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 England.
Urge the Legislature to Override these Vetoes Issued by the Governor
Please ask your legislators asap to restore $1.5M to the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget and $5.5M to the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s budget. These budget cuts will seriously threaten the ability of our state agency’s to protect our land and water. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
Take Action on Final MA Energy Bill!
There is still time to urge the Legislature to ensure the final bill keeps Massachusetts on track to transform its energy profile and to meet its climate goals. Please take a moment to: EMAIL House and Senate members of the Energy Conference Committee and urge them to pass a bill that includes a 2% per year increase in the RPS, prohibits a pipeline tax, addresses gas leaks, and establishes a first-in-the-nation home energy rating program. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
There’s still time to get more nature in your summer with Flying Deer Nature Center!
Flying Deer Nature Center has several openings in several of its camps for different ages. Act fast before they all fill up! [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
EPA Finalizes Clean Air Act Finding that Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Certain Classes of Aircraft Endanger Human Health and Welfare
The Environmental Protection Agency declared that jet engine exhaust endangers public health by contributing to climate change, a key milestone as it works to develop regulations that will cut carbon emissions from commercial aircraft. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
PLAN and Berkshire Environmental Action Team Join Forces To Appeal MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certificate Issued for TGP Connecticut Expansion Project
Members of the Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast (PLAN) and landowners in Sandisfield have teamed up with the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) to appeal a 401 water quality certificate, issued at the end of June by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline Connecticut Expansion Project. The appeal was filed with DEP on Wednesday, with the assistance of the Boston law firm of McGregor & Legere, P.C. Press release issued by PLAN on July 20, 2016. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
Jobs
Experienced Solar Technician – Berkshire Photovoltaic Services – Adams, MA
Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY
Greenagers Middle School and High School Program – Various locations in Berkshire County
Greenagers Summer Jobs – Trail Crews & Agricultural Apprentices – Various locations in Berkshire and Columbia Counties
Outdoor Educator – Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Cropseyville, NY
Weekend Visitors Services Staff – Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox, MA
Urge the Legislature to Override these Vetoes Issued by the Governor
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Administration (Line-Item 2200-0100)
The Governor’s veto would slash DEP by $1.5 MILLION. This would cut DEP’s funding by 22% compared to pre-recession FY09 levels. While the budget has been cut, the agency’s responsibilities have been growing and taking on heightened importance. Through the early retirement incentive program of 2015, DEP lost 109 long- time, experienced staff. Over the past few months, DEP was able to backfill 34 positions with new employees, many of whom are located at regional offices. If the Legislature fails to override the veto, DEP will be forced to cut 20 of these positions, leaving it with a historically low staffing level. When DEP’s budget is cut, that means fewer staff to work on clean water, wetlands, drinking water, climate change, clean air, solid waste, and hazardous waste. The funding is critical for safeguarding public health and our natural resources.
SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION! VETO THE OVERRIDE!
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) State Parks and Recreation (Line-Item 2810-0100)
The Governor vetoed almost $5.5 MILLION of funding for DCR. In recent years, the Legislature has started to help DCR’s budget recover from years of disproportionate cuts. The Governor’s veto would undo much of this funding restoration.
DCR is responsible for the stewardship, management and safety of our parks, parkways, beaches, forests, pools, skating rinks and campgrounds from the Berkshires to Worcester to the Cape and Islands. Overall, 450,000 acres of land come under DCR’s purview and contribute to our tourism and outdoor recreation economies. Adequate funding is crucial to ensuring that residents in your district have access to close-to-home, high quality recreational opportunities.
DCR has lost nearly 400 full-time positions (30% of its workforce) in the last seven years. These cuts have led to property closures, unstaffed campgrounds, shorter seasons for our pools and rinks, and fewer programs for children. The agency is not in a position to withstand additional cuts.
SUPPORT STRONG STATE PARKS! VETO THE OVERRIDE!
For questions, contact: Erica Mattison, Legislative Director, emattison@environmentalleague.org
You can find contact info for your legislators at: https://malegislature.gov.
A big thank you to Erica Mattison at the Environmental League of Massachusetts for her leadership on this issue.
Take Action on Final MA Energy Bill!
Take Action! There is still time to urge the Legislature to ensure the final bill keeps Massachusetts on track to transform its energy profile and to meet its climate goals. Please take a moment to:
EMAIL House and Senate members of the Energy Conference Committee (see names below) and urge them to pass a bill that includes a 2% per year increase in the RPS, prohibits a pipeline tax, addresses gas leaks, and establishes a first-in-the-nation home energy rating program.
EMAIL your state legislator(s) and urge them to support a comprehensive energy bill.
Find House Rep and Senator’s contact info
Background The House and Senate each passed an energy bill earlier this month (H4385 and S2400). Senators Downing, Pacheco, and Tarr, together with Representatives Dempsey, Golden, and Jones comprise the energy conference committee tasked with reconciling the two bills and releasing a final compromise bill. Send committee members an email now.
While the final bill will include large procurements of hydroelectricity and offshore wind*, a truly robust energy bill should also include provisions to:
- Increase the MA RPS by 2% per year (a requirement that helps drive demand for new renewable energy projects).
- Prohibit the proposed “pipeline tax” (a consumer protection measure, overwhelming supported by Massachusetts residents).
- Address and accelerate gas leak repair
- Establish a home energy rating and disclosure program (MPG sticker for your house).
*BEAT feels strongly that the amount of off-shore wind should be at least 2,000 MW in order to provide the incentive for companies to build the components IN MASSACHUSETTS, rather than shipping them in. This would stimulate our economy and position us to supply the rest of the east coast as they build off-shore wind.
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There’s still time to get more nature in your summer with Flying Deer Nature Center!
Flying Deer has three Cottonwood Camp spots open for next week, August 1-5, for ages 6 to 12. Register now. Each day features a different aspect of nature and wilderness skills, from fire-making to animal tracks to insects and plants.
Also have a few spots in Wolf Camp, August 15-19, for ages 11 to 13 — a backpacking trek in the beautiful Berkshires!
And a few spots left in Katydid Camp, August 22-26, for ages 3 to 5 — a story-filled adventure exploring the wonder of the outdoors.
All other summer camps are full — e-mail to be added to a waiting list.
Calling all parents — we’ve got a program for you, too!
Awakening Wild
Nature Immersion for Adults
one weekend per month, September-May
Connection. Challenge. Transformation.
Reawaken to nature, community, and your deepest self in this unique three-season program, guided by expert naturalist mentors. Learn about wild edible plants, the language of birds, animal tracking, lighting fire with friction, shelter building, hide tanning, basketry, permaculture design, and more.
EPA Finalizes Clean Air Act Finding that Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Certain Classes of Aircraft Endanger Human Health and Welfare
The EPA finalized findings that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from certain classes of engines used in aircraft contribute to the air pollution that causes climate change endangering public health and welfare under section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act. These findings focus on the six well-mixed GHGs that together represent the largest driver of human-caused climate change: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The EPA’s final endangerment and contribution findings for aircraft GHG emissions are in preparation for a future domestic rulemaking process to adopt future GHG standards. Any future proposed aircraft engine standards would also be open to public comment and review before they could take effect.
- Fact Sheet: EPA Finalizes First Steps to Address Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aircraft Engines (PDF) (3 pp, 109K, EPA-420-F-16-036, July 2016)
- Final Rule (PDF) (210 pp, 1.0MB, prepublication, signed July 25, 2016)
PLAN and Berkshire Environmental Action Team Join Forces To Appeal MassDEP 401 Water Quality Certificate Issued for TGP Connecticut Expansion Project
BOSTON – Members of the Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast (PLAN) and landowners in Sandisfield have teamed up with the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) to appeal a 401 water quality certificate, issued at the end of June by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline Connecticut Expansion Project. The appeal was filed with DEP on Wednesday, with the assistance of the Boston law firm of McGregor & Legere, P.C.
About half of the nearly four-mile portion of the project in Sandisfield is through Otis State Forest, acquired by the state for protection from further development less than a decade ago, at a cost of over $5 million. The project is designed to serve gas companies in Connecticut, which has a statewide plan in place to convert 300,000 homes and businesses to natural gas.
“I feel like the government is turning a blind eye to the environmental damage you can see from TGP’s existing pipelines here,” said Sandisfield resident Jean Atwater-Williams, who is part of the group appealing the 401 water quality certificate. “On our property alone, their poor maintenance practices have led to invasive species spreading across wetlands. Once they get the go-ahead, I think they do the minimum they can get away with,” she said.
PLAN’s president, Kathryn Eiseman, said, “Otis State Forest has become a flashpoint for a lot of people. We all want to make sure that the natural resources here are protected, and that DEP and Kinder Morgan follow the letter of the law.”
“Kinder Morgan has a terrible track record,” said Jane Winn, BEAT’s executive director. “I don’t think they even live up to their own ‘best management practices.’” For over a decade, BEAT has worked to help people in the Berkshires take action to protect the environment. “I am very concerned about the impacts the project would have on the wetlands and Spectacle Pond.”
PLAN is funding, and fundraising for, the appeal. “One of the reasons PLAN formed was so that people and organizations across the region could pool their resources to hire top-notch legal and technical experts,” said Eiseman.
People who want to contribute to this effort can donate to BEAT and put “401” in the memo line or donate at www.thebeatnews.org/donate and include reference to “401.”
Meanwhile, at Berkshire County Superior Court in Pittsfield, a status conference was held on Wednesday afternoon in TGP’s condemnation case against the Commonwealth, where the pipeline company is seeking to take land in Otis State Forest for the project by eminent domain.
Experienced Solar Technician
About Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS)
Since 1985 our mission has been to install safe, efficient & durable PV systems. We are looking for an Experienced Solar Technician to join our team! BPVS is fully licensed (MA HIC 131996) and insured for commercial, institutional and residential PV systems. All of our installations are fully permitted and approved. BPVS has helped pave the way for PV acceptance by installing the first solar electric systems in over 90 jurisdictions and several utility territories. Office Phone: 413-743-0152.
Job Duties
PV installation tasks
Qualifications
At least 2 Years working in solar field
10 Hour OSHA Card
Drivers license (with a clean record)
Plus but not required:
CSL
NABCEP Certified
Experience working with AutoCAD
Send resume & cover letter to Becca Martin at Becca@bpvs.com
Rebecca Martin
BPVS (Berkshire Photovoltaic Services)
46 Howland Ave
Adams, MA 01220
Tel: 413.743.0152
Fax: 413.743.4827
www.bpvs.com
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Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY
Category: Research Foundation
Department: EFB
Locations: Albany, NY
Posted: Jun 27, ’16
Type: Full-time
About College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Founded in 1911, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the nation’s oldest and most respected school dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future. The ESF main campus is in Syracuse, NY and has regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park. ESF consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Peterson’s Guide, The Washington Monthly, Princeton Review and other national college guidebooks.
Job Description:
Title: Research Scientist
Department: Environmental and Forest Biology
Salary: $50,000 minimum
Duration: Through March 2018, with likely continuation through March 2023
Location: Albany, NY (New York State DEC Headquarters)
Brief Description of Duties: This position will work closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Wildlife (BOW) staff and will function as the BOW’s Data Scientist. This position will assist the Game Management Section with annual monitoring efforts by maintaining current systems in antiquated database software (i.e., Visual FoxPro and Turbo Pascal) while simultaneously working to upgrade the programs in a modern data analysis language (i.e., R or Python) and database platforms (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, sqllite, or MS Access). The position will seek opportunities to streamline and automate the workflow and data flow involved in annually recurring surveys conducted by the Game Management and Wildlife Diversity Sections.
The Research Scientist also serves as a consultant to BOW staff throughout the state and research collaborators, providing direct support with statistical analyses, guidance on sampling designs, evaluation of project proposals to ensure statistical validity, assistance with preparation and review of technical reports and manuscripts, and response to data requests from staff and the public.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Oversee annually recurring deer harvest estimation. This is a major project and involves validation of all input data sources (e.g., harvest reports from hunters, biological data from field checked deer, etc.), statistical analyses (descriptive and inferential), development of summary tables, and appending estimates to several long-term databases and spreadsheets.
Oversee data validation and analysis of annual data collection from a variety of wildlife observation surveys (e.g., bow hunter sighting log, big game hunter survey, grouse and turkey hunter logs, drumming surveys, incidental sightings) to monitor relative abundance of deer, bear, moose, turkey, selected furbearers, and other game and non-game wildlife species statewide. Evaluate and refine as appropriate.
Provide technical guidance on data management systems, maintain and update computer programs used to analyze survey data, and help identify and correct sources of errors that occur in telephone, internet and scannable form reporting systems.
Provide statistical expertise and consultation for design and analysis of wildlife population research, user surveys, and monitoring programs and evaluate those surveys and programs after implementation.
Provide user-friendly reports and data queries from the above surveys as needed for public information or management purposes.
Assist BOW biologists in the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports.
Train and supervise support staff to assist with data quality assurance and validation procedures.
Travel around New York State as needed to meet with and make presentations to regional staff, other professionals, and wildlife management stakeholders.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a Master’s Degree and one year of professional research experience, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Expertise MS Access and with one or more statistical programming language such as R, Python, and/or SAS.
Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships and collaborate with diverse personalities on project teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a PhD, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Proficient with a version control system for software development (e.g., Git, Subversion, etc.)
Familiarity with Turbo Pascal and/or MS Visual FoxPro
Proficient at writing custom functions and/or packages in R and/or Python
Strong familiarity with relational databases and proficient using SQL
Experience developing dashboards such as RShiny Flex Dashboards, ArcGIS Dashboard for Operations, Rbokeh, Python bokeh, etc.
Proficiency with likelihood-based and Bayesian inference.
Experience working closely with state or federal wildlife agency staff.
Advanced user of ArcGIS for Desktop.
Additional Information: In accordance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act” institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin and veteran or disability status.
Application Instructions:
Date to Be Filled: August 1, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Application Deadline: Although the college will accept applications until the position is filled, interested candidates should submit their materials by July 15, 2016 to ensure optimal consideration.
Application Procedure: Employment application must be submitted on-line. Be sure to include contact information for a minimum of 3 references in your resume/CV.
Seasonal Outdoor Educator –
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Grafton, NY
Experience needed: Experience working with children in the outdoors required. Some experience in outdoor recreation preferred. Education required: Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences or Education.
Job Requirements: Must be able to perform physical work in the outdoors, be able to work some weekends and evenings and possess a valid driver’s license.
To apply: Please send resume and Rensselaer County application (available at www.rensco.com) to: Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyille, New York 12052 or contact Lisa Hoyt at 518 658-2055 ordykenpond@gmail.com. Applications accepted until position is filled.
Visit our website for more information about our summer camp and programs at:http://www.dykenpond.org
Dyken Pond
Environmental Education Center
475 Dyken Pond Road
Cropseyville, New York 12052
518 658-2055
Greenagers Summer Jobs
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. Click here to find out more information and apply online.
Greenagers’ Summer Programs
Greenagers has some great summertime opportunities for middle and high school students.
For middle-schoolers living in and/or attending SBRSD: Greenagers is hosting a summer environmental program exploring our conservation areas and local farms. Activities will include hikes, canoeing, farm visits, and service projects with our community partners. These partners include The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Sheffield Land Trust, Indian Line Farm, Trustees of Reservations, and many more. Our main goal with this program is to provide engaging, thought provoking activities that promote a deeper connection with our local resources. For more information, please contact Greenagers: 413-644-9090 /office@greenagers.org.
For Berkshire County high schoolers: we currently have two spots available on our community trail crews. These are paid summertime positions. Please contact Elia for more information.
Weekend Visitor Services Staff
Responsible for staffing the admissions office, Sundays, 10am – 4pm and some Monday holidays, greeting visitors, answering telephones, selling books, gifts, and bird feeders, processing registrations for programs, events and camp and generally representing Pleasant Valley and Mass Audubon to the public.
If you are looking for a part time position, have a love of nature, and enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with our visitors, this is a great opportunity for you. This is a year round position, however seasonal applicants will also be considered.
Qualifications
- Friendliness, tact, dependability, enthusiasm and a desire to work with people.
- Ability to deal with the varied pace of a public attraction necessary (there can be over 400 visitors on a busy day).
- Experience with handling money, using a cash register and credit card machine.
- Ability to take responsibility for office without additional staff.
- Customer service experience preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn basic computer programs.
- An interest in natural history is helpful, natural history background a plus.
- Must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI).
Compensation and Benefits – Rate of pay $10-$11.00/hr
How to Apply
Please email your resume and cover letter to: