Becky Meier and Bob Connors will be recognized at the 2016 Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards, sponsored by Citizen Action of the Capital District. The award honors leaders of grassroots social change. Bob and Becky founded SNYFGP to fight the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline proposal (NED) when it was planned to transit their town of Canaan NY. When NED was rerouted from Columbia County, they nonetheless continued to organize opposition to it. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY.
Report Finds DEEP’s “Lead by Example” Energy Efficiency Program for State Buildings Not on Track to Meet Mandatory Energy Savings Target
Acadia Center released a report on October 4th showing that Connecticut’s “Lead by Example” (LBE) energy efficiency program does not appear to be on track to reach its mandatory goal of a 20% reduction in energy use in state buildings by 2018. The General Assembly established the LBE program in 2011 to reduce costly energy waste in state buildings, lower the state’s significant operating expense for energy use, and make the state a model for energy efficiency and sustainability. The report finds that mandatory annual reporting for the LBE plan originally filed in 2012 has not been submitted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), as required by law. This apparent failure to report severely hampers any attempt to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the LBE program’s performance. Press Release from The Acadia Center, October 4, 2016.
Columbia County Environmental Management Committee Endorses Renewable Energy Fair
At its September 26 meeting in Hudson, NY, the Columbia County Environmental Management Committee unanimously endorsed the mission of a Renewable Energy Fair to be held on October 29 at MapleHill High School in Castleton–on-Hudson, NY from 10-3 pm. The purpose of the Renewable Energy Fair is to educate the public in ways to save energy, money and, indeed, the planet by means of renewable energies, conservation, efficiency and sustainability.
Jobs
Hoosic River Revival – Executive Director – North Adams, MA
GIS Consulting Services – Columbia Land Conservancy – Chatham, NY
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Member Positions
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Operations & Communications Coordinator, full-time staff position, available Sept/Oct
Experienced Solar Technician – Berkshire Photovoltaic Services – Adams, MA
Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY
Weekend Visitors Services Staff – Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox, MA
Community Preservation Act:
Public Information Forum in Pittsfield Oct 6th
BNRC Launches ‘High Road’ Vision for
Countywide Trail Network
Berkshire Natural Resources Council today publicly launches a campaign to create a countywide town-to-town trail system called the Berkshire High Road.
The High Road campaign will strive to fill in the “missing pieces” in the county’s patchwork of conserved lands and create walking trails through nature linking town and village centers to each other.
To support the vision, BNRC has undertaken a $5 million capital campaign.
“We need to bring conservation and community together,” said Tad Ames, the Council’s president. “People love the Berkshires’ beauty, but it can be challenging to actually get out and experience it.”
The Council’s vision for a countywide walking network is inspired by places like Spain’s Camino de Santiago, or England’s Coast to Coast Walk.
“We aim to create a continuous network of trails to towns,” Ames said. “The High Road will ultimately offer everything from an easy half hour walk to a weeklong hiking holiday across the Berkshires.”
Ames said that the Council has worked quietly on the vision since early 2013. BNRC hopes to complete the fundraising for the High Road Campaign by the end of this year, in time to mark its 50th anniversary in 2017.
Donors have made commitments to the campaign of $4.25 million during the campaign’s “quiet phase,” Ames said.
“It’s a grand vision, and it’s within reach,” Ames said.
He observed that some 80% of the needed links are already in place. The Council’s goal is to help conserve the most strategic lands remaining, and secure trail easements to link landmarks to each other and to towns.
“It won’t happen overnight,” he said, “but with patience and the capacity to create and seize opportunities, the High Road is realistic and attainable.”
The Council has met with many stakeholders, including public agencies, land conservation organizations, municipalities and individuals, in what Ames said will be a “hugely collaborative” effort.
“The Berkshires need economic health and growth,” Ames said, “and the success of that will depend in large part on our ability to grow food here, to keep our air and water clean, to protect the forests and wetlands that buffer us from natural disasters, to allow plants and animals pathways to migrate and adapt to climate change. All these elements combine to maintain quality of life and ensure the Berkshires remain an appealing place to live, visit and invest.”
Walking trails don’t belong everywhere, Ames said, but there’s plenty of room for people to share land with each other and the natural world.
“We envision a 100% walkable Berkshires,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we walk on every square inch – it means we want to give someone the chance to walk from Williamstown to Sandisfield, with options to stop at every interesting and refreshing place along the way.”
“Natural beauty, amazing ecology and outdoor recreation are the Berkshires’ great inherent gifts,” Ames said. “We want to see a healthy economy and a healthy environment working together, now and forever. The High Road is a pathway to that vision.”
Becky Meier and Bob Connors to be honored for community activism and leadership
A message from our friends in New York, October 3, 2016:
Their leadership, vision, and welcoming nature helped particpants feel needed and their dedication motivated others to keep working. They consistently reminded activists that not only must we protect our community, but also we must support other communities in their fight against fracked gas facilities.
They repeatedly reminded activists that not only must the pipeline be stopped from crossing Rensselaer County, but that it must be stopped altogether! In the process, they educated the community about the danger the use of fossil fuel poses to our health, our environment and our climate.
When the NED proposal was withdrawn by the Kinder Morgan Company, did Bob and Becky give up? No, they continued to put out regular newsletters and Facebook updates, and supported other organizations fighting fossil fuel infrastructure. They are currently organizing one of the largest Renewable Energy Fairs ever held in the area at Maple Hill High School in Castleton, NY on October 29.
Becky and Bob will be recognized at the 2016 Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards, sponsored by Citizen Action of the Capital District. The award honors leaders of grassroots social change. It will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 6 to 8 pm at the Desmond Hotel. Tickets are $50.
- To register for the event: http://citizenactionny.org/
perry. - If you are a SNYFGP supporter in need of a reduced price, you can contact Ruth Foster rmfoster@nycap.rr.com.
- If you have questions about the event contact Jamaica Miles at 518.465.4600x 115 or jmiles@citizenactionny.org.
The Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards are named in honor of Jim Perry, a founding member of Capital District Citizen Action he was a leader of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club, instrumental in forming the Empire State Pride Agenda, and his work paved for Albany’s Human Rights Ordinance.
Report Finds DEEP’s “Lead by Example” Energy Efficiency Program for State Buildings Not on Track to Meet Mandatory Energy Savings Target
Press Release from The Acadia Center
October 4, 2016
Hartford, CT — Today Acadia Center released a report showing that Connecticut’s “Lead by Example” (LBE) energy efficiency program does not appear to be on track to reach its mandatory goal of a 20% reduction in energy use in state buildings by 2018. The General Assembly established the LBE program in 2011 to reduce costly energy waste in state buildings, lower the state’s significant operating expense for energy use, and make the state a model for energy efficiency and sustainability. The report finds that mandatory annual reporting for the LBE plan originally filed in 2012 has not been submitted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), as required by law. This apparent failure to report severely hampers any attempt to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the LBE program’s performance.
“As we approach the release of the state’s next Comprehensive Energy Strategy, we thought it would be important to review the state’s progress in key clean energy areas and see if our findings could help inform and improve the next strategy document,” said Bill Dornbos, Connecticut Director and Senior Attorney for Acadia Center. “Not only did we find that DEEP’s “Lead by Example” program for energy efficiency in state buildings has not progressed as intended, but we also discovered that there has been no public reporting about this crucial program for the last four years, even though Connecticut law requires it. After searching the records maintained by the General Assembly and the State Library, we turned up no reporting on the LBE program beyond the initial plan filed in mid-2012.”
“We are releasing our report today because we want this LBE program to be a success,” Dornbos continued. “We need the multi-million-dollar cost savings for our budget-constrained state agencies and the taxpayers that ultimately pay for them, we need the major reductions in energy use to help with the state’s challenge of bringing down greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible, and we need the state to show that it can deliver on an important energy program when it matters. We urge the General Assembly to revisit the “Lead by Example” program and conduct a thorough, independent review to determine how it can be put back on track.”
State buildings present an enormous opportunity to reduce wasteful energy use, lower energy costs for state agencies, and help trim the state’s budget deficits. One estimate for total annual energy consumption in state buildings placed it at 4.1 trillion BTUs — roughly the total annual energy use of residential housing in Hartford and Waterbury combined. The total energy cost is also significant, estimated to be as high as $200 million annually, making it one of the state’s largest operating expenses.
The magnitude of the efficiency opportunity in Connecticut’s state buildings is unclear — an assessment of the potential for energy savings in state buildings has not been performed — but it would likely be cost-effective to reduce energy use in this sector by at least 20 to 30% overall. Energy savings of that size could result in approximately $40 to 60 million in annual savings on energy costs for state agencies. Current LBE program performance does not appear to be reaching these levels.
Acadia Center’s report on the status of LBE implementation in state buildings in Connecticut is available at: http://acadiacenter.org/document/status-of-connecticuts-lead-by-example-energy-efficiency-program-for-state-buildings/
Columbia County Environmental Management Committee Endorses Renewable Energy Fair
At its September 26 meeting in Hudson, NY, the Columbia County Environmental Management Committee unanimously endorsed the mission of a Renewable Energy Fair to be held on October 29 at MapleHill High School in Castleton–on-Hudson, NY from 10-3 pm. The purpose of the Renewable Energy Fair is to educate the public in ways to save energy, money and, indeed, the planet by means of renewable energies, conservation, efficiency and sustainability.
So far, twenty exhibitors have signed up and more are expected.They will provide Fair Door Prizes, Fair discounts and special offers for attendees. Admission and parking are free. This Fair is sponsored by Stop NY Fracked GasPipeline (SNYFGP) is an all-volunteer group of concerned citizens opposed to fossil fuel infrastructure build out inNew York State.
At the Fair, look for: Twelve electric vehicles,wind turbines, a solar boat, solar panel- powered cell phone chargers, ways to pay electric bills via renewable energy, information on conservation and sustainability such as: CSAs, light bulbs, composting, recycling etc. Expect some surprises too. SNYFGP seeks exhibitors and displays for residential, commercial or community solar,wind and geothermal energy, insulation and other energy efficiency products and services.
To register on-line, go to:www.stopnypipeline.org. If you wish to assist SNYFGP by posting flyers, handing out flyers, displaying Fair lawn signs, participating as a vendor, or sponsoring the event, contact Bob Connors or Becky Meier at: 518-781-4686 or email becky@stopnypipeline.org. Submitted by, Robert Connors, Co-founder Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline, 1409 County Rte 5, Canaan, NY 12029. 518-781-4686
Jobs
Hoosic River Revival – Executive Direcor
The Hoosic River Revival, based in North Adams, Massachusetts, seeks an Executive Director to lead our river restoration efforts. We are a community-based nonprofit working to contribute to North Adams’ urban renaissance by transforming an unattractive concrete-walled section of the Hoosic River into a beautiful, ecologically-sound and publicly-accessible riverscape. This full-time position provides an opportunity to live in the beautiful New England Berkshires and oversee a project that will benefit local ecosystems and economies. No previous experience with river ecology is required. Our ideal candidate will have strong experience with project management and working closely with a board, as well as navigating government processes. To read the full job description go to http://www.hoosicriverreviv
GIS Consulting Services
Request for Qualifications: GIS Consulting Services
Columbia Land Conservancy
Release date: August 25, 2016
Introduction: The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) seeks GIS services including data compilation, analysis, and mapping. CLC is working with a network of conservation organizations in the four-state Berkshire-Taconic region, the Berkshire-Taconic Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP). The services provided by the selected GIS consultant will support the RCP in collaborative conservation planning. The process is being overseen by a working group, coordinated by CLC. CLC will contract with the GIS consultant and be the primary contact with the consultant. The budget for this contract will be capped at$14,875.
Purpose: The purpose of this RFQ is to solicit the services of a qualified GIS analyst(s) to provide mapping and spatial analysis desired for the RCP to identify potential focus areas and spatially-explicit conservation priorities and to produce maps depicting the conservation values of the Berkshire-Taconic region which encompasses parts of four states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. (See attached boundary map.) Scope of Services: The contracted services will assist in the RCP’s evolving conservation planning process during the project period. On selection, CLC and the GIS consultant will develop a mutually agreeable scope of work. At minimum, the GIS consultant will produce the following deliverables: • A series of maps of conservation values, including farmland, water features, and organization service territories, and an integrated protected open space parcel layer, among other features at the regional level and within sub-regional geographic areas, with all data sources appropriately credited. Any digital datasets are to be fully documented with metadata detailing source data and methods of developing final data products; deliverables will include map package files for the final maps;• Display-quality maps, finish copies able to be printed at high resolution on ARCH36” wide, of the four-state Berkshire-Taconic region, showing conservation values and features for a public audience. All final electronic files (including shapefiles, mxd files and pdfs) are to be delivered to CLC. The GIS consultant will be overseen by staff at CLC, and will, as needed, participate in conference calls or, if possible, in person meetings with the working group. All work should be completed in the ArcGIS version 10.4.
…READ FULL REQUEST FOR QUALiFICATIONS HERE.
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Member Positions
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps was established in 2010 by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust as a collaboration of regional conservation organizations seeking to engage with more people and do more community conservation projects. The mission of the Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT-AmeriCorps) is to strengthen and grow the land conservation movement by developing the next generation of land trust leaders and mobilizing them in every MA community. Our vision is one where the benefits of land conservation reach every community and are meaningful for all people.
This year, 36 MassLIFT-AmeriCorps members will serve at 21 different host sites (including urban conservation and community gardening/food systems non-profits) across Massachusetts as Land Stewardship Coordinator, Regional Conservation Coordinator, Youth Education Coordinator, or Community Engagement Coordinator. Members create and accomplish projects that increase their host site’s capacity, educate people in environmental stewardship, engage people in volunteerism, and include new constituencies. Specific activities vary by host site.
People of color strongly encouraged to apply. AmeriCorps programs provide equal service opportunities. MassLIFT works 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. The program runs 8/29/16 – 7/28/17. More info at masslift.org.
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Operations & Communications Coordinator, full-time staff position, available Sept/Oct
MassLIFT-AmeriCorps was established in 2010 by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust as a collaboration of regional conservation organizations seeking to engage with more people and do more community conservation projects. The mission of the Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT-AmeriCorps) is to strengthen and grow the land conservation movement by developing the next generation of land trust leaders and mobilizing them in every MA community. Our vision is one where the benefits of land conservation reach every community and are meaningful for all people.
The Operations and Communications Coordinator (OCC) supports the MassLIFT-AmeriCorps program vision on a statewide scale. Reporting to the MassLIFT Program Director, the OCC manages member recruitment and onboarding, communications and marketing, and day-to-day administration of program operations.
We’re aiming to fill this position in September/October 2016. MassLIFT-AmeriCorps may spin off as a separate nonprofit between Fall 2016 and Summer 2017, in which case program headquarters would likely move to Lowell, MA. Applicants should be prepared and willing to relocate to be able to work out of a Lowell office. View the complete position description and application instructions at masslift.org.
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
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.
APPLY HERE.
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: