News Headlines
-
Calling All Trackers!
-
Return On Investment in Parks & Open Space in Ma Report Released
-
Safe Cosmetics Victories!
-
The Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour Kicks Off With Performance by the Boxcar Lilies at Hancock Shaker Village
-
GE Labeling Would Not Impact Supermarket Prices, New Study Says
-
Berkshire Conservation District’s New Holiday Bulb Sale Now through October 15th
-
DCR Posts Six Forest Management Projects for Public Review and Comment
-
DPW Global Positioning Training
-
Berkshire Conservation District Currently Has Two Openings On Board
-
Outreach Administrator – Mass Land Trust Coalition
-
River Network is Searching for a New President
-
The 2014 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant Round is now OPEN!
-
A Career Fighting for the Environment: Green Corps just opened applications for the Class of 2015
-
Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator
-
Job Posting: Executive Director for Project Native
Calling All Trackers! Know anyone interested in the Keeping Track Program? BEAT is soliciting for 18 people to fill out the 2013-2014 training roster.We’d like to have the program up and running by October which means we’re really moving on this thing. Any referrals would be stellar!Please refer individuals to Elia@thebeatnews.org. Elia Del Molino is the Program Manager at BEAT and organizing this year’s training.Happy Tracking!
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
-Cactus Ed
Return On Investment in Parks & Open Space in Ma Report Released
from MassLand E-News
On September 4th, the Massachusetts conservation community held an event at the State House to announce the release of a report: “The Return on Investment in Parks and Open Space in Massachusetts” authored by the Trust for Public Land and funded by contributions from over 25 conservation NGOs.
Highlights from the report:
- For every $1 invested in land conservation, $4 in natural goods and services is returned to the Massachusetts economy.
- Visitors to Massachusetts spend an estimated $16.9 billion each year and generate $1.1 billion in state and local taxes. The total economic impact of this travel is $26.9 billion. Tourism supports nearly 125,000 jobs, which provides $3.63 billion in wages per year.
- Outdoor recreation generates $10 billion in consumer spending, $739 million in state and local tax revenue, 90,000 jobs, and $3.5 billion in wages and salaries each year in the state.
- Agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing, and related processing activity are responsible for $13 billion in output, and 147,000 jobs in Massachusetts.
The report and summary fact sheet are available to all at:
Report: http://www.tpl.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/massachusetts
Report Summary: Use the above link, and look under, “publications.”
Safe Cosmetics Victories!
article mostly from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Thanks to consumers like you, the beauty industry is getting a makeover! Walmart and Procter & Gamble have committed to eliminating toxic chemicals from their products.
BEAT is a supporter of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, fighting with them for safer makeup, shampoos, and lotions, and now we are getting two big breakthroughs in one week.
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, and Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer goods maker in the country, announced they were taking steps to reduce the toxic chemicals found on store shelves and in everyday products.
On Thursday, Walmart announced it was committed to banning as many as 10 toxic chemicals from products sold in its stores, including national and store-brand cosmetics, personal and beauty products, and household cleaners.
Last week it was reported that P&G decided to eliminate the toxic chemicals triclosan and DEP, an ingredient found in fragrances, from all its products globally by 2014.
One of the chemicals that Walmart plans to ban is also expected to be triclosan, found in everything from toothpaste to hand sanitizer to moisturizers. Both triclosan and DEP have been targeted for removal by the Campaign because of their links to breast cancer and reproductive harm.
Together, we’re giving the beauty industry a safety makeover!
Sincerely,
Margie, Sarada, Janet, Jamie, Cindy, Shannon and all of us at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour Kicks Off With Performance by the Boxcar Lilies at Hancock Shaker Village
About The Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour
The Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour is a four-day, 240-mile bike tour showcasing the best of Massachusetts cycling. The event is presented by MassBike, Massachusetts’ statewide bicyclist advocacy organization. Beginning on Wednesday, September 18th at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, the tour meanders through the Connecticut River Valley and spins through the historic communities of Lexington and Concord before arriving in Boston on Saturday, Sept. 21st. On Sunday morning, Tour riders will join more than 5,000 cycling enthusiasts for Hub on Wheels, Boston’s annual cycling festival.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with Hancock Shaker Village and the Boxcar Lilies to bring the Tour and this musical event to the Pittsfield community,” said Gary Briere, one of the event organizers. “Throughout the tour, we’re striving to connect our riders to the local communities they pass through by linking to local businesses, local attractions and local people. A special performance like the Boxcar Lilies at Hancock Shaker Village is a wonderful way to encourage that interaction. We truly appreciate the contributions by local businesses, organizations and individuals that have helped make this event possible.”
Learn more about the Tour at www.berkshirestoboston.com
The Boxcar Lilies will be entertaining Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour riders on Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 in the unique setting of Hancock Shaker Village. Riders will be gathering at the Village from 15 states and three countries to begin their four-day ride across Massachusetts to Boston. Event organizers encourage the Pittsfield community to welcome riders and enjoy this rare Berkshires performance by this trio that has brought their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to venues across the Northeast and beyond, including The Iron Horse Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia’s Tin Angel.
About the Boxcar Lilies
Based in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, the Boxcar Lilies have quickly made a name for themselves with their standout combination of spine-tingling, innovative harmonies and quality songwriting. They’ll be accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, electric bass, and washboard and they’ll have their killer backing band in tow including Jim Henry on dobro and other stringed instruments, Paul Kochanski on bass, and Rick Mauran on drums.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Berkshires to Boston Tour’s entertainment schedule this year,” said Stephanie Marshall of the Boxcar Lilies. “We plan to deliver a great, Welcome-to-Massachusetts show that will be playing in their memories as they pedal all the way to Boston.”
Learn more about the Boxcar Lilies at
http://www.boxcarlilies.com/index.html
About Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock Shaker Village is one of America’s finest and most authentic living history museums. A National Historic Landmark, HSV is the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site, housing a premier collection of original Shaker furniture, art, objects, tools, textiles and other artifacts. The Village also preserves hundreds of acres of farm, meadow, woodland, watershed and hiking trails. The Village has 18 significant historic buildings, a modern Visitor Center that accommodates customer service, exhibit and conference spaces, a café, and museum store.
“At Hancock Shaker Village, we strive to honor the Shaker principles of community, sustainability, quality and authenticity in everything we do,” said Laura Wolf, Director of Marketing and Operations at HSV. “We’re delighted to be hosting the first Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour here and to invite our local community to enjoy this special performance.”
Hancock Shaker Village is located at 1843 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield, MA. Show begins at 7:30 PM. Your donations help bring this event to the central Berkshires community.
For more information, contact Gary Briere at 413 824-2041 or email gary@berkshirestoboston.com
GE Labeling Would Not Impact Supermarket Prices, New Study Says
from Just Label It
Requiring food manufacturers to label products that contain genetically engineered (GE) ingredients will not increase food prices at the supermarket, according to an independent study released today by the national Just Label It campaign.
The study, conducted by food marketing expert Kai Robertson, found no evidence connecting changes in food labels to supermarket prices. Robertson is an independent consultant who worked for the Food Marketing Institute and most recently ran BSR’s food, beverage and agriculture advisory practice.
Robertson identified the key factors that influence retail prices, including consumer demographics and rival pricing behavior, along with market, chain and store characteristics. Wholesale prices have less of an effect on retail prices than these demand-related forces, and there is no evidence that label changes affect wholesale prices.
“Food processors regularly make changes to the labels of their products – as part of ongoing product innovation to anticipate and meet changing consumer demands and for other marketing and regulatory reasons,” Robertson wrote. “There are no studies that document the impact of changes to a product’s label on prices charged by supermarkets.”
In sum, this study supports Just Label It’s conclusion that proposals to change labels of GE food will not affect retail prices paid by shoppers.
“Food manufacturers are constantly refreshing their labels to highlight new innovations, so simply adding the words “may contain genetically engineered ingredients” to the back of the package will not add to the cost of making food,” said Scott Faber, Executive Director for Just Label It and formerly Vice President of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Just Label It commissioned the independent study as more than 25 states consider legislation to label GE foods. Two states, Connecticut and Maine, have already approved GE labeling laws, and Washington voters will consider a GE labeling ballot initiative in November. Polls show that more than 90% of American consumers want to know whether their food contains GE ingredients, and 64 nations have already required GE labeling.
###
About Just Label It
JUST LABEL IT (JLI) is a national coalition of 650 diverse organizations dedicated to the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods, also referred to as genetically modified, or GMOs. The Just Label It message is simple: consumers have a right to know about our food so we can make informed choices about what we eat and feed our families. For updated information, visit the Just Label It website, (www.justlabelit.org)
Berkshire Conservation District’s New Holiday Bulb Sale Now through October 15th
Order pick-up is November 7th and 8th, 9am to 4pm
At the office in Pittsfield or at Mt. Williams Greenhouses in North Adams
Featuring amaryllis gift sets (includes decorative container and tray, 1 bulb, growing medium), “gift wrapped” amaryllis and paperwhites in a decorative organza bag with satin ribbon, and Christmas-blooming amaryllis (guaranteed to bloom in 4-6 weeks!)
All of our non-plant gift items are also available (pocket nature guides, wildflower guides, note cards, and posters). Order Pinecone and Holly note cards while supplies last! (these items may be purchased online if desired)
PLEASE NOTE: This sale is NOT on our website. Please download the attached brochure. Orders are taken by mail or phone only. If you would like to pay with a credit card you may make a donation via our website for the appropriate amount. This is a fundraiser and any items that do not sell well may be discontinued. Please call the office for further details or questions.
Sincerely,
Aimee V. Annichiarico
Administrator
Berkshire Conservation District
Conte Fdrl Bldg, 78 Center St., Ste. 206
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-1776 ext. 102
www.berkshireconservation.org
aimee.annichiarico@ma.usda.gov
Note: My office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 3pm. The district board of supervisors meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at our office at 4pm. Meetings are open to the public.
DCR Posts Six Forest Management Projects for Public Review and Comment
The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Bureau of Forestry has posted six (6) forest management projects for public review. These timber harvesting projects demonstrate forestry best practices that will help create a multi-aged, species diverse forest habitat; enhance ecological restoration of degraded natural community types, promote uneven aged forests that are resilient to large scale disturbances, and produce high quality and high value forest products.
The six projects are located in:
October Mountain State Forest
Sandisfield State Forest
Dubuque State Forest
Warwick State Forest
Templeton State Forest
Myles Standish State Forest
The website address to view these proposals is:
Forest Management Proposals are listed by forest management district and are also summarized in the Timber Harvesting Master Summary List. The Proposed Forest Management Projects are available online, and at every DCR Regional Office and the Boston Office for public review.
Written public comments are due within 45 days of posting the Proposed Forest Management activities in order for the Bureau to address the public issues and incorporate suggestions and concerns into the silvicultural prescriptions. There will be upcoming regional public meetings to also discuss the particular forest management projects.
Comments may be sent via email to Timber.Comments@state.ma.us. All written comments will be posting in their entirety without redaction of personal information.
If you would like to request additional information concerning a Proposed Timber Harvesting Summary, or another Bureau of Forestry issue, please contact the DCR Regional Office Management Forester listed on each Summary.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner John P. Murray, the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr.
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-1250 office / (617) 626-1351 (fax)
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request by emailing Agatha Summons-McGuire at agatha.summons@state.ma.us or by calling her at 617-626-1282. Please provide Ms. McGuire with a description of the accommodation you will need, including as much detail as you can, as well as information on how she can contact you if more information is needed. Please allow at least two weeks (14 days) advance notice to Ms. McGuire of a need for reasonable accommodations; last-minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. To request materials in accessible formats (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), please also contact Ms. McGuire.
DPW Global Positioning Training
The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council is hosting Global Positioning (GPS) device trainings for Departments of Public Work throughout western Massachusetts.Please be advised these training sessions are only being offered to departments in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties of Massachusetts. The trainings will be held in the months of October and November on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 16 in Lanesborough, Ma
Wednesday, October 23 in Amherst, Ma
Wednesday, November 6th in Deerfield, Ma
Wednesday, November 20th in Agawam, Ma
The training is free and each town attending will receive a free Garmin Oregon 650 handheld GPS unit. A representative from the town DPW must attend the training to receive the GPS unit.
This training is for public works and highway personnel who would like to learn how to use global positioning system (GPS) equipment in their work and especially in dealing with the aftermath of disasters, which create problems–debris piles, failed sewers, etc.–that need to be documented in order to mitigate future issues and to receive reimbursement from disaster funds. Additionally, there will be a short seminar explaining ACAMS (Automated Critical Assessment Management System) and how the system can be used to track infrastructure that is damaged repetitively and severely in an effort to collect information in a manner that is consistent and recognized by FEMA, which should simplify the reimbursement process and increase recoupable funds by local communities that have sustained damage following declared storm events.
For more information please go to the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council website’s Training Page at http://wrhsac.org/news/dpw-global-positioning-training-2/
Berkshire Conservation District Currently Has Two Openings On Our Board.
The district board is made up of volunteer members referred to as “supervisors” of the district, responsible for decision-making and steering our mission and activities. New supervisors will be inducted at our annual meeting in November.
The district has been struggling for some time with finances and development and is in need of ambitious, motivated volunteers with knowledge or experience in forestry, agriculture, natural sciences, community development, public outreach, or fundraising/grant seeking.
If you have an interest in our organization and in environmental conservation and education, please consider joining us for a board meeting on the third Tuesday of every month, at the Conte Federal Building in Pittsfield, Suite 206 conference room, at 4pm.
You are also invited to our annual meeting and dinner on Tuesday, November 12th at 6pm at Zucchini’s Restaurant. Dinner is $28. Please call to reserve your tickets. Featuring guest speaker Scott Jackson from UMass Amherst.
For more detailed information about the supervisor position, Berkshire Conservation District, and our activities, please read the attached letter. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Aimee V. Annichiarico
Administrator
Berkshire Conservation District
Conte Fdrl Bldg, 78 Center St., Ste. 206
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-1776 ext. 102
www.berkshireconservation.org
aimee.annichiarico@ma.usda.gov
Note: My office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 3pm. The district board of supervisors meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at our office at 4pm. Meetings are open to the public.
Outreach Administrator – Mass Land Trust Coalition
Work with land conservation leaders for one of the most respected and effective land conservation service organizations in the nation. The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) seeks an experienced individual with a passion for land conservation to work as an outreach administrator. This is a key role reporting directly to the executive director.
Responsibilities include administrative duties with emphasis on outreach to members; assisting with communications including compiling, editing and distributing MLTC’s E-newsletter (twice a month); helping plan and prepare for quarterly steering committee meetings, retreats and workshops including recording portions of these events for use as webinars on the MLTC website; helping to plan and run the Mass Land Conservation Conference including the MLTC exhibitor program; and other projects as assigned.
For this part-time position with flexible hours, the following skills are required:
- High degree of familiarity and comfort with online technology, websites, social media, online marketing
- and communications distribution
- Good communication skills in both writing and public speaking
- The ability to work independently on assigned projects
- The ability to work well with others, and as part of a team
- Knowledge of land conservation issues
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references with contact information to Charles Knox at cknox@massland.org or to Executive Director, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.
River Network is Searching for a New President – please help spread the word!
Are you a visionary leader with passion for our mission and a successful fundraiser who works collaboratively with staff and Board? Our application period is now open.
Do you know others who fit these criteria? If so, please pass this message along.
You can see the full job announcement at the link below:
http://www.rivernetwork.org/news/are-you-next-leader-our-flock
The 2014 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant Round is now OPEN!
Please visit the Recreational Trails Program website for updated grant guidelines, application materials, and paperwork guidelines: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/services-and-assistance/grants-and-technical-assistance/recreational-trails-grants-program.html
Contact Amanda Lewis, Recreational Trails Program Coordinator with any questions at amanda.lewis@state.ma.us or 413-586-8706 ext. 19
Workshops will be held to inform and update the public on the Recreational Trails Program, the application process and discuss any questions potential grant applicants may have. Workshop times and locations are listed below. Please be in touch with Amanda if you are interested in attending a workshop and indicate which one works best for you.
Grant Workshop #1: Wednesday, October 9th, 6:30pm
Pittsfield State Forest Headquarters, Ski Lodge
1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, MA
Grant Workshop #2: Wednesday, October 16th, 6:30pm
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA
A Career Fighting for the Environment: Green Corps just opened applications for the Class of 2015
Click here to download the 2014-2015 Green Corps Program Guide.
Green Corps runs a full year, paid training program for college grads, where our trainees receive instruction in a classroom setting from leaders in the environmental movement and then go on to work on real and urgent environmental campaigns across the country.
Right now, we’re looking for the next class of ambitious, passionate, go-getters who want to make an immediate impact protecting the planet. You interested?
If so, click here.
We’ve just wrapping up the first 3 weeks of classroom training with the class of 2014, with guest trainers Phil Radford, executive director of Greenpeace USA, and Lois Gibbs, executive director of Center for Health Environment & Justice, and the founder of the modern day toxics movement. Now our organizers are hard at work organizing a fossil fuel divestment campaign at Duke University, stopping coal from being exported in Tacoma, WA and working with Food & Water Watch in Colorado and Pennsylvania to make our food system more sustainable.
If this kind of work sounds like it’s right up your alley—click here to take the first step in making a difference on the country’s most pressing environmental issues.
Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator
— From the Department of Agricultural Resources
The Mass Dept. of Agricultural Resources is hiring a part-time Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator to coordinate and participate in educating people about Asian Longhorned Beetle, emerald ash borer, and other invasive species. Position will be 2-3 days per week and will include travel throughout Massachusetts. Applications are due Sept. 12.
Executive Director for Project Native
Project Native, a non-profit native plant nursery, garden center and educational facility located in Berkshire County, MA, seeks a new executive director. Ideal candidate will be a visionary, skilled fundraiser, and engaging leader, an experienced manager, a strategic thinker and deeply committed to environmental sustainability. Project Native is located on a 54-acre farm which includes greenhouses, a seed bank, a retail nursery, educational programming, a butterfly house and public walking trails. The Executive Director must excel at balancing multiple tasks, possess excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a dedicated staff, lead fundraising efforts, write grants and reports, oversee all financial operations, cultivate external relationships with key stakeholders and allies, and meet the demands of managing an organic nursery. This is a full-time salaried position with benefits that may include housing. Please send a letter of interest and resume to projectnativejobs@gmail.com. No phone calls, please. All replies are confidential.