The BEAT News January 9, 2013

News Headlines

Berkshire Region Comprehensive Economic Development (CEDS) Strategy: 2012 Annual Performance Report

excerpt from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s Common Ground newsletter

The BRPC Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee finalized its 2012 Annual Performance Report, which discusses the economic progress made in the County over the past year.

Two regional trends are worth noting here: First, the rate of inflation (29%) exceeded the rise in median house-hold incomes (25%) between 1999 and 2009 in the region. Second, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.9% from 2010 (8.2%) to 2011 (7.3%); however, the 2011 level (7.3%) is still well above the unemployment levels of 2007 (4.4%) prior to the Great Recession. The region continued to lose jobs in the manufacturing, construction and real estate sectors and gained jobs in the retail, wholesale and arts, entertainment and recreation sectors.

If you would like additional details please go to www.berkshireplanning.org to view the 2012 Annual Report.. For questions or more information, please contact Brian Domina at bdomina@berkshireplanning.org or X 14.

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Happy 2013 and Happy Year of the Snake!

Using the Year of the Snake in the Chinese calendar as an opportunity, the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) aim to raise awareness about the global status of snakes and the threats and human perceptions that contribute to their decline, and ways you can help conserve them. Please check out the PARC Year of the Snake website at www.yearofthesnake.org!

As the Year of the Snake unfolds, it is the goal of PARC to help the public understand the importance of these species, their importance to our ecosystems, the value of snakes to humans, and the beauty and mystique of these animals and the places they inhabit.

At our website, you can view or download the State of the Snake document, the January newsletter and the January downloadable snake calendar! We’ll continue to have newsletters and downloadable monthly calendars each month in 2013, so be sure to check back.

PARC is looking for partners for our Year of the Snake effort, so if you or your organization are implementing snake conservation efforts or just plain love snakes and want to help spread the word, we want to hear about it at parcyearofthesnake@gmail.com! Check out our Partners Page at http://www.parcplace.org/news-a-events/2013-year-of-the-snake/271.html – we’re looking to add more!

Like PARC on Facebook! Follow them on Twitter! Participate in the ongoing monthly photo contest for a chance at having your photo selected for the month-by-month downloadable calendar, or just share your photos  at parcyearofthesnake@gmail.com – you might see your photo in one of our many conservation products!

Thanks, and be sure to ssssspread the word!

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Masswildlife to Shift Eagle Survey Efforts to Early Spring

 

After over 30 years of conducting a midwinter eagle survey in January, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) will be shifting its effort to a survey of breeding eagles in the early spring.  The Breeding Eagle Count will be similar to the Midwinter Eagle Survey. A certain survey period will be chosen, allowing people to report eagle sightings and a specific count date for a more concerted effort will be chosen sometime in late March  before the leaves  begin to grow on trees. There will also be a survey period for people to report eagle sightings similar to the survey period for the midwinter count. When the details have been finalized, an announcement will be issued through the MassWildlife eNewsletter and posted on the agency website.

Massachusetts began participating in the national midwinter count in 1979 when only eight Bald Eagles were reported in Massachusetts. At that time the Bald Eagle was doing very poorly across the country and was listed as Endangered on the original federal and state lists of Endangered and Threatened species. Now the Bald Eagle has been completely removed from the federal list and in Massachusetts has just recently been downlisted from Endangered to Threatened thereby reducing the need for a midwinter survey.  The state survey effort continued through 2011 when a record number of 107 birds were reported. Volunteer cooperators and other citizens braved tough weather conditions during the January surveys, and their reports of eagle sightings during the “eagle count” have been valuable data for the agency.

“This is a good time to shift our focus to our growing population of resident, nesting birds,” said Tom French, Assistant Director of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. “For several years, we have been aware of resident eagles in areas where no nest has ever been found. By shifting annual surveys from midwinter to early spring, we hope to have cooperators and MassWildlife staff locate active nests for all known pairs and visit other bodies of water across the state to look for additional breeding eagles.”  French also noted the need to determine the identity of breeding adults and encourages birders and photographers to make an effort to read and report the unique leg band information on as many eagles as possible. “We can learn a lot about the history of each bird with this important information.”

“We also want to take this opportunity to thank our long time partner, originally Massachusetts Electric, now National Grid,” said French. “This company has been incredibly generous by providing the survey helicopter to cover the Quabbin and Connecticut River since the beginning of the eagle restoration effort. This generosity has been greatly appreciated and essential to the success of our midwinter surveys for many years. National Grid employees have been wonderful to work with and very enthusiastic about participating in this effort.”

Make a wild investment in Massachusetts by buying a license or making a donation to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund or Wildlands Fund!

Sign up for MassWildlife News, a monthly e-newsletter that provides and update wildlife related events, recreation, laws and seasonal safety tips.  send an e-mail to the following address: Join-MassWildlife.news@listserv.state.ma.us

 

Visit the Great Outdoors Blog at:  http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/
www.mass.gov/masswildlife

 

MassWildlife serves your community from the following Offices:
Western District, Dalton 413/684-1646
Connecticut Valley District, Belchertown 413/323-7632
Central District, W. Boylston 508/835-3607
Northeast District, Ayer 978/772-2145
Southeast District, Buzzards Bay 508/759-3406

West Boylston Field Headquarters, 100 Hartwell St, Suite 230 508/389-6300 (NOTE NEW HQ LOCATION!)

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Pilot Site for Water Regulations

By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
susan.spencer@telegram.com

Shrewsbury is a test case for a new set of water regulations that may go into effect statewide as early as 2014 with an aim to balance consumption, economic development and environmental health.

The Sustainable Water Management Initiative, a product of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, is intended to tie how much water a community draws from a river basin to the health of the waterway. Water suppliers that draw too much will have to impose use restrictions or find other ways to mitigate their impact.

Edmund J. Coletta, spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, one of many state agencies supporting the initiative, said Shrewsbury was selected for several reasons: It offers geographic diversity in Central Massachusetts; it draws water from the highly degraded, impaired Blackstone River basin; all its water is pumped from wells, as opposed to reservoirs; it discharges wastewater through a regional agreement with Westboro into a different basin, the Concord River basin; and the town water department has a permit renewal pending with MassDEP so regulators can test a real application.

This characteristic of Shrewsbury water use – withdrawing from one river system and discharging into another, makes the town an interesting test case, particularly if it is found to be drawing more water than permitted, either through consumption or unaccounted loss.

The state issued the framework in draft form last month with four pilot communities testing the plan before it is finalized next year. Along with Shrewsbury, the other pilot sites are Amherst, Danvers-Middleton and Dedham-Westwood. After results from the pilots and public comments are looked at, final regulations are expected to go into effect in 2014.
<MORE>

Note from Julia Blatt, Mass Rivers Alliance (BEAT is a member)
Shrewsbury faces multiple challenges; the town has a high unaccounted-for-water rate, all its donor basins are severely flow-depleted (Poor Farm Brook sometimes runs dry due to Shrewsbury’s water use), they face a problem on the other end with inadequate sewage treatment capacity, and despite the Water Needs Forecast saying the town will need much more water, it’s unlikely the town will need this much more water within the next 20 years.

If the Sustainable Water Management Initiative works, it should result in towns’ adjusting the timing and volume of their water withdrawals to “live within their water means,” or purchasing water from other places where additional withdrawals will not harm streams or threaten the safety of their own continued water supplies.

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Draft Risk Assessments for a Few Chemicals

EPA today released for public comment draft risk assessments, for particular uses, on five chemicals found in common household products. The draft risk assessments were developed as part of the agency’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan, which identified common chemicals for review over the coming years to assess any impacts on people’s health and the environment. Following public comment, the agency will seek an independent, scientific peer review of the assessments before beginning to finalize them in the fall of 2013.

The five assessments address the following chemical uses: methylene chloride or dichloromethane (DCM) and      n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in paint stripper products; trichloroethylene (TCE) as a degreaser and a spray-on protective coating; antimony trioxide (ATO) as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants; and 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta-[γ]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) as a fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products. The draft assessments focus either on human health or ecological hazards for specific uses which are subject to regulation under TSCA. Three of the draft risk assessments— DCM, NMP, and TCE— indicate a potential concern for human health under specific exposure scenarios for particular uses. The preliminary assessments for ATO and HHCB indicate a low concern for ecological health.

EPA recommends the public follow product label directions and take precautions that can reduce exposures, such as using the product outside or in an extremely well ventilated area and wearing protective equipment to reduce exposure. If EPA concludes in finalizing the risk assessments that there is a potential for concern, the agency will take action as appropriate to address possible risks.

The draft assessments were undertaken as part of EPA’s efforts to identify chemicals for review under the TSCA Work Plan, which EPA released in March 2012. At that time, EPA identified 83 chemicals as candidates for review over the coming years and outlined the data sources and other information the agency would use in the reviews. This initiative is part of EPA’s comprehensive approach to enhance the current chemicals management program within the limits of existing TSCA authorities. EPA continues to support updating TSCA to strengthen and modernize the law.

Additional information on the TSCA Work Plan effort and the specific draft risk assessments can be found at:  http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html

—
Jane’s note – I am particularly concerned about fragrances used in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. If I walk by a house using their dryer that is emitting certain fragrances, I develop severe vertigo. If I develop that severe a reaction outdoors, what effect might it have on an infant in a crib?


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From Water Headlines, January 8, 2013

Federal Agencies to Improve Coordination of Information on Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of the Interior have agreed to  improve coordination and collaboration on issues related to pharmaceuticals in drinking water through a new memorandum of understanding. Under this agreement, federal agencies will share scientific data and information and coordinate potential future research on the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, their sources and potential health effects.The agencies formulated the agreement in response to a recommendation by the Government Accountability Office in 2011.

 

Human Health Benchmarks for Pesticides Now Available on Global Website

The human health benchmarks for pesticides, developed by EPA, were published in December 2012 to the Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances. The portal makes available to the public information on properties of chemicals such as: physical chemical characteristics, environmental fate, human toxicity, and ecotoxicity. Sponsored by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the site provides links to information developed by national, regional, and international government chemical review programs, making information on over 350 registered pesticides available globally.
In April 2012, EPA posted the human health benchmarks for pesticides, developed using the same methods used to calculate health advisories for drinking water and data that were peer-reviewed in EPA’s pesticide registration process. The benchmarks can enable states, water systems and the public to better determine whether the detection of a pesticide in drinking water or source waters for drinking water may indicate a potential health risk.

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Berkshire Museum presents Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger

February 2 to June 2, 2013

 

Berkshire Museum presents the new exhibition, Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger, from February 2 through June 2, 2013. Encompassing a varied selection of images by Andreas Feininger (1906-1999), the exhibition explores the artist’s distinctive approach to the intricacies of the natural world. The photographs of shells, bones, insects, and other organic objects are paired in the gallery with shells from the Museum’s expansive natural science collection.

Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger is exhibited concurrently with Ansel Adams: Masterworks, from the Collection of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, CA, on view February 9 through June 2, 2013. A joint opening reception will be held Saturday, February 9, from 5-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“Photographer Andreas Feininger captures the intricate details of nature and explodes them into skyscraper proportions, creating a magical world of unreality,” says Maria Mingalone, Berkshire Museum’s director of interpretation. “Although most well-known for his sweeping vistas of New York, in the pictures chosen for this exhibition we see that Feininger combined his passion for nature with his love of precision, space, and structure in images he created of the most delicate spine of a sea shell.”

Renowned for his iconic cityscapes of New York, Stockholm, and Chicago, Andreas Feininger, the son of noted artist Lyonel Feininger, was born in 1906 in Paris, France. He studied cabinetmaking and architecture at the Bauhaus, the innovative design school in Germany, graduating in 1925. During his time at school, he began taking and processing photographs, and after moving to Sweden in 1933, he specialized in industrial and architectural photography. Feininger immigrated to the United States in 1939 and in 1943 became a staff photographer for Life magazine, a position he held for twenty years. A pioneer in experimental photography techniques, his images reveal a unique approach to scale and structure, applied to panoramic cityscapes and his lesser-known detailed portraits of natural objects. Feininger wrote more than 30 books, including The Complete Photographer and Forms of Nature and Life.

Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger features some of the artist’s most striking black and white portraits of objects from nature. In 2011, Berkshire Museum acquired 129 photographs by Andreas Feininger from the estate of Feininger’s late wife, Wysse Feininger. At that time, several museums across the country, including the George Eastman House in Rochester, N.Y., were invited to make selections for their collections. Berkshire Museum was invited because of the unique nature of its art and natural science collections, and for its curatorial approach of combining art and nature in exhibitions that make creative connections among these disciplines. Nearly 50 selected images will be on view this winter for the first time in Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger. They include a predominant proportion of images devoted to sea shells, but also include images of bones, spiders and spider webs, teeth, and tendrils of plant life, among the finely observed natural elements.

 

Exhibition Opening Reception

Saturday, February 9, 5-7 p.m.

Nature Magnified: Photographs by Andreas Feininger

February 2 – June 2, 2013

Ansel Adams: Masterworks

From the Collection of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, CA

February 9 – June 2, 2013

This exhibition of forty-eight photographs by Ansel Adams (1902-1984), selected by Adams himself to represent the best of his life’s work, includes iconic landscapes and architectural studies.

 

Berkshire Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org or call 413.443.7171. Museum admission is $13 for adults and $6 for children. Members and children aged three and under enjoy free admission.

 

The Museum is located at 39 South Street on Route 7 in downtown Pittsfield. Berkshire Museum was established by Zenas Crane in 1903 as a museum of art and natural history. Little Cinema is open year-round; Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, Aquarium, and other exhibits are ongoing.

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3 Updates from the Northern Forest Center

3-State Investment Will Enhance Working Landscape

from the Northern Forest Center

A multi-state collaboration secured one of 13 federal rural investment grants awarded in August, bringing significant federal funding to strengthen the region’s working landscape. The Northern Tier Farm and Forest Jobs Accelerator is a 3-year project focused on adding value to agricultural and forest products. Specifically, The Center will deepen investment in wood product companies and in local wood pellet energy projects.

“This project combines the very best of public and private partnership,” said Molly Lambert, state director for USDA Rural Development in VT/NH.  “Through its implementation we have an opportunity to increase jobs, expand products and markets, mitigate heating costs and properly utilize the capacity of our forests. USDA is proud to be a key supporter of this initiative.”

Funding for the Northern Tier project will be provided by USDA Rural Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

The project will draw on the expertise of several non-profits, including the Northern Community Investment Corporation, Northern Forest Center, White Mountains Community College and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. The nonprofits will match the $708,750 federal grant with at least that much in private funding.

 

How-To Guide Published On Selling Forest Carbon

from the Northern Forest Center

Selling Forest Carbon: A Practical Guide to developing forest carbon offsets for Northeast forest owners

Trees capture carbon from the atmosphere, and selling “carbon offsets” to individuals and businesses may be a new income opportunity for some forestland owners. Most people are not yet familiar with this emerging market. The Northern Forest Center and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences have published a practical “how-to” guide for Northeastern landowners to introduce voluntary carbon markets, project types, and the costs, challenges and potential benefits of selling carbon.

The guide also covers requirements for four carbon programs and the possibility of aggregating carbon from multiple small ownerships. Information in the guide can help landowners assess whether they can pursue carbon markets to derive more revenue from their forest management. Fundamentally, The Center sees carbon sales as a potential tool to help landowners keep their forests as forests.

 

Canaan, VT, Establishes Community Forest

from the Northern Forest Center

Congratulations to the Town of Canaan, VT, which has created a Community Forest on land donated by the Neil Tillotson Trust. The 424 acres of forestland will be used for a variety of economic, educational, recreational and conservation purposes to benefit the community as well as students who attend the district’s schools from other towns.

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Berkshire Grown Holiday Farmers’ Markets Generate More Than $133K Revenue For the Local Economy

Vendors report a $33K revenue increase at the 2012 November and December markets

 

GREAT BARRINGTON and WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (January 8, 2013) – Berkshire Grown’s 2012 Holiday Farmers’ Markets were the most successful markets yet in the organization’s four-year-history of providing the opportunity for local farmers and food producers to market during an extended season in New England. Berkshire Grown facilitated an economic impact of more than $133,000 for participating market vendors — a $33,000, 33 percent increase from revenues reported by vendors in 2011.

 

The four markets were held on two weekends in November and December in Great Barrington at the Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School and in Williamstown at the Williams College Towne Field House. Berkshire Grown brought together nearly 70 regional vendors in November and 85 vendors in December. Each market ran for four hours. More than 2,800 people visited the two pre-Thanksgiving markets, generating over $65,000 in vendor income. The pre-Christmas December markets were attended by more than 2,500 people, and generated over $68,000 in vendor income.

 

“We’re thrilled by the success of the Holiday Farmers’ Markets,” said Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. “The farmers’ markets generated more than $133,000 for local vendors, providing the most delicious way to strengthen the local economy. Berkshire Grown’s farmers’ markets provide a great opportunity for farmers and local food producers to sell directly to community members at a fun event.”

 

A major sponsor of the markets was the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources which provided financial support to promote buying directly from Massachusetts farmers as part of the state’s “Massachusetts grown…and fresher!” campaign. Their website http://mass.gov/agr/massgrown/ provides links to local farmers throughout the state.

 

Williams College was also a major sponsor of the markets. As part of Williams College’s ongoing commitment to sustainable food and local agriculture, the College donated the Williamstown venue as well as provided funding toward the event. The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program and The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives support the markets as a community partnership to further incorporate the principles of sustainability into the fabric of campus life. For more information visit http://sustainability.williams.edu.

 

In addition to generous support from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Williams College, a major sponsor of the event was The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. Additional sponsors included Berkshire Co-op Market, Berkshire Organics, Kimball Farms, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Mezze Bistro + Bar and Allium Restaurant + Bar, Sweet Brook Farm and The Red Lion Inn.

 

2013 Holiday Farmers’ Markets

Due to the popularity and success of the Holiday Farmers’ Markets, Berkshire Grown plans to produce similar markets in late fall of 2013. The events will take place in Great Barrington and Williamstown with markets scheduled on weekends before Thanksgiving and before Christmas. More details will be announced in the coming months. 

 

Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers’ Markets connect farmers and food producers directly with members of the community, strengthening the Berkshire Grown farm-to-table network. The Holiday Farmers’ Markets create new opportunities for farmers and food producers to increase sales of locally produced and preserved agricultural products, helping to boost the local economy.

 

Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy and landscape. The non-profit organization’s mission is to “Keep farmers farming!” It is the “go-to” network linking farmers and the Berkshire community. Through events, workshops, promotions, advocacy and education highlighting locally grown and produced food, Berkshire Grown helps to create a thriving local food economy. For more information or to become a member, see berkshiregrown.org or call (413) 528-0041.

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New Economics Institute Merging with New Economy Network

 

Last June, nearly 500 people from across the country came together at our Strategies for a New Economy Conference to discuss the next steps for building a just and sustainable economy. It was an historic event. Never before had so many different individuals and organizations united under the common banner of the New Economy movement.

We joined together last June to share our vision and demonstrate our potential for collective power. It was just one weekend, but clearly a sign of things to come.

Today, we are thrilled to announce a development that will move that vision forward. In the spirit of innovation and democratic collaboration, the New Economics Institute is merging with the New Economy Network. As organizations with similar goals, strategies, and stakeholders, we have realized that we can be much stronger if we work together. By combining our efforts, we will not only strengthen existing initiatives, but also create a foundation to build power across sectors for greater political and economic impact.

Together, we will form the New Economy Coalition, an organization committed to building a nation-wide, grassroots movement for a just and sustainable economy. We firmly believe this is the next step for building a New Economy movement—and we invite you to join us.

The New Economy Coalition will hold the same values as the New Economics Institute. Our mission will be focused on building the power necessary to bring the New Economy into being. The ideals that brought us all together last June will be the force that drives us forward. Once the transition is complete, we will invite the involvement of stakeholders from both groups to help shape the direction of this new organization.

The New Economy Coalition will remain committed to promoting a New Economy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. In addition, we will be spinning off a new organization in Great Barrington under the leadership of Susan Witt—in order for the local work in the Berkshires to continue to flourish. Stay tuned for more details about that transition in the weeks ahead!

In the meantime, our work continues. Soon we will be awarding eight grants to student groups on colleges and universities across North America as part of our Campus Network Program. These students are already busy building new economic possibilities on their campuses and in their communities, and we are thrilled to be working with them. Their efforts will culminate in a New Economy Coalition national convergence this summer, drawing together students, solidarity economy groups and New Economy leaders.

Thank you for all you have done to build the New Economics Institute and the New Economy Network, and to advance the vision for an economic system that puts people and the planet before profit. If you have any questions at all about these changes, or you would like to be more directly involved in shaping the Coalition, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We are excited about this new direction and look forward to working with you as a Coalition member.

With great hope for 2013,

Bob Massie
President, New Economics Institute

1 Broadway

Cambridge, MA 02124

http://neweconomicsinstitute.org

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Wetlands Assessment and Field Techniques Offered at UMass Amherst

The UMass Department of Environmental Conservation in cooperation with UMass Extension is offering “Wetlands Assessment and Field Techniques,” a 3-credit course during spring semester at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The University is offering conservation commissioners and administrators, environmental consultants, agency personnel and other natural resource professionals two options for participating in this course: 1) for three graduate credits through the Department of Environmental Conservation or 2) as a non-credit option through UMass Extension. The course instructor is Scott Jackson, Extension Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation. Class meets at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and begins January 24, 2013.

This course offers in-depth information about Massachusetts wetland regulations, wetland classification, wetland soils and boundary delineation, wetland condition assessment, functional assessment, vernal pool certification, wildlife habitat evaluation, and techniques for evaluating and mitigating development impacts on wildlife habitat. Class will meet 14 times over a 15 week period during the spring semester. Nine indoor sessions will meet from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday evenings. Five field sessions scheduled later in the semester will meet once a week on Tuesday afternoons (12:30 to 4:00 p.m.). In order to cut down on the need to travel to Amherst an option to participate via live webinar will be available for the nine lecture sessions.

The cost for this course is $500 for the non-credit option (a special webinar-only option is available for $300). For graduate credit the cost is $2,021 for MA residents and $3,910 for non-residents. Space is limited. For registration or more information, contact: Scott Jackson at (413) 545-4743 or sjackson@umext.umass.edu.


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Bard Center for Environmental PolicyCONTINUING EDUCATION JANUARY COURSE

Private Land Conservation: A Primer and The Role of Agriculture

An Intensive Short Course offered at Bard College

 

Section One: Land Trust Primer

January 22 – 25, 2013

Section one will provide an intensive look at Land Trusts: history, structure, legal mandates, funding, strategies, purchase and easement agreements, monitoring and enforcement, and community engagement. Students will emerge with a thorough understanding of the role of land trusts in land conservation.

Guest Speakers

  • Jane Calvin, Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust
  • Seth McKee, Scenic Hudson Land Trust
  • Katrina Shindledecker CEP M.S. ‘06, Hudson Highlands Land Trust
  • Bob Knighton, Greene Land Trust

 

Section Two: The Role of Agriculture

January 28 – 31, 2013

With local food and farming becoming of greater importance in the realm of sustainability, week two looks at how land trusts are assisting in farmland conservation. The course will cover key factors related to farmland protection including affordable access to land, market-based approaches, policy issues, and rural and urban farmland program development. Through real-life examples and guest speakers from relevant sectors, participants will better understand the nuanced approaches to Northeast and New York State farmland conservation. Direct experience with conservation easements or completion of the first week is required for Week Two.

Guest Speakers

  • David Haight, American Farmland Trust
  • Michael Hurwitz, GrowNYC
  • Teri Ptacek, Agricultural Stewardship Association
  • Rich Hubbard, Franklin Land Trust
  • Jerry Cosgrove, New World Foundation
  • Jim Oldham, Equity Trust
  • Jennifer Phillips, Bard CEP Faculty / Gansvoort Farm
  • Lindsey and Ben Shute, Hearty Roots / National Young Farmers Association

Lead Instructor

Judy Anderson of Community Consultants has worked in the land trust sector for over 20 years. Judy currently assists nonprofit organizations on practical strategic conservation initiatives incorporating local communities, climate change, governance, communications and community-based outreach and fundraising strategies.

Contact us for more information or to register

WEB www.bard.edu/cep TEL 845-758-7085 E-MAIL jofrench@bard.edu


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NOAA Grant Opportunity

This is a reminder that NOAA currently has a solicitation notice out for grant funding for fishery restoration projects.  Please note that this solicitation notice covers not only Fiscal Year 13 (FY13) but also FY14 and FY15.  Thus, please intuitively consider restoration projects that may require funds not only for this coming year, but over the next two to three years. While great uncertainty remains with the federal budget for FY13 and beyond, you should be aware that there may not be a NOAA solicitation in FY14.  It is thus very important to consider submitting a grant application for this FFO if you are seeking funds for assessment, design and/or implementation phases of one or more project(s) for this or outlying years.  The grant application proposal can include multiple projects, with the minimum request amount of $100K and maximum amount of $10M.  Persons or organizations can submit one or more applications.

Applications must be submitted online to www.grants.gov and are due February 19th.  I recommend that you do not wait until near the deadline to submit a proposal; it takes time to submit the materials for a complete, competitive proposal.

Focus is on federally-listed species or managed species such as those managed under ASMFC plans (e.g., American shad, river herring), and designated Essential Fish Habitat (EFH).  Proposals must 1) identify a habitat-based issue/concern limiting the recovery or sustainability of one or more target species (e.g. listed or managed fish, marine mammal, sea turtle species); 2) identify the project outcome goal(s) and describe in detail the actions and on-the-ground habitat restoration project(s) to be undertaken to resolve the issue/concern and; 3) describe the measurable impact on the target species, including evaluation techniques.  In particular, consider a watershed approach for restoration which links proposed sites by the habitat issue(s) or concern(s) or the listed and/or managed species targeted for restoration, and projects of regional significance.

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Northampton Community Preservation Committee Seeks Project Applications for 1st Funding Round in 2013

After funding ten diverse projects in 2012, the Northampton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) will begin reviewing 2013 applications in January.  The Community Preservation Act (CPA), approved by Northampton voters in 2005 and again affirmed in 2011, provides a source of revenue for local projects through a surcharge on property taxes, as well as a state match provided through fees for recording at the Registry of Deeds.      Due to the complexity of the CPA enabling legislation, prospective applicants are asked to complete a short ‘project eligibility’ form to confirm funding eligibility.  These forms are due on January 11.  Once eligibility forms are approved, full applications must be received by February 5.  The Committee will then work with applicants to review proposals and make funding recommendations, with awards to follow in June.

Local CPA funds may be provided to projects in Northampton in the areas of open space preservation, affordable housing, recreation, and historic preservation.   Since its inception, Northampton’s CPA has funded fifty-eight diverse projects around the City, totaling $9,700,000.  These CPA awards have helped secure more than $20 million in additional funds from a variety of other sources.      Individual project budgets are flexible, and have ranged from less than $3,000 to $1,200,000.

Interested applicants, as well as those seeking to learn more about the projects funded through the CPA, are invited to visit the Committee’s website, where eligibility and application forms, information about the CPA, and the City’s Community Preservation Plan can also be found.  Prospective applicants are also encouraged to discuss their projects and the application process with staff.

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.northamptonma.gov/cpc

Sarah LaValley, Conservation, Preservation & Land Use Planner
slavalley@northamptonma.gov, 413-587-1263

Downey Meyer, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
downeymeyer@gmail.com

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The Trustees of Reservations Seeks Proposals for Farmland

The Trustees, a statewide non-profit land trust, is seeking farmer proposals for up to 8 acres of land in Ashfield, MA.  The land is non-contiguous, a mix of rolling and flat, accessible by public roads, probably most suitable for animals.  There is a large barn available for storage, washing station, CSA pickup, etc.  and there is irrigation available.  There is no on-site farmer housing.  The Trustees are seeking a farmer with a business plan who wants to run their own operation in partnership with The Trustees.  There is no fee for the land.  Send proposals or questions to Ellie at elobovits@ttor.org

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FHWA Ecologist Job Opening

 

FHWA’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review has announced an Ecologist (GS-0408-13/14) vacancy on the Project Mitigation Team.

 

This position serves as an advisor to other professionals in the Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty and to other offices in Headquarters and the field involved in the implementation of FHWA highway programs to ensure that adequate consideration is given to wetlands, water quality, threatened and endangered species, natural habitats, vegetation management and other ecological resources in the planning, location, design, construction, and operation of highway systems. This position requires professional expertise and knowledge of natural resources, the highway program, and the science of ecology to carry out the functions of the Office with respect to the ecological impacts of highways.

The vacancy opens today Tuesday, January 8th, and the closes Thursday, January 17, 2013.

 

Job Title: Ecologist (GS-0408-13/14)

Department: Department Of Transportation

Agency: Federal Highway Administration

Job Announcement Number: FHWA.HEP-2013-0004 and FHWA.HEP-2013-0005

 

Links to vacancy:

 

Open to all US Citizen candidates (FHWA.HEP-2013-0004): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/335094800

 

Open to only status candidates (individuals who are current or former Federal civilian employees who hold or held non-temporary appointments in the competitive service) [FHWA.HEP-2013-0004]:  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/335096300

 

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