Thank you to Rachel Branch, producer of the television show Solutions Rising for including a “BEAT” series for people to learn more about the fracked gas pipelines proposed to bring gas from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania across New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to a gas hub in Dracut, MA. The show interviews many people providing information about the proposed pipelines as well as the many alternatives to these pipelines.
Last Thursday, Kinder Morgan’s subsidiary, the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, filed three petitions with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) seeking authority to enter some 450 private properties to conduct “surveys preliminary to eminent domain” for the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project. Many landowners have received multiple letters and visits from the company’s agents over the course of two years, even after denying survey permission on multiple occasions. Press Release from PLAN-NE.org.
BEAT Signs On to Democracy Awakening Coalition
This April, thousands will mobilize in Washington, D.C., to spur a Democracy Awakening like never before. From April 16-18, we will gather in our nation’s capital to Rally for Democracy and call for a Congress of Conscience. BEAT has signed on to this effort because environmental protection depends on a democracy that works, where all people have an equal voice and elected officials are accountable to the people and the public interest.
Lee, Lenox weigh ban on plastic bags, polystyrene containers
Lee and Lenox residents soon will have the chance to weigh in on whether to rid their towns of polystyrene containers and single-use plastic bans — with one Lee Selectmen dead set against the bag ban. The Lee Recycling Committee and Lenox Environmental Committee are working together to research, develop and gain community backing for bylaw changes to minimize or eliminate the use of the items. The groups will share what they’ve learned so far during a informational and public input session scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 28 in the auditorium at Lee Middle and High School on Greylock Street in Lee. As reported by Dick Lindsay in The Berkshire Eagle online, January 15, 2016.
Future of solar industry in Massachusetts in hands of Beacon Hill
For the solar industry in Massachusetts, 2016 will be a turning point. But depending on the outcome of pending legislation, that change could be good or bad for the fight against the effects of climate change and the growth of solar power in the commonwealth. With the federal government having extended its subsidy for solar and wind development by five years, more are focusing on the Statehouse in its attempt to reach an agreement on its levels of subsidy for solar. Lawmakers wrapped up the formal fall 2015 session on Nov. 19 without passing legislation addressing net metering. As reported by Scott Stafford in The Berkshire Eagle online, January 16, 2016.
Northeast States Can Use Cap-and-Trade Program and Other Strategies to Reduce Emissions and Save Billions of Dollars
Meeting the emission reduction goals of states within the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will yield billions of dollars in savings and tens of thousands of new jobs each year for over a decade, according to a Synapse study released today. A more stringent RGGI cap, complemented by individual state renewable resource and efficiency standards, will help states achieve their climate goals, which cluster around a 40 percent reduction from 1990 emissions levels by 2030. By Synapse Energy Economics
Jobs
Program Operations Manager, Green Business Services – CET
EcoFellow 2016-2017 – CET
Teacher for After-School Program – Greenagers
Conference Coordinator – Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Land Protection Specialist – Western/Central MA – Mass Audubon
Kinder Morgan seeks immediate access to hundreds of properties in preparation for eminent domain takings, despite lack of established need for pipeline project
PRESS RELEASE
Pipeline Awareness Network of the Northeast (PLAN-NE)
January 19, 2016
Last Thursday, Kinder Morgan’s subsidiary, the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, filed three petitions with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) seeking authority to enter some 450 private properties to conduct “surveys preliminary to eminent domain” for the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project. Many landowners have received multiple letters and visits from the company’s agents over the course of two years, even after denying survey permission on multiple occasions.
President of the Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast (PLANNE), Kathryn Eiseman, said, “These landowners are minding their own business and seeking to simply live their lives in peace. We are working to ensure that they have the legal guidance they need to deal with this assault on their privacy and unjustified intrusion on their property.”
Landowner Carolyn Sellars shared her reason for denying access: “Our land, like most other affected parcels in Townsend, is part of the Squannassit Area of Critical Environmental Concern. We carefully steward this land, protecting its cold water fishery and priority habitat for rare and endangered species. Kinder Morgan has yet to provide a good analysis of feasible alternative routes for the main pipeline and this particular greenfield lateral. When we asked the land agent and pipeline engineer who visited our neighborhood why Kinder Morgan would not just bring the proposed 12inch line down the road, as is common with pipelines of this size, the only answer they could give is that they would have to use Class 4 pipe under the roadway, increasing their costs. This just reinforces that NED is
about corporate greed rather than public safety, respect for the environment, and real public need.”
The pipeline company’s recent DPU filings do not include a request to enter over 100 publicly and privately held conservation parcels in Massachusetts that are on the proposed pipeline route, the majority of which are protected from development under the Massachusetts constitution.
“I hope that our Attorney General stands at the ready to defend our rights as landowners as well as our interests as ratepayers and citizens,” said Cathy Kristofferson, StopNED’s representative to the Mass Power Forward coalition. “This move by Kinder Morgan is entirely out of line not just with respect to landowner rights, but also as far as where we need to be to achieve our climate goals, as the Attorney General’s recent study showed.”
Contact: Kathryn Eiseman, 413-320-0747, eiseman@planne.org or Carolyn Sellars, 978660-7634, casellars@gmail.com.
BEAT Signs On to Democracy Awakening Coalition
When the U.S. Supreme Court issued Citizens United back in 2010, it undermined the integrity of the vote by allowing billionaires and wealthy special interests to drown out our voices. And in 2013, the Supreme Court dealt democracy another blow when it gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in its Shelby County decision.
This April, thousands will mobilize in Washington, D.C., to spur a Democracy Awakening like never before. From April 16-18, we will gather in our nation’s capital to Rally for Democracy and call for a Congress of Conscience.
BEAT has signed on to this effort because environmental protection depends on a democracy that works, where all people have an equal voice and elected officials are accountable to the people and the public interest.
The movements for voting rights, money in politics reform, climate, labor, women’s, immigrant and LGBTQ justice and others are coming together to deliver a resounding message to our nation’s leaders.
Democracy Awakening is mobilizing in April to counter these undemocratic rulings and ensure both the right to vote and the integrity of the vote are upheld in this crucial election year.
A coalition of more than 100 groups, including BEAT, have already jumped on board to make this April action historic.
P.S. If you are interested in learning more about what’s being planned, join the teletown hall on THURSDAY, January 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern to hear from national leaders and activists about the year of action and the April mobilization. Check out this link at the scheduled time to participate!
Future of solar industry in Massachusetts in hands of Beacon Hill
For the solar industry in Massachusetts, 2016 will be a turning point.
But depending on the outcome of pending legislation, that change could be good or bad for the fight against the effects of climate change and the growth of solar power in the commonwealth.
With the federal government having extended its subsidy for solar and wind development by five years, more are focusing on the Statehouse in its attempt to reach an agreement on its levels of subsidy for solar. Lawmakers wrapped up the formal fall 2015 session on Nov. 19 without passing legislation addressing net metering.
The House and Senate versions are now in the hands of the House/Senate Conference Committee, which met on the day it was appointed — Nov. 18 — and has not met since. The Nov. 18 meeting was hastily convened moments after the House and Senate appointed conferees. It lasted just 15 minutes, and an hour and a half later conference leaders announced that no deal would be struck before the Legislature began its weekslong winter recess. Conversations between the two conference committee chairmen, Rep. Thomas Golden, D-Lowell, and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, have been ongoing.
At issue are the caps on how much solar power can be sold back into the grid at the retail rate, a process known as net metering. The caps on net metering limit commercial and publicly funded large-scale solar projects.
Because the caps have been reached in the National Grid service areas of Massachusetts — which includes Stockbridge, Williamstown, most of Lenox, and 14 other Berkshire cities and towns — a number of these solar developments have stalled. Any proposed commercial or public solar projects in those communities wouldn’t be permitted to move forward unless the caps are lifted.
That has resulted in an untold number of jobs and revenue streams in Western Massachusetts drying up because net metering is an essential part of the financial formula that promotes the development and use of solar-generated power.
More importantly, the quicker renewable energy expands, the faster planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide will be reduced, and the catastrophic consequences of climate change will be further blunted.
“We still have a long way to go [in fighting climate change], so the more we encourage the growth of solar, the faster we can get to a clean energy future,” said Ben Hellerstein, state director of Environment Massachusetts. “But without lifting the caps, projects will continue to be stalled.”
Stockbridge is among several communities seeking to build a solar array on closed landfills and other municipal property. Williamstown has both a town solar project and a private residential solar garden in the works, with Lenox pursuing installation of municipal solar panels on the town’s capped landfill. The cap stands in the way of all these efforts.
Net metering caps do not apply to residential solar projects.
Utilities are pushing hard against raising the caps.
“We believe that the Legislature should adopt policies that are consistent with what low-income advocates and business organizations alike have advocated for, specifically no raise in the net metering cap, a more competitive system to determine pricing, a net metering reimbursement that reflects what all other renewables receive, and a rate-design policy that has everyone contributing a fair share to support the electric distribution system,” said Mary-Leah Assad, spokeswoman for National Grid. “These policies are in existence in other states, with Massachusetts being the outlier having the most generous subsidies.”
Assad said that among other things, solar projects require new equipment installation to be connected to the grid, which falls under the grid maintenance costs for National Grid. That cost is then passed on to consumers as required by public utility regulations.
But because solar generators are reimbursed at a retail rate, they don’t carry part of the cost of grid maintenance, leaving the rest of the energy consumers to pick up that expense, she said.
“We are advocating limiting net metering as much as possible so costs to customers who don’t have solar are lower,” she said.
Assad maintains that even though caps have been hit, residential solar continues to grow, and some commercial solar projects will proceed at the higher cost of development.
“We continue to see interconnections at rates never seen before and continue to see lots of interconnection applications,” she noted.
Clean energy advocates want the caps eliminated.
“The fact that so many of these larger projects are unable to move forward should be a real concern to anyone who supports renewable energy,” Hellerstein said. “It’s becoming more and more clear that we don’t have any time to waste. We should be asking: How do we bring as much clean energy online as quickly as possible.”
Legislation pending in the state House/Senate conference committee calls for temporarily raising the caps by 2 percent.
But a 2 percent increase in the caps would only last a few months before they’re hit again. According to Hellerstein, that would only allow the projects already in the pipeline to proceed before the caps are hit again by mid-year, once again putting a damper on the growth of renewable energy in Massachusetts.
Downing, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, said the 2 percent increase wouldn’t last long, but it would allow the solar sector to move forward while the Legislature attempts to reform energy policy in the Bay State, including the question of solar subsidies and how that fits into the overall energy future.
But first the House/Senate conference committee has to come to a compromise on the various aspects of solar new metering.
For example, the House bill also proposed a “minimum bill” that would be charged to solar power generators to help defray the cost of maintaining the power grid, although a specific monthly dollar figure has yet to be determined.
Another ongoing debate concerns the grandfathering of existing solar installations: Should existing projects be reimbursed for power pumped into the grid at the retail net metering rate for the life of the project, or should that rate be gradually reduced to the wholesale level, which the utilities pay to other sources of energy, such as coal-fired power plants?
“The hope is that we can stay on the same trajectory of growth in solar power,” Downing said. “And I’d love to address net metering in the immediate future and move on to a broader debate on energy policy.”
At issue is the rate at which net metering is reimbursed, Downing said. The Senate proposal has reimbursement at 17 cents per kilowatt hour. The House version proposes lowering that rate to the wholesale rate of 5 cents per kilowatt hour.
Four Berkshire County members of the House are strong supporters of net metering.
“We cannot wait any longer,” said state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox. “Our inaction has shut down an entire industry in a state that is still in recovery. This is a sector of the economy that is critical to all of us.”
“We want to get to a place where the solar and green industries don’t go by the wayside,” said state Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru. “We should be encouraging solar growth and moving very quickly. This is a critically important topic for the county, the state, the nation and the world.”
“I think there probably shouldn’t even be a cap,” said state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams. “I think solar should be rolled out as quickly as the businesses and consumers want it rolled out. Massachusetts should move ahead with cleaning the environment and be at the top of the solar industry.”
Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said she hopes the conference committee comes up with a solution quickly.
“I especially want to be sure our small local solar companies are protected because it involves so many good local jobs,” Farley-Bouvier said. “We should certainly raise the cap in support of solar, but we also have to look at the entire portfolio of renewable energy sources.”
Downing said the three representatives and three senators in the Senate/House conference committee will be working during the coming weeks to come to an understanding. But he has no idea how long that could take, or what the final agreement will look like, if, indeed, an agreement is reached.
But if common ground cannot be found, he said, “we’ll have to have this debate all over again. But I am hopeful. And I would point out that there is significant cost to inaction.”
In 2015, 67 organizations spanning labor, business, environmental, community development groups and low-income housing organizations endorsed a vision for solar policy reform called the Next Generation Solar Policy Framework, which lays out a path to a self-sustaining solar industry that meets energy, environmental, and public health goals, continues success in creating jobs, and ensures all citizens have access to solar resources and healthier air.
The key elements of the framework are:
1. Suspend and then eliminate the caps on net metering, which undermine solar development without providing benefits to ratepayers.
2. Initiate an official, publicly scrutinized analysis of the benefits and costs of solar generation to ratepayers and society at large.
3. For certain categories of projects, align the value of net metering credits with the long-run value of solar generation to ratepayers, including any appropriate charges for use of the grid.
4. Reduce ratepayer costs by reforming the solar renewable energy credit (SREC) programs.
5. Grandfather existing solar projects under the policies in place when the projects qualified.
6. Set an ambitious long-term solar goal that contributes substantially to regional energy needs and environmental and public health requirements.
7. Expand current SREC II low-income provisions and create a new low-income and urban solar program to ensure that the benefits of solar are accessible to every resident of Massachusetts and provide employment and training in the clean energy sector.
The framework is endorsed by organizations such as the American Lung Association of the Northeast, Clean Water Action, Climate Action Business Association, Environment Massachusetts, HealthLink, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103, Jewish Climate Action Network, Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts, Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Worcester Green Low Income Housing Coalition.
Lee, Lenox weigh ban on plastic bags, polystyrene containers
The Lee Recycling Committee and Lenox Environmental Committee are working together to research, develop and gain community backing for bylaw changes to minimize or eliminate the use of the items.
The groups will share what they’ve learned so far during a informational and public input session scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 28 in the auditorium at Lee Middle and High School on Greylock Street in Lee.
The committees hope to develop proposed regulations — possibly to be voted on in May at their respective annual town meetings — depending on the amount of support for either measure.
The effort by Lee and Lenox to prohibit the foam containers and bags stems from research that they are harmful to the environment, according to the two committees.
Based upon national statistics, the communities use, combined, an estimated 6 million plastic shopping bags — 33 tons of plastic — 90 percent of which ends up in the solid waste stream, the towns have learned. In addition, more than 865,000 foam cups and an indeterminate number polystyrene food containers annually flow from the towns.
Lee Selectmen David Consolati, however, is not buying proponents’ claim the prohibition is, in part, for health reasons.
“I’m not going to die handling a plastic bag with my groceries,” he said at a recent Selectmen’s meeting.
Consolati also objected to the notion that the Tri-Town Board of Health could adopt either ban on Lee’s behalf over a Lee town meeting vote. Lenox and Stockbridge are the other Tri-Town members.
“You’ll usurp our authority and that of [town meeting] representatives,” he told Tri-Town Director James Wilusz. “I don’t expect the Board of Health to tell us what to do.”
Initially, Lee and Lenox have been working toward potential, separate town meeting votes and their collaboration doesn’t include Stockbridge.
But Wilusz said under state law, boards of health have the option to adopt plastic bag and polystyrene bans for their communities as a way to streamline the process. The board can revise the regulations more quickly than the time it takes to call another town meeting to act on bylaw revisions.
“This is not a power struggle by any means,” he told the board. “We don’t roll out anything that doesn’t fit the [Tri-Town board].”
Several municipalities across the state have enacted similar bans, but thus far, South Hadley is the only community to approve a ban as a board of health regulation, officials said.
The Lee-Lenox collaboration is being aided by the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is lending a staff member — free of charge — to provide guidance and technical assistance to the joint venture.
The ultimate goal for plastic bag/polystyrene supporters is eateries using environmentally friendly and recyclable food containers as well as driving consumers toward keeping handy reusable shopping bags.
A reachable goal with the help of merchants and raising the consciousness of students — at least in Lenox, according to Lenox Environmental Committee Chairman Eric Federer.
As of December, six communities — including Great Barrington and Williamstown — have banned both foam containers and plastic bags, In all, a total of 17 communities across the commonwealth prohibit the use of plastic bags. Pittsfield recently joined the group of 10 municipalities that now outlaw polystyrene. Its bylaw takes effect in July.
Northeast States Can Use Cap-and-Trade Program and Other Strategies to Reduce Emissions and Save Billions of Dollars
Blog Post by Synapse Energy Economics
January 20, 2016
Meeting the emission reduction goals of states within the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will yield billions of dollars in savings and tens of thousands of new jobs each year for over a decade, according to a Synapse study released today. A more stringent RGGI cap, complemented by individual state renewable resource and efficiency standards, will help states achieve their climate goals, which cluster around a 40 percent reduction from 1990 emissions levels by 2030.
The nine states—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont—have already lowered their total energy-related CO2 emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by participating in the RGGI cap-and-trade program, first implemented in 2008. The current RGGI cap on electric-sector emissions shrinks from 91 million short tons in 2014 down to 78 million short tons in 2020, and stays constant thereafter. By lowering the RGGI cap even further—to 19 million short tons in 2030—and adding a new emission reduction measure in the transportation sector, Synapse found that the states can save a combined $5.2 billion from 2016 to 2030 and create 50,000 new jobs each year in the region.
Deeper emission reductions will require efforts in multiple sectors. While there are many potentially successful policies to reduce emissions in all sectors, Synapse’s analysis focused on four well-researched, cost-effective emission reduction measures: energy efficiency, wind and solar generation in the electric sector, and conversion from gas-powered to electric light-duty vehicles in the transportation sector. Using a purpose-built, multi-sector model of emissions in the RGGI states and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model, Synapse analyzed the impacts of adding the following measures to the RGGI states’ existing goals:
- Converting one-third of all light-duty vehicles from gas to electric
- Achieving Massachusetts’ level of energy efficiency savings in all RGGI states
- Investing in onshore wind generation up to the economically achievable potential
- Limited investments in utility-scale solar installations
The relative share of each measure in achieving the increased emission reductions, which would total 40 percent reductions below 1990 levels, can be seen in the figure below. Synapse’s modeling suggests that these measures will yield net savings in terms of costs for each ton of emissions reduced.
Jobs
Program Operations Manager, Green Business Services
Center for EcoTechnology (CET)
Are you a successful manager of people and programs? Do you excel at leading a team to fulfill the changing needs of multiple clients in a fast-paced environment? Have you been working in the environmental field or are you looking for a more meaningful way to use your skills?
CET is seeking a key member of our management team to oversee our work for government, utility and other clients to help their business customers reduce costs and improve environmental performance. This hands-on position will be responsible for managing the work of administrative support and field staff, establishing effective systems for program delivery, providing account management services to high value customers, and monitoring and reporting on progress towards project goals and budgets.
- Manages a variety of program deliverables such as customer service, inside sales, events, websites and other programmatic services.
- Manages clients, identifying opportunities and developing partnerships to further the relationships.
- Develops employees through motivation, counseling, skills development and technical knowledge development.
- Acts as a resource in resolving customer issues brought to the department by using process knowledge and strong communication skills.
- Communicates program outcomes and status in a clear, effective and timely manner to necessary parties in the business unit and to clients.
- Produces material for newsletters, websites, and other outreach and education practices to fulfill program objectives.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Requirements:
We are looking for someone with a strong commitment to the non-profit community mission of CET. To qualify, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or related field or equivalent experience. You should have a minimum 3 years managing a team of people responsible for multifaceted programs or projects with numerous deliverable and deadlines. Experience in the field of commercial waste or recycling and familiarity with waste management programs desirable.
For nearly 40 years, the non-profit Center for EcoTechnology has helped people and businesses save energy and reduce waste. We provide practical solutions that save energy, materials and money and have a positive impact on our environment and community. CET is proud to be:
- Passionate: We are passionate about our environmental mission. We work hard and care about our customers, coworkers and community.
- Professional: We are experienced, objective and base our work on science. We work with integrity and are friendly and approachable to all.
- Practical: We offer innovative, practical and cost-effective solutions. We do as we say and get results.
For a chance to join our team, please submit your resume and cover letter to Human Resources at hr.gbs.pom16@cetonline.org. CET is an equal opportunity employer.
EcoFellow 2016-2017
Center for EcoTechnology (CET)
The Center for EcoTechnology helps people and businesses in Massachusetts save energy and reduce waste. We make green make sense. For 40 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 five qualified college graduate candidates for a 10-month paid fellowship position to work with our staff to carry out a range of 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 CET’s Northampton office, with travel expected between CET locations and into local communities.
EcoFellowship Qualifications:
- We are looking for creative and energetic college graduates (bachelor degree required) with an interest in 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 8, 2016 to June 30, 2017, 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 graphic design preferred.
- Driver’s license and reliable, insured transportation is required.
- Ability to lift and move 50# will be required as necessary for certain placements.
- Background checks and drug testing will be required for all positions.
- CET is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all to apply.
EcoFellowship Salary and Benefits:
- Salary: Pays $10/hr for 40 hrs/week, with an additional $2,000 bonus at the completion of the program. Hourly rate increases to $11/hr Jan 1, 2017.
- Benefits: Health Insurance; paid sick, holiday and vacation; supplies and mileage reimbursement
- Professional Development: Week-long training; monthly professional trainings throughout experience
Hiring Process:
Application Process: Rolling applications are accepted until March 13
Interview Process:
- Initial interviews are ongoing until March 18, either in-person or by phone
- 2nd interviews will be scheduled for late March/early April, in-person required
Hiring Process: Position placements will be offered by mid-April
EcoFellowship Placement: August 8, 2016 to June 30, 2017
Send Resume and Cover Letter to:hr.out.ef16@cetonline.org
Greenagers: Teacher for After-School Program
Greenagers is now hiring for a part-time (approx. 15hrs/wk beginning in late Feb.) teaching position for the after-school program, “Crafting the Landscape”. This program focuses on teaching environmental literacy and stewardship to middle school students through hands-on projects and excursions as well as with the video game MineCraft.edu
The program runs Monday through Thursday afternoons from 3:00 -5:00 pm in Great Barrington and Sheffield during the school year. Summer programs run 4 days/wk, 6hrs/day for 5 weeks.
Requirements: A four-year degree in environmental or related studies and/or relevant field and teaching experience required. Experience with or willingness to learn MineCraft also required. Candidates must be able to work well in a team teaching environment with a broad range of academic and emotional abilities. Applicant must have reliable transportation, clean driving record and submit to a CORI background test.
This program is a collaboration between Greenagers and the Berkshire Coop Market.
How to apply: Cover letter and resume may be sent to Will Conklin: director@greenagers.org.
ResponsibilitiesPrimary
- Negotiate with private landowners, public agencies, businesses, and other organizations concerning land acquisitions, transfers and sales.
- Provide technical assistance to private landowners and conservation partners regarding conservation options and techniques.
- Assist with development of baseline information, monitoring and record keeping relative to Conservation Restrictions (CR’s) held by Mass Audubon.
- Provide advice and assistance to Mass Audubon staff, Board, volunteers and sanctuary committees on land protection issues.
- Evaluate land protection proposals to ensure consistency with Mass Audubon policies and objectives.
- Assist with duties relative to system for tracking existing Mass Audubon land holdings and conservation restrictions.
- Promote the financial and legal advantages of land conservation with donors and sellers, promote gifts and bargain sales of land.
- Ensure the timely and accurate completion of tasks required to acquire and dispose of land or interests in land, including the preparation of administrative, financial and legal documents.
- Prepare written reports, proposals and plans as required.
- Attend department meetings and serve on committees as requested by Director.
- Provide training for Mass Audubon staff on land protection issues.
Fundraising
- Seek out and promote gifts and grants to support Mass Audubon land protection efforts.
Budget Development and Management
- Assist in the preparation and implementation of an operating budget for land protection, and make recommendations on capital budget allocations for land.
Community Relations
- Respond to public and media inquiries on land issues. Assist in the preparation of public relations material.
Property
- Help assess the maintenance and security aspects of proposed land and building acquisitions and present recommendations to Director. Conduct initial Environmental Site Assessments on properties.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in natural resource management, land use planning, business, biological sciences or related field.
- Three years experience in land conservation/planning, real estate, or business in a related natural resource field.
- Excellent writing and speaking skills.
- Solid skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook).
- Valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel frequently in western/central MA and throughout the state,
- Ability to traverse a variety of terrain (hilly, wooded, rocky, marshy) on foot.
- Must pass a background records check (CORI, SORI and driver’s).