News Headlines
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Breaking News: State Officials Confirm Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Massachusetts for First Time
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Share Your Fish Tales
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Registration Open for Campus RainWorks Challenge
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Massive Aerial Spraying Provides Dubious Safeguards
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American Lung Assoc. Job Posting: Massachusetts Healthy Air Coordinator
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NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants Available to K-8 Public School Educators
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Welcoming Winter Clothing Drive
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HooRWA announces 2012 State of the River Conference, Saturday September 22
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Help Lenox Harvest Festival Create Zero Waste
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23rd Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference Request for Proposals
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Berkshire Grown Celebrates the Harvest with Local Chefs and Farmers
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Nominate Someone for a Native Garden Installation
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RGGI Auction Sells 24.5 Million CO2 Allowances
Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Massachusetts
Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) today announced that the Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in Massachusetts. The destructive beetle was detected in the western Massachusetts Town of Dalton on August 31, 2012, and was confirmed by federal officials on September 6. Massachusetts is the 18th state in the country to detect EAB.
DCR and DAR officials are working together, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the USDA’s United States Forest Service to take a number of swift proactive steps aimed at preventing the spread of the invasive beetle, including:
- Defining a quarantine area that would only allow the movement of certain wood products under certain conditions.
- A de-limiting survey to help identify the extent of the infestation.
- Working with stakeholders to ensure they know how to properly treat or dispose of infested trees and materials.
- A survey with federal agencies to determine how long the area in which EAB has been present in our state, information which will help determine strategies in how to best address the threat.
- DCR will also maintain a ban that has been in place against bringing any firewood into state parks and forests.
“The Emerald ash borer brings a very serious threat to our ash trees, and we are not taking its presence lightly,” said DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert. “We are taking swift action to address the infestation, and are working to mitigate any impact an infestation could bring.”
“Together with DCR, we are moving forward to develop and implement the best strategies to contain this invasive pest,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson.
Regulated items that would fall under quarantine include the following:
- The Emerald ash borer, in any living stage of development;
- Firewood of all hardwood species;
- Nursery stock of the genus (Ash);
- Green lumber of the genus (Ash);
- Other material living, dead, cut, or fallen, including logs, stumps, roots, branches, and composted and uncomposted chips of the genus (Ash);
- Any other article, product, or means of conveyance that an inspector determines presents a risk of spreading Emerald ash borer and notifies the person in possession of the article, product, or means of conveyance that it is subject to the restrictions of the regulations.
The EAB is a small, flying beetle, native to Asia. It was first discovered in North America in 2002, in the Detroit, Michigan area. Unlike other invasive beetles, the EAB can kill a tree fast, within just a few years, because it bores directly under the bark, where the tree’s conductive system is. Since its discovery in North America, it has killed millions of ash trees and has caused billions of dollars in economic loss across the nation.
Ash is a main component of the Northern Hardwood forest in Massachusetts and is a common species in the Berkshires. Ash is also a common street tree in eastern Massachusetts.
Residents are urged to take the time to learn the signs of EAB tree damage and be sure to report any sightings.
- Look for tiny, D-shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees, die-back in the upper third of the tree canopy, and sprouting of branches just below this dead area.
- The Emerald ash borer is a tiny, emerald-green metallic beetle, so small that seven of them could fit on the head of a penny.
To report suspicious tree damage or insect sightings, or to learn more about this pest, visit www.massnrc.org/pests. You can also call the toll free EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512.
More information about EAB: http://emeraldashborer.info
Share Your Fish Tales
The Clean Water Act was passed to ensure that America’s waters are fishable, swimmable and drinkable. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the National Wildlife Federation wants to see and share your ‘fishable’ photos and stories! This is a group for sharing your photos and stories about why clean water and fishing matter to you and your family.
Share Your Fish Tales & Photos!
We invite group members to enter photos in accordance with the above themes and our group rules. Our Clean Water team will choose photos from the group to feature on National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Promise blog leading up to the Clean Water Act anniversary in October.
Submit your photos:
September 5-October 11, 2012
Top Photos announced on Wildlife Promise:
October 11-18, 2012
For each photo submitted please:
-Provide a *brief* photo description: Who is pictured? Tell us about your fish and the water body it came from. Why is this moment special to you? Why do clean water and good fishing matter to you?
-Tag each photo for submission with “fish-tale”
We can’t wait to see the photos you share!
To learn more about NWF’s water work check out:
www.nwf.org/Sportsmen/Water-Issues.aspx and
Registration Open for Campus RainWorks Challenge
EPA is now registering student teams from colleges and universities across the country to participate in its new design competition, the Campus RainWorks Challenge. Participating teams will compete to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management. To compete, student teams, working with a faculty advisor, must submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project on their campus. Winning entries will be announced in April 2013, and winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 to $2,500, as well as $8,000 to $11,000 in funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure. To be considered, teams must register by October 5 and submit their entries by December 14. Click here to learn more and register. Click here to read the blog about the competition.
Massive Aerial Spraying Provides Dubious Safeguards
The State of Massachusetts has been unable to produce the records backing up its claim that the biggest aerial spraying of pesticides in Commonwealth history this July significantly reduced mosquito-borne disease risks, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Further, the state has no proof aerial spraying is an effective safeguard against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
In a July 31 press release the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that “aerial spraying the weekend of July 20-22 reduced the mosquito population by approximately 60 percent within the 21-community spray zone in Southeastern Massachusetts.” DPH Commissioner John Auerbach was quoted as crediting aerial spraying for causing “a significant reduction in the volume of mosquitoes.”
Immediately following that release, New England PEER Director Kyla Bennett submitted a public records request for the materials supporting these claims. More than a month later, DPH has still been unable to produce any records on which it based its press release. The matter is on appeal before the Secretary of State, the last administrative hurdle PEER needs to jump over in order to sue DPH to force production.
PEER points out that agencies conducting aerial spraying concede that it does not eliminate risk from mosquito-borne diseases. So, even a 60% reduction of mosquitoes would not necessarily produce a concomitant reduction in disease risk. Moreover, a 60% kill rate claim is extremely dubious because –
- Droplet size of the sprayed pesticide is the primary factor affecting the efficacy of aerial spraying. In order for a mosquito to be killed by agent used in Massachusetts, the mosquito must be hit by 17 properly-sized pesticide droplets. If droplets are too big, they have less probability of making contact. If too small, they have lessened lethality and become more susceptible to atmospheric conditions, like wind;
- Vegetation prevents droplets from reaching their intended targets. One study on canopy penetration showed that only 7% of the target insects had been hit by pesticides; another showed the kill rate of mosquitoes under dense canopy was 0%. Other studies show no better than 34% mortality in vegetated areas. Significantly, mosquitoes prefer areas that are vegetated; and
- Spraying only targets flying adults, and not the eggs, larva or pupae. That means sequential applications of pesticide are necessary to control emerging adult mosquitoes – otherwise, mosquito control lasts for five to seven days, at most. Massachusetts has conducted aerial spraying during five summers since 1990. Of those five, three consisted of a single aerial spray, and two consisted of two aerial sprays a few weeks apart. None of these sporadic applications could be expected to interrupt the life history of mosquito populations or significantly cut disease risk.
“The Department of Public Health is peddling snake oil when it suggests aerial spraying is demonstrably effective in protecting against EEE,” stated Bennett, a biologist and attorney formerly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, noting the dangers posed by mass pesticide application to both the public and the environment. “To effectively kill mosquitos from an aircraft requires perfect conditions, ideal terrain and a pilot who is an aerial Annie Oakley. It is not surprising that the Department is reluctant to reveal the real numbers behind its press releases.”
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See state claim of 60% success
View the PEER public records appeal
Look at ongoing search for records buttressing DPH claim
Revisit massive aerial spraying this July
Job Title: Massachusetts Healthy Air Coordinator
Reports to: Director, Public Policy
Location: Waltham, MA
Salary Range: $33,000 – $43,000
Date Written: August 28, 2012
The Massachusetts Healthy Air Coalition Coordinator will grow and maintain a strong, broad-based coalition comprised of public health and health care groups in the state. The coalition will engage in a series of actions over the coming year to educate the public on the value of the Clean Air Act to Massachusetts and the health implications of efforts to weaken the law. The Coordinator will plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a well-coordinated and comprehensive Massachusetts campaign (including grassroots advocacy, media advocacy, and direct lobbying) to protect the federal Clean Air Act from being weakened, dismantled or unenforced.
Clean air is at the heart of the American Lung Association’s (ALA) mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The Clean Air Act, which has been in place for over 40 years, protects public health by giving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to reduce harmful air pollution. The most vulnerable among us are children, teenagers, the elderly, and persons already suffering from chronic diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and individuals with low incomes. These populations, as well as the general public, need the Clean Air Act’s safeguards to remain strong to protect their health and improve their quality of life.
- Recruit statewide and community-based health organizations to expand the number of active Healthy Air Campaign partners
- Maintain ongoing communication with coalition partners, Congressional members and staff, and other stakeholders
- Represent ALA and the Healthy Air Coalition at public meetings
- Recruit, train, and mobilize grassroots advocates
- Collect compelling personal stories of those negatively impacted by air pollution
- Assist in organizing a variety of media events including but not limited to event logistics, media outreach, and generation of earned media
- Create campaign collateral, messaging, action alerts, letters to the editor, OpEds, press releases, and testimony as needed
- Strategically integrate social media into campaign efforts
- Partner with ALA Development Staff to leverage campaign successes and challenges to generate supporters, advocates and donors both online and off
- Plan, organize and execute in-district meetings during Congressional recesses
- Periodically assess and evaluate efforts to ensure goals are being met
- Other duties as may be assigned
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in public policy work at the state or federal level including grassroots advocacy, media/public relations, and direct lobbying
- Demonstrated ability to form and support strategic partnerships
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently
- Self-motivated and ability to take initiative on projects
- Ability to travel throughout Massachusetts with the possibility of some overnight stays
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, including attention to detail
Desirable
- Experience as field organizer or coalition manager
- Facilitation skills
- Effective public speaker
- Interest in public health policy and the health effects of poor air quality
- Ability to work on a number of fast-paced concurrent projects, prioritize, and meet deadlines
- Strong analytical and strategic reasoning skills
Contact: Please email a cover letter and resume to kking@lungne.org.
Katie King
Director, Public Policy
781-314-9011
NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants Available to K-8 Public School Educators
Sponsored by Nickelodeon and the NEA Foundation, NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants provide up to $5,000 to K-8 public school educators in the United States.
The Big Help Grants program is dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches to addressing four key concerns — environmental awareness, health and wellness, students’ right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. The grants target these four concerns as areas of great promise in helping students in the twenty-first century develop a global awareness that encourages and enables them to make a difference in their world.
Applicants must be practicing U.S public school teachers or public school education support professionals.
Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology, or scholars-in-residence.
The application process is the same as for the NEA Foundation’s Student Achievement grants. Applicants should specify that their request is for the Big Help Grants program in their application.
For complete program guidelines, eligibility restrictions, and application procedures, see the NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants page at the NEA Foundation Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
Welcoming Winter Clothing Drive
During the week of September 15th, 2012, immigrant advocates and community members across the country will participate in “National Welcoming Week”, a nationwide event that will promote meaningful connections and a spirit of unity between U.S. and foreign-born Americans by providing opportunities to learn about each other and work together for the greater good. (http://www.welcomingamerica.org/get-involved/welcomingweek2012/)
The Berkshire Immigrant Center, a Welcoming America affiliate, will mark the event with a “Welcoming Winter” clothing drive. During the week and through the end of September, the Center will be collecting gently used clothing with an emphasis on winter coats and boots to distribute to our immigrant and refugee community. Many newly arrived immigrants have relocated to the Berkshires from climates where winter clothing is not necessary and are unprepared for the winter months ahead.
Clothing donations are welcomed and can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 9:00AM to 1:00PM at the Berkshire Immigrant Center’s office on the second floor of the First Baptist Church at 88 South Street, Pittsfield. For more information, please contact (413) 445-4881 or email info@berkshireic.com.
The Berkshire Immigrant Center offers citizenship assistance, immigration benefit information and application support, legal assistance, advocacy, and referrals to the growing immigrant population of Berkshire County. The program is funded in part by the Berkshire United Way, the City of Pittsfield, the Mass Bar Foundation, the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, Berkshire Bank, and the New World Fund.
HooRWA announces 2012 State of the River Conference, Saturday September 22
“Irene +1” is the theme of the Hoosic River Watershed Association’s 2012 State of the River Conference, to be held on Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 2 pm at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown, MA. Admission is free.
Jerry Jenkins, geographer, botanist, and author of Climate Change in the Adirondacks, will speak on climate change in the Hoosic watershed. Robin Lenz of Higher Ground, Carol Zingarelli of The Spruces mobile home park in Williamstown (badly damaged during Irene), HooRWA water quality monitoring coordinator Kelly Nolan, and VT representative Bill Botzow will participate in a panel discussion on the aftermath of the storm. After lunch (available for $5, or bring your own), river restoration engineer Jim McBroom, of Milone & MacBroom, will discuss river restoration strategies.
The State of the River Conference is one of several programs of the Hoosic River Watershed Association. HooRWA is dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and enjoyment of the Hoosic River watershed through education, research, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.hoorwa.org.
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Help Harvest Festival Create Zero WasteWe are working on a zero waste effort at the Harvest Festival. It’s the second year that Devi Sharp is heading up the team to compost/recycle waste at the festival on Oct 6-7, where get get up to 15,000 people creating GARBAGE. We need volunteers to help out! If you have sense of humor, passion for saving the environment, and can-do attitude, please contact Devi <devihunt@gmail.com> 413 637-2588
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23rd Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, March 23, 2013 – Worcester, MA
Request for Proposals Due October 19, 2012
We are looking for proposals for the 2013 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference.
About the conference: This annual, day-long training and networking event provides land trust board members and staff, urban parks administrators and advocates, municipal commission members and others interested in conservation with the information, skills, and connections they need to be most effective.
The 2013 conference theme is “What is a Green Future Worth: From Rural Landscapes to City Parks”. While the benefits of protecting our forests, farms and river corridors are well appreciated, green investment pays many other dividends. Equally important for the sustainability of our communities is the greening of our cities. Land conservation and efforts to green our communities contribute to more livable neighborhoods, better public health, more vibrant local economies, clean air and water, and opportunities for access to fresh, local food. In an era of budget constraints and increasing pressure on our natural resources, it is more important than ever that we recognize the economic benefits of land conservation to ensure the sustainability of our communities for future generations.
We welcome your workshop proposals addressing the conference theme or other land conservation topics.
In 2013, the workshop tracks will be:
- Urban Conservation & Greening
- Economic Benefits of Land Conservation & Emerging Issues
- Land Management & Stewardship
- Land Protection Tools & Techniques
- Legal, Tax and Compliance Matters
- Organizational Management & Fundraising
To submit a proposal, click here.
We will consider all submissions received by October 19, 2012.
If you have questions about the submission process or problems submitting your proposal online, please contact Kathy McGrath (kmcgrath@massland.org).
The Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference is co-convened by the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition and The Trustees of Reservations Putnam Conservation Institute.
Berkshire Grown Celebrates the Harvest with Local Chefs and Farmers
Great Barrington, Mass.—Berkshire Grown’s 14th Annual Harvest Supper celebrating local food and farms will take place on Monday, September 24, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Eastover Hotel and Resort in Lenox, Mass.
The Farm to Table feast features delicious dishes prepared by local Berkshire Grown member chefs using fresh ingredients from local farms. The evening will feature a video and sound projection by artist Joe Wheaton featuring images of local farms. The evening also includes a silent auction and a drawing for shopping sprees and gift certificates to Berkshire Grown member stores and restaurants.
“The Harvest Supper celebrates our local farms and gives us a chance to show why we support eating locally grown food,” says Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. “Locally grown food is delicious and when we buy food directly from local farmers we’re strengthening our local economy.”
Participating restaurants include: Allium Restaurant + Bar, Baba Louie’s, Café Reva, Canyon Ranch, Castle Street Café, Eastover Hotel and Resort, Gala Steakhouse & Bistro @ Orchards Hotel, Gramercy Bistro, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, HR Zeppelin Find Handmade Chocolates, John Andrews: A Farmhouse Restaurant, Marketplace Kitchen, Martin’s Restaurant, Mezze Bistro + Bar, The Old Inn on the Green, The Red Lion Inn, Route 7 Grill, Savory Harvest Catering, Spice Dragon, Wild Oats Market and Williams College Dining. Beverages will be provided by Barrington Brewery and Riverbend Café.
New in 2012, sculptor Joe Wheaton, who has just returned from the Burning Man celebration of arts, will be creating a projection installation inspired by Berkshire farms.
The dinner is by reservation only and will take place Monday, September 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 for members and $75 for non-members. Tickets sell out so people are encouraged to call 413-528-0041 for reservations as soon as possible. All proceeds benefit Berkshire Grown, supporting its Buy Local campaign as well as its Share the Bounty project which buys shares in local farms and distributes the fresh food to pantries benefiting low-income people throughout the region.
“We create this special event with a network of generous supporters,” says Zheutlin. The event’s underwriters include Berkshire Bank Foundation, Ginsberg’s Foods, Inc., Lucy Holland and Charles Schulze, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics and The Red Lion Inn; plus Howard and Sue Arkans, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Elisa Spungen Bildner and Robert Bildner, Laurily Epstein, Benno Friedman and Stephanie Blumenthal, Annette Grant, The Hotchkiss School, Jeremy Merrin and Linda Blum, Martin and Jane Schwartz, Honey Sharp and David Lippman, Robert and Marja Tepper; plus Berkshire Co-op Market, Berkshire Properties Agency, Jan Johnson’s Berkshire Wildflower Honey, Black Queen Angus Farm, Blue Q, Ariel Bock, Neil and Katheen Chrisman, Stuart Fischman Esq., Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Steven and Roberta Haas, Bobbie Hallig, Jonathan Hankin, Hartland Designs Inc., Lee Bank, JPC Capital, Inc., Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Deborah Reich, Claire Rosenberg, Marion Simon, L.V. Toole Insurance Agency, Inc., The UltraWellness Center, Ward’s Nursery and Garden Center, Wild Oats Market, and Windy Hill Farm.
A drawing will be held at the Harvest Supper with tickets priced at $10 (six for $50). Drawing prizes include fabulous dining packages at Berkshire Grown member restaurants, and shopping sprees at Berkshire Co-op Market and Guido’s Fresh Marketplace.
A silent auction will offer the chance to bid on and win a variety of items including dinner for two at Blue Hill in NYC, dinner at Blantyre, a Cheese 101 class for two at Rubiner’s Cheesemongers, a day pass for two at Canyon Ranch, a one-night stay with dinner at The Old Inn on the Green, compost from Holiday Brook Farm, a guided mushroom foraging walk from MycoLodge B& B, and a class at The Meat Market.
Berkshire Grown will create a Zero Waste Event. Bob Daley of Daley & Sons in Lee will donate his services to take the waste to Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton, where it will be added to their compost along with the compostable plates, spoons and glasses and will become part of Holiday Brook Farm’s famous “black gold” compost.
Nominate Someone for a Native Garden Installation
- Nominees must be within a 25 miles radius of Project Native.
- Nominees should be full-time residents of Berkshire, Columbia or Litchfield County.
- Project Native will install the garden in the month of October.
- Project Native’s Garden donation will include: a site visit, garden design, garden preparation, plant material and installation.
- Gardens will be approximately 120 square feet.
- Project Native cannot be responsible for garden maintenance.
RGGI Auction Sells 24.5 Million CO2 Allowances
The nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, today announced the results of their 17th auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances.
24,589,000 carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances were sold in the auction, held Wednesday, September 5th generating $47.4 million for reinvestment by the RGGI states in energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy, direct bill assistance, and other consumer benefit programs across the region. These investments in the region’s energy future are creating jobs, reducing energy bills, helping businesses become more competitive, accelerating the development of local clean and renewable energy, and limiting the release of harmful pollutants.
Bids for the CO2 allowances ranged from $1.93 to $6.51 per allowance, with a clearing price of $1.93, the minimum reserve price for the auction. Allowances sold represent 65 percent of the 37,949,558 allowances offered for sale by the nine states.
According to the independent market monitor’s report, electricity generators and their corporate affiliates have won 88 percent of CO2 allowances sold in RGGI auctions since 2008. Additional details are available in the Market Monitor Report for Auction 17, available at:
http://www.rggi.org/docs/Auctions/17/Auction_17_Market_Monitor_Report.pdf
The RGGI states are currently conducting a comprehensive program review to ensure RGGI’s continued success.
The next RGGI auction is scheduled for December 5, 2012.
More data is available at: http://www.rggi.org/market/co2_auctions/results.