News Headlines
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Help House Vital Seasonal Conservation Staff
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Protecting our Public Lands from Energy Development
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Northampton Farm is Labor of Love
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Put Massachusetts on the Map, Massachusetts can be the Next State to Stand Up for Democracy
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Housatonic River Status Report Posted on EPA Website
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Discount Pricing on Solar Electric in Pittsfield and Lenox
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‘Symphony of the Soil’: New Documentary Connects Soil Health to Human Health
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The Fight for Endangered Species Continues
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Connecticut River Watershed Replanted
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Invasives, Invasives, Invasives, Oh My!
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The Trustees of Reservations has a New President
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EPA Launches Competition for College Students to Develop Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management
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Student Climate & Conservation Congress… June 24-June 29, 2012. Nominate Someone or Apply TODAY!
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RGGI Stakeholder Comment Period
Help House Vital Seasonal Conservation Staff
Can you help House Conservation Interns?
Mike Leavitt and Caleb Jackson need a home for the summer. Mike is an Americorps Service Learning Coordinator working with local youth on conservation projects. Caleb is coordinating four Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners in Connecticut and Massachusetts, helping to protect and preserve the trail through education.
Caleb is a skilled carpenter, and also has experience restoring and maintaining antique tools. Mike has been a caretaker at a large property in New Marlboro for the past eight months. Both are willing to work for all or part of their rent. Both are responsible and friendly. Caleb has an adorable and well-behaved dog named Corey.
Here is a blog entry Mike wrote about his work. Here is a magazine article about Caleb and his work.
Finding seasonal housing for these kinds of positions, which are so vital to preserving and enhancing the conservation landscape that makes these Berkshires special, is a real challenge. A collaborative exists to try to build a facility that can solve this problem not only for AMC, but for the myriad of other conservation organizations in the county. Until we complete this project though, we need the help of our neighbors. Caleb was just telling me with a straight face about how he intended to camp for the summer. Help support these dedicated and talented young people and the important work they do, and let them know the neighborly spirit we benefit from here in the Berkshires.
Thank you,
Matt Moore
Protecting our Public Lands from Energy Development
from the Appalachian Mountain Club
Lands that AMC has helped to protect, and that are enjoyed by millions each year, are continually targeted by energy development (driven by the growing energy demand in our region). We are working to safeguard public lands so that they remain ecologically intact and open to recreation. Here is an energy projects in which AMC is involved that would affect public lands throughout our region:
In New Hampshire, the “Northern Pass” transmission corridor project would cut a swath up to 410 feet wide for towers 90-135 feet high through the Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge, the White Mountain National Forest, and across the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, in addition to marring other public and private lands in New Hampshire’s North Country.
AMC continues to support energy efficiency and appropriate renewable energy siting as the most effective ways to protect our clean air and climate.
Northampton Farm is Labor of Love
from the Trust for Public Land
There’s something special about community farms: They’re where we fall for local food, for fresh air—and sometimes even for each other. In Northampton Massachusetts, Jen Smith and Nate Frigard have turned their shared passion for local, sustainable agriculture into a thriving farm that’s bringing neighbors together, too.
Put Massachusetts on the Map,
Massachusetts can be the Next State to Stand Up for Democracy
from Public Citizen
The Massachusetts State Legislature is considering resolution S. 772, which would call on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment overturning the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling and restoring constitutional rights and fair elections to the people.
[See BEAT’s Blog for why this is an environmental issue]Our democracy can’t wait. To build momentum, this resolution needs to go forward now.
Contact your state legislators to let them know you support resolution S. 772.
Massachusetts residents can join people in towns, cities and states across the country who are passing similar resolutions. They want democracy to be taken off the auction block. They want to make it clear that democracy is for people, not corporations.
I’m guessing you feel the same way — can you let your state legislators know?
Contact your state legislators today and ask them to make S. 772 a priority this session.
A coalition of statewide and national organizations, including Public Citizen, are pushing legislators to pass this resolution. And, towns and cities are leading the way — already 52 towns statewide have passed local amendment resolutions.
The resolution has support from state legislative leadership and has been reviewed by key committees. But legislative hurdles and other political issues have pushed the resolution aside. To break the delay, we need to make sure state lawmakers know you feel this resolution is a priority.
The clock is ticking for Massachusetts. There is still time to put your state on the map.
Contact your state legislators today and ask them to make sure there is a vote on S. 772 without delay.
Thanks for all that you do,
Mark Hays
Coordinator, Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign
Housatonic River Status Report Posted on EPA Website
http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region1.html (home page)
http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/restofriver/reports/508662.pdf (direct link)
Discount Pricing on Solar Electric in Pittsfield and Lenox
Solar 101 Kick-off Meeting June 5, 7 p.m. at Berkshire Life Insurance building
On April 12, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced that Pittsfield and Lenox were among 17 communities selected to participate in the 2012 Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass) Program, which helps residents and business owners adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. To encourage participation in the program, discounted pricing is being offered by a Solarize Mass approved PV installer, with the discount increasing as more homes and businesses sign up to go solar. Solarize Mass is part of the effort to reach Governor Patrick’s goal of 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed by 2017.
Pittsfield and Lenox are working with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to inform residents/businesses about the solar discount program, which ends September 30. Mayor Bianchi commented “We are pleased to have been selected by the state to be able to offer these discounts to residents. We hope Pittsfield and Lenox residents will learn about the program so that their home or business can take advantage of the program, if applicable.”
The Solarize Pittsfield/Lenox campaign will officially kick off with a public meeting at the Berkshire Life Insurance Co., 700 South Street, Pittsfield on June 5, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Called “Solar 101,” the meeting will include an overview of the program by representatives from MassCEC along with a question and answer session and the ability to sign up for the program.
“There has never been a better time to go solar,” said Pittsfield Solar Coach, Nate Joyner. “Prices have fallen dramatically in the last two years and customers can choose from lease or buy options, including lease options that require no money down, which means you can start saving money on your monthly electric bill from day one.”
The outreach effort and sign-up period will continue throughout the summer. This is a limited time offer and to take advantage of the discounts, commitments must be made by September 30, 2012. Lenox residents should call 413.637.55000 ext. 1217 for more information. Pittsfield residents should call 413.499.9344 for more information.
‘Symphony of the Soil’: New Documentary Connects Soil Health to Human Health
from Huffington Post Green, May 22, 2012
Jack Algiere’s kids, Ojiah and Sedge, graze the fields at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture.
Jack Algiere has no qualms about letting his kids eat their veggies straight out of the ground from the fields and greenhouses he manages in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
He knows the rich, organic soil will provide Sedge and Ojiah with delicious, nutrient-rich food. Not to mention a possible boost to their immune systems.
His sons have their favorites. “Carrots are up there and consumed after a brush with the shirt sleeve. But spinach in winter seems to be the prize,” said Algiere, the farm manager at Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture. “With most greens, they prefer to graze — no hands — rather than pick.”
Perhaps most importantly, Algiere knows that toxic fertilizers and pesticides will not have touched the carrots or spinach, and therefore can’t pose any risks to his sons’ health.
The Fight for Endangered Species Continues
from Mass Audubon’s Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
As you may have seen in Mass Audubon’s earlier Action Alert, there is an effort in the Massachusetts Legislature to repeal the state’s Endangered Species Act. On Monday, Mass Audubon, Conservation Law Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, The Trustees of Reservation, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Environmental League of Massachusetts will deliver a letter to the Legislature defending endangered species protections. Read what we have to say and find answers to questions on how the law works and why it needs to be defended.
Thank you to the many organizations [including BEAT] that have sent similar action alerts to your members and to the grass roots activists working at the local level on behalf of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable plants and animals. We have heard that legislators are paying attention, but the fight is not over. The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture is still considering legislation that would roll back 20 years of endangered species protections and has until June 15th to make up their minds. For more information and how to get in touch with your legislator take a look at our Action Alert.
Friday, May 18th was Endangered Species Day, a nationwide event focused on the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions we can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open spaces.
On the topic, a new study has just been released highlighting the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act: On Time, On Target: How the Endangered Species Act Is Saving America’s Wildlife. Developed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the report takes an in-depth look at 110 protected species from all 50 states to determine how well the Act is working for them. Its findings suggest 90 percent of the studied species are recovering on time to meet recovery goals set by federal scientists. This important news reminds us that it is not time to turn the clock back in Massachusetts!
Connecticut River Watershed Replanted
In the March enews we told you about New England Wild Flower Society’s partnership with the Connecticut River Watershed Council to replant trees damaged by tornados, Tropical Storm Irene, and a Nor’easter in 2011.
A replanting event was held on May 4, 2012 in Colrain, MA. Trees were planted to start the process of reintroducing productive, healthy stock onto the barren landscape.
Read the article.
Invasives, Invasives, Invasives, Oh My!
from The Trustees of Reservations
Invasives, invasives, invasives, oh my! Get the tools you need to take action against these dastardly foes of your well-loved landscape. (There’s even an app!) Go get ’em >>
Invasive plants are common throughout the Northeast and are spreading from disturbed areas into native vegetation. Although nearly one-third of the current Massachusetts flora is not native to the state, less than 10 percent of these species are considered invasive. The number may be small, but these plants can have a very big impact on the health of our landscapes.
Trustees has a great webpage about invasives >>
The Trustees of Reservations has a New President
Please join us in welcoming Barbara Erickson to the helm of The Trustees of Reservations. Following a nationwide search, Erickson was selected from a wide field of candidates to succeed Andy Kendall, who served as President for twelve years. As The Trustees’ first female President, Erickson will lead Massachusetts’ largest conservation organization, which has experienced a decade of tremendous growth and accomplishments, doubling our membership to more than 100,000 supporters (like you!) and protecting and caring for 106 diverse, publicly accessible properties across the state – iconic natural and cultural landscapes, popular beaches, working farms, urban community gardens, and historic homes and gardens. Erickson will join the organization in July.
EPA Launches Competition for College Students
to Develop Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management
from Water Headlines for the week of May 21, 2012
EPA has launched a new design competition called the Campus RainWorks Challenge to encourage student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management. The competition will help raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges and universities, and train the next generation of landscape architects, planners and engineers in green infrastructure principles and design.
The Campus RainWorks Challenge will help encourage the use of green infrastructure projects on college and university campuses to manage stormwater runoff. Registration for the Campus RainWorks Challenge opens September 4, and entries must be submitted by December 14, 2012 for consideration. Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 – $2,500, as well as $8,000 – $11,000 in funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure.
More information on the Campus RainWorks Challenge: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/crw_challenge.cfm
Return to list of headlines.
Student Climate & Conservation Congress
Student Climate & Conservation Congress… June 24-June 29, 2012. Nominate Someone or Apply TODAY!
Outdoor Nation is all about Outdoor Leadership, and what a better way to hone those skills than to become a U.S. Green School Fellow? The Green Schools Alliance (GSA) in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently accepting applications and nominations for the 2012 Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3). All rising 9-12th grade students — or school faculty or staff — who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their schools or communities are invited to apply to become a U.S. Green School Fellow. Fellows will attend the extraordinary week-long “Congress” at the nation’s premier training facility, the National Conservation Training Center of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in in Shepherdstown, W.V. The mission of Sc3 is to empower outstanding student environmental leaders…and if you’re reading this then that probably means YOU!
Applications are evaluated on a rolling admissions basis and
scholarships are available (yippee!).
RGGI Stakeholder Comment Period
Materials now available at: http://www.rggi.org/docs/Stakeholder_Materials_2012_05_21.pdf
Comments requested by May 31, 2012
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Inc., on behalf of the States participating in the second RGGI control period, is requesting stakeholder feedback on various issues related to program implementation, including:
- Potential Offset Program Modifications;
- Cost Containment Reserve Design;
- Control Period and Compliance; and
- Use of Current Market Reserve Price.
These materials are being released as part of RGGI’s comprehensive 2012 program review. Program review is part of the States’ ongoing commitment to ensure the environmental integrity of the RGGI program and the long-term development of the RGGI market.
The May program review materials, along with instructions for submitting written comments, are now available on the RGGI, Inc. website at:
Copyright © 2012 RGGI, Inc., All rights reserved.
About Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc.: RGGI, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to provide technical and administrative services to the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. For more information please visit: www.rggi.org/rggi.
Our mailing address is:
RGGI, Inc.
90 Church Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10007
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