadams-ma.gov), using the Vision 2030 link on the left side of the main page. The “Documents” page now holds all materials available for review, including draft chapters.

Other ways to send comments: 

  • Please use the “Contact Us” feature at the top of each page to send comments;
  • Submit by email to mgreer@northadams-ma.gov;
  • Write to the Office of Community Development, City Hall, North Adams, 10 Main Street, North Adams, 01247; or
  • Call the Office of Community Development at 413-662-3000 x3025.

Thanks again for your interest and participation, and we hope to see you at these upcoming events!


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Revisions to MassDEP Wetlands, Waterways, and Water Quality Certification Regulations

After more than two years of extensive work reviewing and incorporating public comments, receiving input from advisory committees and other stakeholders, MassDEP will be promulgating wetlands and waterways regulatory revisions in early 2014. Prior to the effective date, application forms will be revised. Contact your Regional Wetland Circuit Rider for more information and plan to attend one of these informational workshops.

Monday, April 14, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., MassDEP Southeast Regional Office , Main Conference Room, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville

Tuesday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., MassDEP Western Regional Office , 3rd floor Courtroom (NO food or drinks allowed), 436 Dwight Street, Springfield

Wednesday, April 16, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., MassDEP Central Regional Office , Main Conference Room, 627 Main Street, Worcester

Thursday, April 17, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Billerica Public Library, Meeting Room, 15 Concord Road, Billerica

Pre-registration is required for certain regions and should be directed to the appropriate Wetland Circuit Rider for that region. More upcoming Regulatory Revision workshops will be scheduled in the next few months and can be found on this web page once they are scheduled.

Here is a link to an online version of the fact sheet DEP handed out on March 1 describing various regulatory changes, including those related to ecological restoration: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/resources/a-thru-m/macc2014wwregref.pdf

And links to presentations, factsheets and other outreach materials Mass. DEP and others presented/made available on March 1, 2014 at the Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions’ Annual Environmental Conference in Worcester

And information regarding the upcoming informational workshops on several proposed changes to the state wetland and other regulations.

 

Pre-register for the April Regulatory Revision Workshops in the following regions:

Northeast: Pamela.Merrill@state.ma.us

Southeast: Christine.Odiaga@state.ma.us

Central: Nancy.Lin@state.ma.us

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Grant Programs offered by Division of Conservation Services

The Our Common Backyards Grant Program is a new grant program aimed at building a new playground or spray park in each of the Commonwealth’s 54 cities. The program will help cities create or renovate parks in the neighborhoods that need them most.

 

The Landscape Partnership Program seeks to preserve large, unfragmented, high-value conservation landscapes including working forests and farms, expand state-municipal-private partnerships, increase leveraging of state dollars, enhance stewardship of conservation land, and provide public recreation opportunities.  The program offers competitive grants to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and EEA agencies acting cooperatively to permanently protect a minimum of 500 acres of land. FY15 Grant Round Now Open!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, July 31, 2014, 5:00pm

 

February 2014 update: now accepting applications for the FY15 grant round! Reimbursement funding for Open Space & Recreation Plans (OSRPs), other plans to facilitate land conservation, and/or appraisals contracted in order to apply to the LAND or PARC grant program. Available to all communities with a population of 6,000 or fewer people. Funding is non-competitive; all eligible applicants will receive contracts on a rolling basis until all available funding is allocated. Absolute deadline is May 30, 2014.

 

The Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund (P.L. 88-578) provides up to 50% of the total project cost for the acquisition, development and renovation of park, recreation or conservation areas. Municipalities, special districts and state agencies are eligible to apply. Nearly 4000 acres have been acquired and hundreds of parks renovated using the $95.6 million that Massachusetts has received from the state side portion of the federal program since 1965. DCS administers the state side Land & Water Conservation Fund program in Massachusetts. Access by the general public is required.

 

The LAND Program (formerly the Self-Help Program) was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions acquiring land for natural resource and passive outdoor recreation purposes. Lands acquired may include wildlife, habitat, trails, unique natural, historic or cultural resources, water resources, forest, and farm land. Compatible passive outdoor recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, bird observation and the like are encouraged. Access by the general public is required. FY15 Grant round Now Open!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 3:00 pm

 

The PARC Program (formerly the Urban Self-Help Program) was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for park and outdoor recreation purposes. Any town with a population of 35,000 or more year-round residents, or any city regardless of size, that has an authorized park /recreation commission is eligible to participate in the program. Communities that do not meet the population criteria listed above may still qualify under the “small town,” “regional,” or “statewide” project provisions of the program. FY15 Grant Round Now Open!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 3:00 pm.

 

The Conservation Partnership Grants provide funding to assist non-public, not-for-profit corporations in acquiring interests in lands suitable for conservation or recreation purposes. FY15 Grant Round Now Open!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, June 20, 2014 at 3:00 pm

 

This grant provides funds to assist public water systems and municipal water departments in protecting and conserving the quality and quantity of public drinking water supply sources in the Commonwealth. It is a reimbursement program. FY15 Grant Round Now Open!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, June 23, 2014, 5:00pm

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EPA/New England’s 2014 Healthy Communities Grant Program – Application Guidance

The 2014 Healthy Communities Grant Program integrates resources from several EPA New England programs including: Assistance & Pollution Prevention; Children’s Environmental Health and Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Initiative; Toxics; Urban Environmental Program; and Water Infrastructure (Stormwater, Wastewater, and Drinking Water).  The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks, to protect and improve human health and the quality of life, and advance resilience.  The Healthy Communities Grant Program will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that:

 

  • Target resources to benefit communities at risk [areas at risk from climate change impacts, areas impacted by stormwater run-off, environmental justice areas of potential concern, urban areas and sensitive populations (e.g. children, elderly, tribes, and others at increased risk)].
  • Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks.
  • Increase collaboration through community-based projects.
  • Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems.
  • Advance emergency preparedness and resilience.
  • Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

 

The 2014 Application Guidance can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/pdfs/HC2014RFP.pdf.

 

In order to qualify as eligible projects under the Healthy Communities Grant Program, proposed projects must meet several criteria including: (1) Be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the five Target Investment Areas; and (2) Identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the five Target Program Areas.

 

In 2014, Target Investment Areas include: Areas at Risk from Climate Change Impacts, Areas Impacted By Stormwater Run-off, Environmental Justice Areas of Potential Concern, Sensitive Populations, and/or Urban Areas.  Target Program Areas include:  Capacity-Building on Environmental and Public Health Issues; Clean, Green, and Healthy Schools; Community and Water Resource Resilience; Healthy Indoor Environments; and/or Healthy Outdoor Environments.  A description of these target areas can be found in the 2014 Application Guidance.

 

The Healthy Communities Grant Program is currently accepting initial proposals for projects that will benefit one or more of the New England states.  Eligible applicants include State and Local governments, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions/organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts; and non-profit organizations (e.g. grassroots and/or community-based organizations).  EPA plans to award a total of approximately 10 cooperative agreements, each up to a maximum of $25,000, based on availability of funding.

 

There is a two-step process for selecting proposals.  The program requires the submission of an Initial Project Summary as a first step; then applicants with the highest quality proposals will be invited to submit full proposals for consideration.  The deadline to submit an Initial Project Summary is April 24, 2014.

 

To help answer questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program will sponsor four conference calls before the Initial Project Summary is due.  The information sessions are being offered on April 1, 10, 16, and 22, 2014.  These information sessions are optional, but RSVP’s are required.  A registration form can be found in the Application Guidance.

 

For more information, please contact me at 617-918-1797 or brownell.sandra@epa.gov.


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2014 Paddle Nation Project Grants

Outdoor Nation is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications from non-profit organizations who are interested in connecting young Americans with their waterways through recreational paddling. This funding opportunity supports pioneering projects and initiatives that are youth-developed and that result in increased paddling participation. Proposals must be submitted by April 18, 2014.

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Berkshire Botanical Garden Hiring Educators

The Berkshire Botanical Garden seeks Lead and Assistant Educators for its Farm in the Garden Camp, a day camp for children ages 5-10.

Farm in the Garden Camp is held on the beautiful grounds of the Berkshire Botanical Garden in historic Stockbridge, MA. Campers care for farm animals, harvest food they grow themselves, and participate in a wide range of activities: bottle-feeding lambs, making goat cheese, running a farmstand, making fiber crafts, baking treats with eggs collected from the chicken coop, and much more. The camp is small by design, with just 18
students attending each week-long session.

Lead and Assistant Educators will be responsible for a group of children ages 5-7 or 8-10. Educators participate in morning circle, run animal, craft, and gardening activities, oversee snack and lunch time, communicate behavior or medical issues to the Camp Director, and generally act as the leaders of their group throughout the camp day. Outside of the camp’s standard farm-based activities, there is an opportunity built into each camp day for the Educators to lead activities that they design themselves. Past activities include ponding, cooking favorite recipes, creating a play, branch weaving, flower pressing, and many others.

Each age group will consist of one Lead Educator, one Assistant Educator, and one or two teenage Counselors in Training (CITs), as well as a handful of adult activity volunteers. The Educators will report to the Camp Director.

The Lead and Assistant Educator positions run for six weeks: four days of staff training and five weeks of camp. The work day is Monday-Friday, from just before 9am until just after 3pm (exact hours vary for Lead and
Assistant Educator positions). The positions begin on Monday, June 30th, 2014 and end on Friday, August 8th, 2014. This includes a mandatory four-day staff training.

Requirements: Previous experience educating children in either formal or non-formal settings required; crafts, gardening, and/or farming experience preferred. The candidate must be highly responsible, self-motivated,
flexible, and capable of working outside all day. A successful candidate will have an abundance of patience for working with children as well as a good sense of humor and strong work ethic.

The candidate must acquire CPR/First Aid certification before the first day of camp (July 7th, 2014) and pass a background check.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Jamie Samowitz, Director of Youth Outreach Education of the Berkshire Botanical Garden: jsamowitz@berkshirebotanical.org.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; please see http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/about-us/work-with-us/ for individual job descriptions.

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Charles River Watershed Association Seeks Applicants for an Aquatic Scientist

 

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), 2011 winner of the International Riverprize, is an environmental research and advocacy nonprofit based in Weston, MA. CRWA uses science, advocacy, and the law to protect, preserve and enhance the Charles River and its watershed, while developing approaches that are unique in the U.S. to climate change, river restoration, and the economics of sustainability.

 

CRWA is currently seeking an early career aquatic scientist to join our interdisciplinary and innovative team. This individual will manage our extensive field science program including, scheduling and undertaking field research outings, training others in monitoring protocols, maintaining a comprehensive Access water quality database, preparing data reports, and tracking and adhering to project budgets. The individual will also manage CRWA’s internship training program which involves reviewing and approving applicants, providing training, and managing intern schedules and workloads. The successful candidate will also advocate for CRWA’s positions, meet with environmental regulators and local officials, interact with CRWA’s members and the public, write grants, and assist with volunteer events. CRWA’s dynamic work environment and small staff allow for creative and diverse assignments and the opportunity to work as a core member of a team that is advancing watershed science through its work to protect the Charles River.

 

The successful candidate will:

  • Have a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, water resources management, hydrology, environmental engineering, or a related field.
  • Have previous experience working in a related field.
  • Have experience conducting environmental field research, including benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and identification, water quality sampling, stormwater runoff sampling, and streamflow and depth level monitoring.
  • Have experience writing, updating, maintaining and following monitoring protocols or quality assurance project plans (QAPPs).
  • Be highly proficient in ArcGIS.
  • Have strong data management and analysis skills, statistical modeling is a plus.
  • Have effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Have strong computer skills including Excel, Access ArcGIS, and Adobe Design Suite.
  • Be able to perform physical tasks in the field under all weather conditions, including lifting at least twenty pounds without difficulty.
  • Be able to work periodic early mornings, evenings and weekends and have flexibility to be on‐call for water quality sampling during wet weather events.
  • Have a valid driver’s license and access to a car for field work.

 

Additional qualifications:

Candidates must be organized, self‐motivated and demonstrate an ability to work well with others as well as on their own with minimal supervision. Previous experience managing others and in grant writing are plusses.

Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience, recommendations, academic performance, communication skills, and technical skills. This is a full time position with competitive salary and benefits.

 

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a resume by email no later than April 30, 2014 to: Julie Wood, Senior Scientist, jwood@crwa.org. For more information about Charles River Watershed Association, visit www.charlesriver.org.

 

CRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.


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Charles River Watershed Association seeks applicants for the Rita Barron Fellowship

The Rita Barron Fellowship is named in honor of the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CRWA) second Executive Director, who worked for fifteen years as a pioneering leader in river and watershed protection. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for a qualified candidate to work in an exciting and dynamic organization under the direction of some of the country’s leading water resources scientists. The Fellow will work closely with the science and advocacy staff of CRWA on a variety of ongoing projects and programs. Tasks are likely to include some or all of the following: working with and training local volunteers; supervising interns; conducting field work; maintaining field equipment; managing and analyzing data; performing desktop geographic analyses, producing maps and graphic presentation materials; researching, writing and editing scientific reports and grants; and public presentations to various audiences.

The Fellowship is a one‐year, full‐time position, and provides a stipend of $30,000 plus benefits for the work period. The Fellowship, now in its tenth year, provides a recent graduate an opportunity to work in a dynamic non‐profit organization. This position is intended for a well-trained individual entering the field of watershed science and management; individuals with significant experience in this field will not be considered for the position. The position will provide the right candidate with valuable real‐world experience in water resources management, significant on the job‐training and skill building, and opportunities to work with a variety of other environmental agencies and organizations both locally and abroad. The Fellowship runs from June 1, 2014 to June 15, 2015.

The successful candidate will:

  • Have a documented interest in the environment.
  • Have a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: environmental science, water resources, hydrology, biology, chemistry, civil/environmental engineering, or a related field.
  • Be highly proficient in ArcGIS.
  • Have experience working as a volunteer or with volunteers; volunteer management experience is a plus.
  • Be able to perform physical tasks in the field under all weather conditions, including lifting at least twenty pounds without difficulty.
  • Be able to work periodic early mornings, evenings and weekends and have flexibility to be on‐call for water quality sampling during wet weather events.
  • Be available to legally work in the U.S.
  • Have a valid driver’s license and regular access to a car.

Additional qualifications:

Candidates must be self‐motivated and demonstrate an ability to work well with others as well as on their own with minimal supervision. Strong computer, public speaking, research and writing skills are all highly desired, fluency in Spanish is a plus. Experience with environmental field work, particularly water quality monitoring and/or benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, and data analysis, either paid or volunteer, is a plus. Database management or statistical analysis experience is also a plus. Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience, recommendations, academic performance, communication skills, and technical skills.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a resume by email no later than April 3, 2014 to:

Julie Wood, Senior Scientist, jwood@crwa.org. For more information about Charles River Watershed Association, visit www.charlesriver.org.

CRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.

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Invasive Plant Removal Program Volunteer Coordinator

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), a dynamic environmental non-profit organization in Weston, MA. seeks an energetic and creative individual to serve as the part-time, seasonal coordinator for our Invasive Plant Removal Program. This program runs from early May through the end of August. The volunteer coordinator will work between 8 and 32 hours/week during that time with hours concentrated during July and August. The position requires performing physical labor outdoors in all weather conditions.

Duties include:

  • Organize and facilitate volunteer groups to pull invasive water chestnuts from the Lakes District of the Charles River, including recruiting volunteers, scheduling events and staffing events.
  • Plan and staff all volunteer events.
  • Solicit donations for the program.
  • Maintain the project webpage on CRWA’s website
  • Maintain all necessary records for CRWA’s program management and accounting files.
  • Prepare educational materials for volunteers.
  • Work with CRWA to do press for the program and volunteer events.
  • Hand-pull water chestnuts from the Charles River.

 

The successful candidate will have strong organizational, communications and computer skills. Candidates should have a current driver’s license, current CPR and basic first aid certification, and be able to lift 50 pounds. Access to a car is strongly preferred. Experience with volunteer management and canoeing or boating are a plus.

A cover letter and resume should be submitted by email by April 4, 2014 to Alexandra Ash at aash@crwa.org. The successful candidate must be available to start early May 2014 and work through the end of August. Compensation is $14/hour.

CRWA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, or sexual orientation. For more information about Charles River Watershed Association, visit www.charlesriver.org.

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4 Summer Internship Positions with The Nature Conservancy in Great Barrington

Land Steward Internships: The Western Massachusetts Program of The Nature Conservancy is partnering with the Student Conservation Association to hire two interns to assist with stewarding over 7,000 acres in Western Massachusetts. Interns will spend most of their time in the field, checking on preserves, rebuilding trails, monitoring rare species, and preforming habitat management. These are 5-month SCA internships, start date is April 28th.  For more information and to apply please visit:  https://www.thesca.org/serve/position/tnc-western-massachusetts-land-steward-internship/po-00530203.

 

Outreach Internships: Enthusiastic conservation interns needed for two positions (one 3 months, one 6 months) in Western Massachusetts with Don’t Move Firewood’s summer campaign! Our interns will travel to events throughout the region to educate the public about the issues tackled by Don’t Move Firewood- talking about invasive forest pests moving on contaminated firewood, and how people can help look for and report pests. Experience speaking with the public is crucial, a background and/or education in forest issues, conservation biology, or other related field is desirable. POSITIONS ARE OPEN NOW. To apply, visit The Nature Conservancy’s Job Listing #41992.


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Job Opening: Wetlands Circuit Rider/Data Manager, MassDEP, Worcester

Wetlands Technical Assistance Specialist

 This position is funded from the Commonwealth’s capital budget.

See full job description:

https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/31100001/job/job_view.do?postingId=J40315&code=search.public&federalStimulus=no&companyId=58

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2014.

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