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Wasp Watchers Wanted!

Have you heard about the emerald ash borer, an invasive species that attacks and kills ash trees? Did you know that this invasive pest is less than 25 miles from the Massachusetts border in New York? The Massachusetts Wasp Watchers project needs your help to detect EAB! We’ve found a wasp that is an expert at hunting them, and we need volunteers to assist with tracking those wasps.

The smoky-winged beetle bandit (Cerceris fumipennis), a native wasp species, feeds its young by catching beetles in the Buprestidae family, including that most infamous of Buprestids, emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).

Cerceris wasps are a valuable tool in our efforts to find EAB as early as possible, and early detection is our best weapon in preparing for how to manage this pest. The wasps are easy to hunt for, because they build their nests in baseball fields, parking lots, and other places where hard-packed, sandy soil is found. And, lucky for us, these wasps do not sting, even when handled.

The Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources is looking for volunteers to adopt sites with established wasp colonies, to monitor the wasp nests and collect beetles. We will train you and provide you with the tools you need. A training session is coming up mid-June, when the wasps are first expected to emerge for the summer. For more information, contact Jennifer Forman Orth at jennifer.forman-orth@state.ma.us or 617-626-1735.

To learn more about the Massachusetts Wasp Watchers project, see our previous blog post.

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“The Updated Bottle Bill deserves a vote!”

from MassPIRG

Don’t let them get away with this! We can’t sit back and just let them get away with this — we need to act now.

Yesterday, a legislative committee voted 10-7 to put the Updated Bottle Bill into a “study,” instead of giving it a direct up or down vote. On Beacon Hill, putting a bill into a “study” is usually code for “coffin.”

The updates we are proposing — expanding the Bottle Bill to cover all beverage bottles — have been waiting for a vote for 14 years … it’s been studied more than enough.

We still have a chance to pass the Updated Bottle this year, but it’s going to take a big push from every representative. Tell your representatives in the Statehouse: “The Updated Bottle Bill deserves a vote!”

We can’t let 10 people stop something millions of Bay Staters support. We can’t let 10 people block the recycling of another billion bottles per year.

The corporate lobbyists, who were in that hearing room yesterday when the vote took place, are doing everything they can to keep the decision making in the back rooms. There is only one reason the Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo, won’t bring this measure to a full vote — it’s because if he does, we’ll win.

The key to overcoming this committee vote is to build a wave of support from as many state representatives and senators as we can. We know we have the votes; we just need to convince legislators they need to keep pushing. If enough of us speak out, they’ll call for a vote.

But we need to act now. This legislative session wraps up at the end of July. Tell your state representative and senator that you want to see the Updated Bottle Bill brought to a vote.

Thank you,

Janet S. Domenitz
MASSPIRG Executive Director

MASSPIRG: Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group

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Study Finds that Massachusetts Forests Absorb Greenhouse Emissions from 1 Million Homes

Massachusetts has enough forest cover to absorb a million homes’ worth of carbon emissions each year, but that natural scrubbing effect could diminish over time if current development trends continue.  That’s according to a study by researchers at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution who have looked at more than a quarter century of data on the capacity of Massachusetts forests to breathe in and store the heat-trapping greenhouse gas.

The data include measuring the diameters of thousands of trees every five years to gauge their growth and monitoring carbon levels with the help of soaring towers that poke up through the leafy canopy of the state’s forests.

The study found that if the state continues its existing pattern of cutting down trees to make way for homes and businesses over the next half century, the ability of Massachusetts’ forests to absorb carbon could fall by up to 18 percent

Read the complete story at The Portland Press Herald

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Now is the time to watch for Asian Longhorned Beetles

Keep an eye out for Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) this summer. Researchers have predicted the emergence to be around mid-June this year. Much earlier than in past years.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has information on ALB and lookalikes in both English and Spanish available at: http://massnrc.org/pests/alb/albmedia.htm.

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It’s Pollinator Week!

What’s the buzz about? Find out, and use the Trustees of Reservations’ nifty photo field guide to identify the creatures in your own backyard. See what it’s all about >>

This varied collection of creatures – mostly insects, but some other cool specimens – are fun to watch and can be found just about anywhere, including your own yard. Other places to take a peek at pollinators? Fields, farms, community gardens, and parks. But, why should we care about pollinators? Pollinators are crucial to the growth of food and the health of the world around us. In celebration of these tiny creatures that make our lives healthier and more interesting, why not pick a sunny day to get outside to identify some of the many species and experience habitats important for their survival. Here’s a handy photo guide with five of our favorites.

 

For more information on pollinators and what you can do to help them, visit the Pollinator Partnership website – or attend one of Trustees of Reservations’ pollinator programs in the coming weeks:

Planting for Wildlife | June 21
The Buzz About Native Pollinators | August 18
The Buzz About Native Pollinators | August 25
The Buzz About Native Pollinators | September 15


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Hopkins Forest to Host Forest Insect Pest Workshop, June 30th.

 

Land owners, forestry professionals, educators and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to a workshop “Invasive Species: what’s here and what’s on the horizon” on Saturday June 30th from noon to 2:30 at Hopkins Memorial Forest in Williamstown.  Samantha Brady of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will lead the workshop, which will focus on identification and management of two recently introduced forest pests:   the Asian Long-horned Beetle and the Emerald Ash borer.    Outbreaks of both of these tree-killing insects have occurred within 100 miles of the North Berkshires and this program aims to prevent or slow the spread of such outbreaks in our area by teaching people how to identify and report possible infestations.

Both recent arrivals from East Asia, the Asian Long-horned Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer, have already devastated millions of trees in the United States and several states, including Massachusetts, are undertaking ambitious control programs in an effort to limit damage to their forest resources.   As its name implies the Emerald Ash Borer has a special appetite for white and green ash, which comprise nearly ten percent of our North Berkshire timber.  This small green bug, which has done most of its damage in the Midwest, has been working its way east, recently establishing itself in the Hudson River Valley — just 75 miles away.  The Asian Long-horned Beetle is less selective and fatally attacks several of our Berkshire sylvan mainstays, including maples, birches, elms and poplars.  It has ravaged about 20 thousand trees around Worcester, Massachusetts and may be spreading westward.  A local outbreak of either of these tree boring beetles could be devastating to our forests, woodlots, yards, parks and related industries.

This workshop, which will begin at the Rosenburg Center near the entrance of Hopkins Forest, will be conducted in two parts: the first will feature a presentation by Brady, the Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Coordinator for MDAR, to introduce participants to the biology and identification of the insects; the second part will involve a visit to the woods to look for signs of these and other forest pests.  During the field trip, participants will also have the chance to hone their basic tree identification skills.  The program is free, but anyone interested is asked to register in advance by e-mailing ajones@williams.edu or calling 413-597-4353.

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Chapter 61 Renewals Due by June 30th

From Mass Forest Update

Landowners whose Chapter 61 certification runs out in July must submit their Chapter 61 renewal paperwork and new forest management plans to the Department of Conservation & Recreation by June 30th.  Failure to submit the plans on time may lead to the landowners having to pay taxes on their woodlands at the full Chapter 59 rate, rather than at the reduced value for Chapter 61 forestlands.

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Harvard Forest Summer Institute for Teachers 2012 Promotes Forest Ecology Research in the Schoolyard 

From Mass Forest Update

The Harvard Forest in Petersham will again offer a Forest Ecology training institute for teachers of grades 4-12 on July 25th and 26th. Participants will learn from professional ecologists how to implement field studies with their students in their local schoolyard.

Teachers from all districts are encouraged to participate in this orientation to our yearlong Schoolyard Ecology program which includes two optional School-year Seminars in addition to the Summer Institute.

PDPs awarded to all participants.

Teachers can choose from 2 Field Study Theme Choices including “Woolly Bully!! The Invasive Pest, The Woolly Adelgid” led by forest ecologist Dr. David Orwig or “Vernal Pools: Water in the Landscape” led by freshwater ecologist Dr.  Betsy Colburn.

3 Graduate Credits are available through Fitchburg State University.

For more information on Harvard Forest research and education opportunities, refer to our website:
http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/education/k-12.html

___ July 25th Intro. Workshop-Project introduction, materials and PDPs provided-$50 registration fee to ” Harvard University “. Includes 2 optional follow-up workshops during the school-year.

___July 25 AND 26- Graduate Credit Option. Intro session, materials,  PDPs, plus Graduate Course planning and discussion session, and 2-3  required follow-up workshops during the school-year.

$200 fee to ” Harvard University “, plus $255 to ” Fitchburg State   University “. Details re: Graduate Course Credit Option available on  request.

Registration Deadline: July 1st. Limit 10-20 participants in each study group.

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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Seeks Proposals for America’s Great Outdoors: Landscape Stewardship Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System, has announced a request for proposals for the America’s Great Outdoors: Landscape Stewardship Program, a new initiative designed to develop community-based partnerships that further the conservation of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in distinct landscapes. The initiative is intended to help bring together public and private partners to replicate successful community-driven regional landscape conservation coalitions.

The program will provide competitive grants for efforts to create and increase capacity of new and fledgling community-based landscape conservation coalitions, including development of measurement goals for conservation success, mentoring and training sessions for new coalitions, and fostering coordination between local communities and federal natural resource agencies.

Nonprofit organizations and tribal groups are eligible to apply.

In 2012, approximately $180,000 will be available for grants of one to two years. Projects will be funded in two categories. Training and Mentoring by Existing Conservation Coalitions grants will award between $10,000 and $40,000 to support existing landscape coalitions or entities with experience in landscape conservation mentoring to conduct mentoring and training for newly-formed conservation coalitions. Capacity Building for Newly Formed Landscape Conservation Coalitions grants will provide $25,000 to $75,000 to support the creation and/or capacity growth of new regional community-driven coalitions to support landscape-scale habitat protection and restoration. While no match is required, a match of non-federal cash and/or an in-kind contribution will make a proposal more competitive. Partnerships with corporations and foundations are strongly encouraged.

Click here, here or contact Teal Edelen at teal.edelen@nfwf.org for more info.  


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Center for Environmental Civics-Summer Institutes for High School Students

Christopher Bathurst and Paul Newlin recently founded the Center for Environmental Civics the purpose of which is to inspire citizens to engage in environmental governance.  We would very much appreciate your help in getting the word out about our summer institutes for high school students.  These are five day (9-4pm) sessions designed to equip participants with the tools they need to become active players in decisions about our environment, decisions made at all levels and forms of governance both political as well as corporate.  The cost of a week is $275.  More information, as well as institute application forms, can be found at www.centerforenvironmentalcivics.org or by calling Paul at the number below.  We are hoping to have approximately 20 participants for each week.  The institutes will be held at Smith College (July 9-13) and Amherst College (August 6-10).

Chris and Paul have long been involved in citizen action for a healthier environment.  We have also long believed that the environment is our collective responsibility, and that if we as citizens don’t take care of it together other interests will and in ways that may not be in our best interest nor that of the environment.

 

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