Thank you to Rachel Branch, producer of the television show Solutions Rising for including a “BEAT” series for people to learn more about the fracked gas pipelines proposed to bring gas from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania across New York, Massachusetts, and New England.
Holyoke leads the way towards 100 percent renewable energy (Guest commentary)
In recent years, Holyoke has taken ambitious steps to reduce energy use and promote clean energy. In recognition of the city’s efforts in solar energy, energy efficiency, and other areas, Holyoke received the Mayor’s Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June. Towns and cities like Holyoke are leading the way towards a 100 percent renewable energy future. In the coming months, as state leaders grapple with decisions about where Massachusetts’ energy should come from, we hope they will follow the example of local communities across Massachusetts and prioritize clean, local, renewable sources of power. The costs of clean energy sources are rapidly falling. Between 2008 and 2014, the cost of a typical residential solar installation dropped by more than half. By Ben Hellerstein and Alex Morse, MassLive, September 1, 2016. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
New Freshwater Research Collaborative
Helping Mussels
The former national salmon hatchery in Sunderland, now known as the Richard Cronin Aquatic Resource Center, is bustling with activity once again this summer after recent renovations and a new agreement among the University of Massachusetts Amherst and state and federal wildlife agencies to support freshwater research there. Mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the Northeast. Shared conservation interests among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), MassWildlife, and UMass Amherst’s new School of Earth and Sustainability led to a memorandum of understanding signed this year. It means the renovated laboratories will host state, federal, and academic research and education programs involving students from the Five Colleges and others. News from UMass Amherst. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
MassWildlife and MassDOT Work Together
to Help Monarch Butterflies
On August 24, 2016, state wildlife and transportation officials gathered in Plymouth to announce a grant award and partnership that will help restore populations of monarch butterflies and other native and rare pollinating insects in Massachusetts. A $21,500 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will support efforts by MassWildlife and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to increase habitat for pollinating insects by seeding highway median and roadside areas with a mix of milkweed and other native plants for pollinators. This project is part of an ongoing partnership between the two agencies. [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
New report: Cities and towns leading the way towards
100 percent renewable energy
Often, the best ideas for fighting climate change start at the local level. That’s certainly the case here in Massachusetts, where local communities are taking major steps to reduce their energy use and tap into clean energy sources like solar and wind. In August, Environment Massachusetts released a new report, Renewable Communities, highlighting Massachusetts cities and towns that are leading the way towards 100 percent renewable energy. The report includes findings from a survey of the clean energy practices of 191 Massachusetts cities and towns. The report also profiles 17 municipalities that are going above and beyond in their efforts to reduce energy usage and promote clean energy. From Environment Massachusetts [text-blocks id=”26627″ slug=”click-headline-read”]
Jobs
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
8th Annual Northeast Wildlife Trackers Conference
Holyoke leads the way towards 100 percent renewable energy (Guest commentary)
By Ben Hellerstein and Alex Morse
MassLive
September 1, 2016
In recent years, Holyoke has taken ambitious steps to reduce energy use and promote clean energy. In recognition of the city’s efforts in solar energy, energy efficiency, and other areas, Holyoke received the Mayor’s Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June.
Towns and cities like Holyoke are leading the way towards a 100 percent renewable energy future. In the coming months, as state leaders grapple with decisions about where Massachusetts’ energy should come from, we hope they will follow the example of local communities across Massachusetts and prioritize clean, local, renewable sources of power.
The costs of clean energy sources are rapidly falling. Between 2008 and 2014, the cost of a typical residential solar installation dropped by more than half.
Solar power could provide twice as much electricity as Massachusetts uses, and offshore wind projects could handle the state’s electricity demand eleven-fold.
And there’s no question that increasing our use of renewable energy will bring many benefits to Massachusetts. Massachusetts has already experienced the effects of a changing climate, from increasing storm frequency to rising sea levels. We must seriously invest in clean energy sources to reduce our carbon emissions and avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, which opened in one of Holyoke’s former textile mills in 2012, uses renewable energy to run millions of experiments for researchers each month without carbon emissions.
Solar installations, combined with Holyoke’s hydropower resources, bring the city’s electricity sales to more than 85% carbon-free. Holyoke Gas and Electric (HG&E), the municipal utility, has had a major hand in developing 6.3 MW of solar capacity. These solar projects reduce emissions by the equivalent of taking over 1,000 cars off of the road.
The city has also invested in energy efficiency projects, resulting in a 21% decrease in municipal energy load since 2010.
Studies have shown that with current technology, we can get virtually all of the energy that we need from clean, renewable sources like solar and wind.
Yet even with this technology increasingly more available every day, state leaders are considering steps that would delay the transition to clean energy and deepen our dependence on fossil fuels.
Earlier this year, the state cut the value of a key solar program, making it harder for many families to switch to solar power.
What’s more, Governor Charlie Baker’s administration is weighing proposals to build new fossil fuel pipelines, which would keep Massachusetts hooked on dirty energy for decades to come – despite a study from the Attorney General’s office showing that additional gas pipelines are unnecessary to meet Massachusetts’ energy needs.
Now is the time for bold action to repower Massachusetts with clean energy. State leaders should say no to gas pipelines, and yes to renewable, local alternatives.
Fortunately, last month, Governor Baker signed a bill to encourage offshore wind development in areas south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
State officials should build on that action by restoring the full value of solar credits for community and low-income solar projects, to ensure that everyone who wants to switch to solar has the opportunity to do so. And leaders should make ambitious commitments to energy efficiency and new technologies like electric vehicles that will help to reduce emissions from transportation.
Finally, Massachusetts should commit to a goal of getting 100 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources.
For years, communities like Holyoke have led the way towards 100 percent renewable energy. Now, it’s time for state leaders to follow their example.
Ben Hellerstein is the State Director for Environment Massachusetts, and Alex Morse is Mayor of the City of Holyoke.
New Freshwater Research Collaborative
Helping Mussels
News from UMass Amherst
The former national salmon hatchery in Sunderland, now known as the Richard Cronin Aquatic Resource Center, is bustling with activity once again this summer after recent renovations and a new agreement among the University of Massachusetts Amherst and state and federal wildlife agencies to support freshwater research there.
Mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the Northeast. Shared conservation interests among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), MassWildlife, and UMass Amherst’s new School of Earth and Sustainability led to a memorandum of understanding signed this year. It means the renovated laboratories will host state, federal, and academic research and education programs involving students from the Five Colleges and others.
This summer, much of the research focus is on propagation studies for freshwater mussels that will eventually support population augmentation of the federally-endangered dwarf wedgemussel and other state-listed mussel species in the Connecticut River watershed and around the Northeast. Researchers at the center are also propagating the endangered puritan tiger beetle.
The mussels, sometimes referred to as freshwater clams, are filter feeding animals that help to keep the water in marshes, rivers, and ponds clean. They are also an important part of freshwater biodiversity and provide food for many wildlife species including raccoons, otters, herons, and egrets. The Center’s new studies represent the first major effort in the Northeast to propagate threatened mussel species in a laboratory setting.
Mussel propagation is challenging; each mussel species requires a different host fish to grow and multiply. Initial work will focus on identifying requirements including optimum host fish species and ideal feeding regimens. That knowledge will later be useful in raising more sensitive, threatened mussel species.
Peter Hazelton, aquatic ecologist for MassWildlife, coordinates conservation of freshwater mussels and other aquatic species across the state, which includes conducting surveys to determine species distribution and population size. He visits the Sunderland facility periodically to assist with inoculating host fish with microscopic mussel larvae known as glochidia, which spend several weeks of their life cycle attached to the fish. Students working at the Center this summer have been conducting experiments to determine which conditions are optimal for mussel growth and survival, which includes counting glochidia that attach to fish gills before becoming free-living juvenile mussels.
The Sunderland facility started as a state trout hatchery about 60 years ago, and in 1982 ownership was transferred to the USFWS to become a national salmon station and hatchery for Atlantic salmon in the Connecticut River watershed. That program ended in 2012.
Click here for a video showing this exciting research.
MassWildlife and MassDOT Work Together to Help Monarch Butterflies
On August 24, 2016, state wildlife and transportation officials gathered in Plymouth to announce a grant award and partnership that will help restore populations of monarch butterflies and other native and rare pollinating insects in Massachusetts.
A $21,500 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will support efforts by MassWildlife and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to increase habitat for pollinating insects by seeding highway median and roadside areas with a mix of milkweed and other native plants for pollinators. This project is part of an ongoing partnership between the two agencies.
MassDOT will identify suitable post-construction seeding locations and MassWildlife will purchase native seed mixes appropriate for monarchs and other pollinators. The seed mix will include nectar- and pollen-bearing plants that bloom during the optimal time for monarch migration and provide food for other pollinating insects. To accommodate bloom times, MassDOT will reduce mowing of seeded areas to once every 2-3 years. The resulting roadside meadows will be marked with signage to publicize their significance. To increase public awareness about the importance of pollinators, MassWildlife will create a pollinator demonstration plot at its Field Headquarters on the Wayne F. MacCallum Wildlife Management Area in Westborough.
Scientific surveys and data collection have found that the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has experienced significant population declines throughout its range in the past decade. Monarchs and other insects require specific food and larval host plants, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss or degradation. In the Northeast, loss of meadow habitat that supports milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.), the only plant on which female monarchs lay their eggs and the hatched larvae feed, has contributed to the butterfly’s decline. The lack of flowering plants and meadow habitats, in general, has also negatively affected other state-listed (rare) insects that depend on pollen and nectar. To enhance and increase habitat benefitting monarchs and other pollinators within the East Coast Migration Corridor, scientists recommend creating and seeding meadow habitats with native wildflowers and grasses and reducing mowing.
“Pollinators and their habitats play an important ecological and agricultural role in Massachusetts,” said Jack Buckley, MassWildlife Director. “This interagency project will improve conditions of common and rare pollinators and their habitats and serve as a model and visual reminder to other Massachusetts land owners that by implementing simple landscape maintenance practices, they can improve the ecological value of our lands.”
The pollinator project is part of a broader partnership between MassDOT and MassWildlife called Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife. Established in 2008, this partnership aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and identify areas where habitats impacted by roads can be enhanced, protected, or restored for wildlife. It is also intended to streamline regulatory environmental reviews and collaborate on environmental issues during early stages of transportation planning and design work, and to implement wildlife and transportation research initiatives. For additional information on the “Linking Landscapes” partnership, visit www.linkinglandscapes.info.
New report: Cities and towns leading the way towards 100 percent renewable energy
from Environment Massachusetts
Often, the best ideas for fighting climate change start at the local level. That’s certainly the case here in Massachusetts, where local communities are taking major steps to reduce their energy use and tap into clean energy sources like solar and wind.
In August, Environment Massachusetts released a new report, Renewable Communities, highlighting Massachusetts cities and towns that are leading the way towards 100 percent renewable energy.
The report includes findings from a survey of the clean energy practices of 191 Massachusetts cities and towns. The report also profiles 17 municipalities that are going above and beyond in their efforts to reduce energy usage and promote clean energy.
Of the cities and towns that responded to the survey:
- 42.9 percent have installed solar panels on at least one municipal building or property.
- 88.0 percent have completed an energy audit, and more than two-thirds have taken steps like replacing old lighting fixtures with high-efficiency fluorescent or LED fixtures, installing high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, and installing occupancy sensors to automatically turn lights on and off as needed.
- 20.4 percent have installed electric vehicle charging stations that are open to the public, and 31.4 percent have adopted pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly policies.
Renewable Communities includes more than 20 recommended actions that cities and towns can take to reduce fossil fuel use and increase clean energy production in municipal facilities, homes, and businesses. We’re excited to share these recommendations with local officials across the state and advocate for more clean energy action at the local level.
Jobs
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
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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.
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: