Bureau of Forestry Pre-Harvest Forest Tours
July 18 & 19, 2017
DCR Foresters will be leading tours of prepared timber sale areas, in Townsend State Forest and October Mountain State Forest, discussing forest management techniques, providing a view of the trees designated for harvest, and explaining how harvest operations will take place. A detailed silviculture prescription for each harvesting operation will be provided to attendees. These tours culminate a public process that included public meetings and a written comment period on each project. FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION <more>
Drive Green with Mass Energy Program Making Electric Vehicles Affordable
New Hampshire Approves Consumer-Friendly Net Metering Revisions and Requires Value of DER Study
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) released an order approving a new net metering tariff on Friday, June 23. In the order, the Commission makes modest short-term changes and outlines a longer-term path to new compensation structures that more closely track the value of distributed energy resources (DER). This order also preserves the principle of treating customers with distributed generation on a level playing field with other customers. FROM ACADIA CENTER <more>
How the Climate Crisis Is Changing Our Rivers
Jobs (click here for full job listings below)
In-Lieu Fee Program Assistant – Dept. of Fish and Game – Boston, MA
Program and Development Assistant – Schumacher Center for New Economics – Egremont, MA
2017-18 Position Openings with TerraCorps – Various locations
Various Positions – The Manice Education Center (MEC) – Florida, MA
Sierra Club – Temporary Boston Online Organizer – Boston, MA
Volunteer Opportunities in the Berkshires w/The Trustees – Stockbridge & Cummington, MA
Mass Audubon – Berkshire Nature Camp Educators @ Pleasant Valley – Lenox, MA
Bureau of Forestry Pre-Harvest Forest Tours
July 18 & 19, 2017
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
DCR Foresters will be leading tours of prepared timber sale areas, discussing forest management techniques, providing a view of the trees designated for harvest, and explaining how harvest operations will take place. A detailed silviculture prescription for each harvesting operation will be provided to attendees. These tours culminate a public process that included public meetings and a written comment period on each project.
The tours will be conducted rain or shine as indicated below. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and to wear sturdy shoes. For additional information about the tours and DCR forest management on State Forests, Parks, and Reservations, please contact William Hill, Management Forestry Program Supervisor, at 413-545-3891.
July 18, 2017 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Townsend State Forest, Townsend
DCR Forester Mike Waterman will lead a tour of the 75 acre planned timber sale in a white pine oak forest type. Meet at the parking area at the entrance to the gated State Forest fire road on the west side of Brookline Road (Rt. 13) in Townsend. Directions: From Townsend Center and the intersection of Rt. 119 and Rt. 13, travel approximately 2.44 mile North on Brookline Road (Rt. 13). The parking area at the fire gate will be on the left side of Rt. 13.
July 19th, 2017 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. October Mountain State Forest, Becket
DCR Forester Kristopher Massini will lead a tour of the 152 acre planned timber sale in an Oak – Hardwood forest. Meet in front of the gate at the Finerty Pond Trail snowmobile parking area; 0.5 mile north of Rt. 20 (Jacob’s Ladder Trail) on Becket Road. Participants will then drive to timber sale location as a group. Becket Road is 4 miles east from the intersection of Rt. 20 and Rt. 102 (Mass Turnpike – Exit 2) in the Town of Lee and is 3 miles west from the intersection of Rt. 20 and Rt. 8S in West Becket.
Drive Green with Mass Energy Program Making Electric Vehicles Affordable
New Hampshire Approves Consumer-Friendly Net Metering Revisions and Requires Value of DER Study
Concord, N.H. — The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) released an order approving a new net metering tariff on Friday, June 23. In the order, the Commission makes modest short-term changes and outlines a longer-term path to new compensation structures that more closely track the value of distributed energy resources (DER). This order also preserves the principle of treating customers with distributed generation on a level playing field with other customers.
“Acadia Center advocated for the key aspects of the Commission’s decision, including the rejection of proposals by the utilities to transition net-metered customers to overly-confusing rate structures and counterproductive price signals,” said Ellen Hawes, senior analyst at Acadia Center. “By finding no evidence of significant cost shifting to other ratepayers, the Commission allows for a gradual transition in compensation while further studies and pilots occur.”
Traditionally, net metering has meant that customers generating their own electricity on site, mostly through solar PV, can spin their meter backwards, being charged or credited at the end of the month based on the net value of electricity they have provided to the grid (exports) minus electricity they have consumed from the grid (imports). The Commission denied the utility proposal to radically reform this approach with “instantaneous netting,” a complex mechanism that charges customers for their electricity imports and exports on a second-by-second basis, which consumers could have a difficult time understanding or managing.
However, new customers with DER will receive new meters that will measure both total imports and total exports of electricity, rather than just the net result at the end of the month. This will be used to ensure that they pay their fair share of taxes and system benefit charges on all imported electricity, rather than just on monthly net use. Other elements of the bill will still be netted monthly. In addition, the credit small customers receive for net exports at the end of the month will be reduced modestly.
The Commission ordered a study to further analyze and quantify the value of DER to the grid, so that consumers can be compensated more accurately going forward. The study process will commence in two months; data will be collected and a series of pilots will be organized. These pilots will examine the benefits of 1) time-of-use pricing, 2) using local energy resources to avoid expensive investments in more poles and wires for transmission and distribution, and 3) offering incentives to make clean distributed generation more accessible to low- and moderate-income customers.
“Acadia Center has advocated for a value-based net metering framework for many years and we are very pleased that New Hampshire has taken a significant step in the direction of our long-term vision,” said Mark LeBel, staff attorney at Acadia Center. “It is important to get the details right, and we are looking forward to participating in the work ahead so that New Hampshire can serve as a model for the region. Acadia Center’s UtilityVision outlines the high-level steps that New Hampshire and other states must take to develop an electricity grid that is flexible, modern and clean. Value-based compensation is a key step, but it must be integrated with broader reforms to the utility regulatory system.”
How the Climate Crisis Is Changing Our Rivers
Jobs
Program and Development Assistant – Schumacher Center for New Economics – Egremont, MA
The Schumacher Center is looking for an exceptional individual to join our team and support other program staff and the executive director in representing the organization and furthering its goals. A successful candidate will be a detail-oriented team player with proven writing, speaking, and event coordination skills. Full details and how to apply here.
2017-18 Position Openings with TerraCorps – Various locations
TerraCorps, formerly MassLIFT-AmeriCorps, is an innovative national service program helping communities conserve and secure land for the health and well-being of people and nature. This year we are looking for 36 members to serve in full-time, 11 month positions. Members will carry out capacity building projects; educate or train individuals; recruit, train, manage, and support community volunteers engaged in land-based activities; and identify new individuals and groups to participate in education, recreation, or service opportunities centered around land access and conservation.
Members serve as: Land Stewardship Coordinators, Regional Conservation Coordinators, Youth Education Coordinators, or Community Engagement Coordinators.
These 1,700 hour AmeriCorps positions receive a living allowance, education award, and additional AmeriCorps benefits. The 2017-2018 program will run from 8/28/17 – 7/27/18.
Application specifics, position descriptions, and information about organizations hosting TerraCorps members can be found at here.
Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Interviews begin mid-April, and we aim to fill all positions by the end of June.
AmeriCorps programs provide equal service opportunities. TerraCorps will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to any particular status. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request. TerraCorps is a grant program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Various Positions – The Manice Education Center (MEC) – Florida, MA
The Manice Education Center (MEC) is intentionally located in a unique outdoor setting within the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. MEC operates several distinctly different seasonal programs that are experientially focused in high-quality environmental education, wilderness camping, and leadership training.
Summer Outdoor educators will lead wilderness expeditions for campers & can expect to guide an average of 6 backpacking and/or canoeing trips, ranging from 2 to 5 days in length. Expedition locations inlude the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Savoy Mountain State Forest, Taconic Trail, Battenkill River, Deerfield River, & Connecticut River. Educators receive training in backpacking and wilderness navigation, participate in a 2 day professional canoe clinic, & can earn free certifications in Wildernes First Aid and/or Waterfront Lifeguarding.
APPLY TODAY – SEND US A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO EMPLOYMENT@CHRISTODORA.ORG
For more details please visit our Jobs page (click here).
Please share this opportunity with your friends and colleagues! If you have any questions about employment in Christodora programs, please contact Matthew Scholl, Programs Director at 413.663.8463 or email us at employment@christodora.org
Sierra Club – Temporary Boston Online Organizer
The Online Organizing team furthers Sierra Club’s goals by using online tools and tactics to engage members and activists at the local and national level. The team focuses on providing timely, engaging actions that Club activists can use to influence policy decision-making processes, as well as further develop and grow Sierra Club’s activist and volunteer leadership bases. This is a temporary position running June – September 2017. Visit the Sierra Club’s website for all the details.
In-Lieu Fee Program Administrator
MassCareers Job Number 170003IV
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is accepting applications for their new In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program Administrator position. The ILF Program Administrator will be responsible for developing a comprehensive framework for ILF Program planning and implementation including: identification, prioritization, selection, review, and approval of proposed mitigation projects; monitoring and tracking implementation, performance, and completion of approved mitigation projects; and managing all financial, accounting, budgeting, and reporting activities and requirements related to DFG’s administration of the ILF Program consistent with Department policies and the ILF Program Instrument. The ILF Program Administrator is a position within the Office of the Commissioner but will also work collaboratively and in partnership with staff from the Division of Ecological Restoration, Division of Marine Fisheries, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the agency’s Land Protection Program.
For additional information and details about the ILF Program Administrator position, and to apply, please visit the MassCareers Job Opportunities website and search for Job Number 170003IV or click here. The job is open until filled. However, applicants within the first two weeks typically receive preference. For additional information about DFG’s In-Lieu Fee Program click here.
Questions? Please contact Christy Edwards at christy.edwards@state.ma.us or 617-626-1518.
Volunteer Opportunities with The Trustees
“Time travel” with The Trustees, and take our visitors on the voyage with you! Become a National Historic Landmark Greeter at Mission House (Stockbridge) or Tour Guide at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead (Cummington) and share the stories and magic of these special places. No experience necessary. Training provided. Fridays through Sundays. Flexible. Fun. Social. Rewarding.
Visit www.thetrustees.org/volunteer or contact tbeasley@thetrustees.org or413.532.1631 ext. 3119 for more information.