Road-Stream Crossing Training
Conservation District Open Meetings Scheduled
April 17, 2017 — Pittsfield, MA — Berkshire Conservation District holds open monthly board meetings to discuss and decide upon district business every second Wednesday of the month at 5pm unless otherwise specified on their blog site, berkshireconservation.
Hoosic River Revival (HRR) and Railroad Museum Collaborate on Project Design
Given the proposed new location of the Model Railroad Museum from Heritage Park to one section of the River Revival’s Phase One restoration, the leaders of both organizations are discussing working closely with the Museum’s architect on a more jointly designed endeavor. All agree that a ‘RR/ HRR Museum Park’ enhances both projects, and has the potential to create a much more dynamic asset for the city. The goal is to develop easy pedestrian/biking/shuttle access points from Route 8, MASS MoCA, Main Street, and MCLA. From Hoosic River Revival’s April 2017 Newsletter. <more>
CVS Health Takes Major Step to Address Chemicals of Consumer Concern
Today CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), took a major step forward in advancing its efforts to address chemicals of consumer concern by announcing the removal of parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors across nearly 600 beauty and personal care products from its store brand CVS Health, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines. The Promise Organic line of store brand products also does not contain any of these ingredients. CVS Pharmacy will stop shipping store brand products that don’t meet these standards to distribution centers by the end of 2019. <more>
Hoosic River Revival (HRR) and Railroad Museum Collaborate on Project Design
Given the proposed new location of the Model Railroad Museum from Heritage Park to one section of the River Revival’s Phase One restoration (see proposed museum building, the red rectangle, on the drawing of the South Branch below), the leaders of both organizations are discussing working closely with the Museum’s architect on a more jointly designed endeavor. All agree that a ‘RR/ HRR Museum Park’ enhances both projects, and has the potential to create a much more dynamic asset for the city. The goal is to develop easy pedestrian/biking/shuttle access points from Route 8, MASS MoCA, Main Street, and MCLA. Stay tuned for more details.
Hoosic River Revival, with funds from the MA Div. of Ecological Restoration, will be working on a conceptual plan for the North Branch. The North Branch is now ‘on the front burner’ of their restoration work since Phase One on the South Branch has had to temporarily be put ‘on the back burner’ while the RR Museum finalizes its size and location. The world-renown urban design firm Sasaki Associates, which created the South Branch design, was chosen by DER to undertake this $210,000 project. The North Branch is steeper, the water flows faster, and adjacent land is scarce. Therefore this will be a challenging endeavor, but it is important to develop the preliminary designs as soon as possible for both Branches that are within these aging concrete walls.
CVS Health Takes Major Step to Address Chemicals of Consumer Concern
Parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors will be removed from extensive line of store brand beauty and personal care products
Company also publishes full list of restricted chemicals
WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 19, 2017 – Today CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), took a major step forward in advancing its efforts to address chemicals of consumer concern by announcing the removal of parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors across nearly 600 beauty and personal care products from its store brand CVS Health, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines. The Promise Organic line of store brand products also does not contain any of these ingredients. CVS Pharmacy will stop shipping store brand products that don’t meet these standards to distribution centers by the end of 2019.
As a company driven by its purpose of helping people on their path to better health, this latest action is a significant milestone in CVS Health’s journey toward more sustainable products that satisfy consumer expectations. The company has also published its full list of restricted chemicals by product category here.
“We are committed to providing our customers with the safe, efficacious products that they are looking for,” said Cia Tucci, Vice President of Store Brands and Quality Assurance at CVS Health. “We listened when customers voiced their desire for products that provide the benefits they need with fewer ingredients of concern. Today’s announcement is a natural step in the evolution of our comprehensive approach to chemical safety.”
While all store brand products have always been subject to stringent standards of safety, quality and environmental responsibility and – at a minimum – meet all federal and state requirements, customer feedback has driven this move to eliminate parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors. In addition to listening to customers, CVS Health has also engaged with industry experts and key advocacy groups to ensure that product quality can be maintained through this transition. Over the past several years, CVS Health has engaged with the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF) coalition and its Mind the Store campaign, an organization working to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products, strengthen the understanding of chemicals of consumer concern and inform opportunities for retailers to advance chemical safety in consumer products.
“This announcement is an exciting milestone not only for CVS Health, but for retailers and the role they play in driving change toward safer consumer products,” said Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. “We applaud CVS Health for the action it is taking today and we look forward to continued collaboration ahead. We hope other retailers will follow suit.”
The evolution of CVS Health’s chemical policy builds off a foundation laid over the last decade to advance its chemical management efforts. In 2007, the company became the first major drugstore to establish a Cosmetic Safety Policy. Since then, CVS Health has made substantial progress toward sustainable chemical management, including the launch of the WERCSmart tool in 2013 to ensure suppliers register ingredient information for all chemical-based products. In 2016, CVS Health became the first major pharmacy chain in the country to become a signatory of the Chemical Footprint Project.
“Our consumers expect both transparency and quality when it comes to ingredients in the products they use,” said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of CSR and Philanthropy at CVS Health. “This is an important step, and we look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to address additional chemicals of consumer concern and focus on more product categories in the future.”
For more information on CVS Health’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, visit: www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.
Volunteer Opportunities in the Berkshires w/The Trustees
“Time travel” with The Trustees, and take our visitors on the voyage with you! Become a National Historic Landmark Greeter at Mission House (Stockbridge) or Tour Guide at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead (Cummington) and share the stories and magic of these special places. No experience necessary. Training provided. Fridays through Sundays. Flexible. Fun. Social. Rewarding.
Visit www.thetrustees.org/volunteer or contact tbeasley@thetrustees.org or413.532.1631 ext. 3119 for more information.
Mass Audubon – Berkshire Nature Camp Counselor – Lenox
Location: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox, MA
Responsibilities
- Plan, develop and implement a variety of outdoor activities utilizing Pleasant Valley’s 1300+ acres of forests, fields, streams and ponds
- Are responsible for supervising the health and safety of campers
- Maintain communication with parents and other staff
- Must be able to work and learn together, have outstanding communication skills, and be willing and able to share their interests and talents with children aged 5-14
- Provide leadership and mentor Leaders in Training (LITs)
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old
- College experience preferred
- Should have knowledge and interest in the nature of the Berkshire region
- Applicants with a background in Environmental fields, education, or the arts preferred
- Experience working with children
- Willingness to obtain certification in CPR/First Aid are required-training is provided
- Lifeguard/water safety certifications or Wilderness First Aid desirable
- Must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI)
- And…of course, flexibility and a sense of humor is a must!
Compensation and Benefits Rate of Pay: $11.00- $12.50 per hour (depending on experience and position).
Additional Information Camp Session: June 12 – August 19, 2017 Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm or 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Must work at least two camp late nights during the summer.
How to Apply Please send (email preferred) your cover letter and resume to: Gayle Tardif-Raser – Education Coordinator, gtraser@massaudubon.org, 413-637-0320, or Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA. 01240
Outreach and Education Coordinator – BEAT – Pittsfield
The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is seeking an Outreach and Education Coordinator for 20-25 hrs/week. The job pays $15/hour. Pay is monthly. Must be absolutely passionate about wildlife and wildlife habitat protection! BEAT has a strong anti-discrimination policy and you must be able to work well with ALL types of people, and ALL types of people are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities include: producing the weekly e-newsletter called The BEAT News, website updates, social media updates, writing and distributing press releases, scheduling monthly Green Drinks guests and publicizing same, set up/break down and attendance at monthly Pittsfield Third Thursdays from May to September as well as tabling at many other events throughout the county.
Must be available to work evenings & weekends several times every month. Must be extremely detail oriented and able to work without supervision. Knowledge of full suite of Microsoft Office products or similar software. Ability to use Google Groups and docs. Some knowledge of HTML a definite plus – will be required to learn some HTML programming. Must be an articulate writer. Please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample of why you care about wildlife habitat protection to Jane Winn, Executive Director, at jane@thebeatnews.org
Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, race, color, veteran status, marital status, size, religion, sexual orientation, LGBTQ+ status, socioeconomic background, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to the people we serve, our volunteers, our staff, our interns, and our Board of Directors.
Visit www.thebeatnews.org to learn more about BEAT!
Executive Director – Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) – Belmont, MA
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) seeks an Executive Director. MACC is a small membership-based non-profit, established in 1961, that protects Massachusetts’ wetlands, open space, and biological diversity through environmental education, advocacy, and support of Massachusetts conservation commissions. The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer, reports to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for achievement of MACC’s mission and financial objectives; program planning, development and oversight; board and community relations; finances and fundraising; legislative and regulatory advocacy; and staff supervision. The Executive Director supervises two full-time and one part-time staff.
The successful candidate will have an understanding of relevant Massachusetts environmental laws, regulations, and policy; successful experience in non-profit management and fundraising; a passion for natural resources, and excellent presentation and writing skills. Compensation is commensurate with experience and MACC’s budget.
For a full description of the position, please visit MACC’s website jobs page and download the position description: http://www.maccweb.org/page/ResJobsVolunteering
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by May 15, 2017, to staff@maccweb.org.
Bird Research Technicians – Aton Forest – Norfolk, CT
Aton Forest, Inc. has been awarded an Audubon Connecticut Important Bird Area Grant for 2017 to conduct Breeding Bird Surveys and Breeding Territory Studies in northwestern Connecticut. Two experienced birders will be hired in 2017 as Research Technicians to conduct and report on this project.
Brief Description of Project: This grant will continue and expand the breeding bird research conducted at Aton Forest by hiring two experienced birders to complete breeding bird surveys along three established survey lines and determine breeding territories within selected managed shrub land and meadow habitats at Aton Forest, Norfolk, CT. Data from such study will go into the eBird database and contribute to the understanding of the distribution, populations, behavior and habitat use of Connecticut’s birds.
Aton Forest (AF) is an ecological research field station in the Northwest Hills of Connecticut in the northeast corner of the Town of Norfolk. The Forest was designated an Audubon Important Bird Area in 2015. Because of its location the Forest falls within a rather unique geographical area of Connecticut, part of the Berkshire Plateau, with many plants and animals more common further north. The elevation, topography, terrain, weather, climate, and flora all contribute to its special nature. This uniqueness is also reflected in the variety of forest birds that breed there each year. Breeding forest birds include: cerulean warbler, black-throated blue warbler, black-throated green warbler, least flycatcher, magnolia warbler, wood thrush, eastern towhee, American woodcock, and ruffed grouse to name just a few. The AF breeding bird surveys were begun in 2002 and have been conducted continuously to the present day. All breeding bird survey data has been entered into the citizen science database eBird, as well as records maintained at Aton Forest.
Specific Goals and Objectives of Project: There are two goals of the project: one, to organize two breeding bird surveys on each of the three interior survey lines and, two, to determine bird breeding territories within selected managed shrub land and meadow habitats at Aton Forest. The breeding bird line surveys will be conducted between June 1 and 15, 2017; the breeding territory study will be accomplished between June 1 and 31, 2017. It is estimated that the project will require 72 hours per technician and wages will be $15 per hour. Aton Forest, Inc. will also make sleeping quarters, office space and a computer available for the researchers. Orientation, coordination and supervision will be provided by the Executive Director of Aton Forest, Inc.
There may also be an opportunity for student interns to work on this project, to assist the Research Technicians, to learn research techniques, to better their knowledge of northern Connecticut birds, and to further develop their birding skills.
Anyone interested please contact:
John Anderson, Executive Director, Aton Forest, Inc.
Email: contact@atonforest.org
Aton Forest, Inc.
P.O. Box 509
270 N. Colebrook Rd.
Norfolk, CT 06058
(860)542-5125
www.atonforest.org
www.sandybrook.org
Summer Interns – Environmental Voter Project – Boston, MA
The Environmental Voter Project is now taking applications for the Summer Internship Program run out of our Boston headquarters.
The Environmental Voter Project is looking for highly-motivated undergraduates to join our selective Summer Internship Program. Interns will work closely with the Field Director and the CEO to learn about subjects such as field campaigning, nonprofit communications and data analytics. Interns will be expected to devote time to field outreach, senior staff support, event planning, research, and drafting of membership communications, blog posts, and stakeholder presentations. In addition to gaining valuable nonprofit advocacy skills, interns will become talented organizers and political operatives by learning the nuts and bolts of nonprofit work and electoral campaigning from an exciting and innovative organization. We are seeking responsible, motivated candidates who can commit to 24-32 hours per week for this program.
This is an unpaid internship in Boston, MA.
Our summer interns:
- Learn the latest campaign mobilization techniques
- Conduct voter turnout and election research projects
- Attend weekly seminars on data analytics, polling, and the behavioral science of campaigns
- Mobilize non-voting environmentalists to become more consistent voters
- Gain valuable field and research skills for use on campaigns and advocacy nonprofits
You can find more details and application instructions here.
Please spread the word, and thank you for your support!
Great Summer Jobs with Greenagers!
Apply now.
Greenagers employs 50 youth each year for work on local trails and farms, through our trail crews (3 in Berkshire County and 2 in Columbia County) and our Farm Apprenticeships.
Our new and improved Farm Apprenticeships program is the result of an exciting collaboration with Jen Salinetti of Woven Roots Farm in Tyringham, MA. Jen is the new Farm Apprenticeship Coordinator and she has designed a thorough farm/soil/food curriculum to bolster the paid apprenticeship experience. The program runs from April through November. Apprentices are matched with area farms and are expected to work a minimum of four hours per week on that farm. Apprentices will also participate in the Young Farmer Education Series, bi-monthly farm education workshops and farm tours led by Jen on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Workshops are held at Woven Roots Farm, Tyringham, MA and Greenagers, Housatonic, MA. Farm visits will take place throughout Central and South County.
Participant Requirements: 15-22 years old • Able to manage own transportation • Prepared to work outdoors for a minimum of 4 hours/week • Willing to commit to workshop and farm visit schedule • Ready to engage in community dialogue and discovery
Workshop Topics Include • The Soil Food Web • Food Systems • Food Literacy • Food Diversity • Food Justice • Sustainability • Wholesome Food Preparation
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Salinetti, Program Coordinator.
Apply for a Farm Apprenticeship.
Trail Crews consist of 6-8 youth aged 15-24 and one skilled leader with a minimum of 3 years field experience. Our 2017 Trail Crew options are:
~ Appalachian Trail Crew – runs for 4 weeks in July, Mondays to Fridays. This crew camps on-site during the week, returning home for weekends.
~ Community Crews (2 in Berkshire County) run 6 weeks in July and August, Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Community Crews build and maintain trails for local land trusts and organizations and begin and end each workday at the Greenagers office in Great Barrington.
~ Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) Trail Crews – 2 crews based in Columbia County that build and maintain trails on CLC-owned land.
For more information, please contact Elia Del Molino, Trails Coordinator.
Apply for a trail crew member position.