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Vernal Pools workshops
BEAT's Vernal Pools workshops will be held Saturday, April 16th from 2-4:30 pm, and repeated Friday, April 22 (Earth Day), also from 2-4:30 pm. We will start indoors, probably at Berkshire Community College’s Hoffmann Environmental Center Room R101 (see map). We'll run through slides of all the "obligate" amphibians, their eggs, and other evidence to certify vernal pools - and briefly what it takes to certify a pool - then we will carpool to a pair of vernal pools that in years past have had spotted and Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs, and fairy shrimp. If you haven’t already, please let Jane know if you plan on attending either workshop.
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Forum on Wind Turbines
The Berkshire-Litchfield Environmental Council (BLEC) will hold an informational forum on commercial-scale wind turbines, April 16, 2011, at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Co-sponsors include the Housatonic Valley Association, Audubon/Sharon, Housatonic Environmental Action League, Housatonic Riverkeeper, Housatonic River Initiative, the Northwest Conservation District, and Green Berkshires.
Confirmed speakers are:
- keynote, Albert M. Manville, II, Ph.D. Senior Wildlife Biologist, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to discuss bird and bat deaths near wind turbines and current federal recommendations for tower siting/mitigation;
- Madga Havas, Ph.D., professor of biology, Trent University, Canada, regarding unintended environmental couplings of electromagnetic fields from wind turbines and their implications for humans and wildlife;
- Helen Parker, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and former supervisory faculty member of the University of Virginia Medical School, to discuss wind turbine syndrome from low frequency environmental infrasound;
- David McGlinchey, Senior Program Leader on Energy and Environment at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in Massachusetts to discuss the larger role of wind in national energy needs; and
- Eleanor Tillinghast, Green Berkshires, to discuss general siting concerns.
Sample planning and zoning regulations will be available, with ample time for Q&A.
Also invited are:
- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal on the balance between energy independence and environmental protection;
- CT Attorney General George Jepsen on the need for wind turbine regulation;
- John Fonfara, CT Senate Co-chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee; and
- CT Senator Andrew Roraback and CT House Representative Roberta Willis on legislative initiatives.
Some of the issues to be addressed include:
- Where is wind generation most appropriate?
- What is the real risk/benefit ratio of wind turbines? Does that ratio change in regions with less wind?
- What are the adverse effects to humans and other species from turbine spinning, increased ground current, low frequency sound, vibration, and light flicker to humans and other species, especially birds and bats?
- Are inland/wetland habitats more vulnerable with sentinel species like turtles, amphibians and fish?
- What about structural failure, fire, and ice throw? Are concerns primarily one of scale? Are some windmill designs better than others?
- What are reasonable ways to mitigate, legislate, and anticipate such problems? And what is happening at the federal, state, and local levels?
"Other areas are far ahead of us on this," said BLEC President, Starling W. Childs. "Connecticut is seeing applications for industrial-scale wind turbines for the first time. Everyone is for renewable energy but with fast moving structures that can top 500 feet, caution and intelligent siting become critical."
BLEC is a 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit. Admission is $5.00 at the door, tax deductible. For more information, contact B. Blake Levitt, mailto:blakelevit@cs.com, or Starling Childs, eecostar@aol.com or visit http://www.berklitchfieldenviro.org/
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News on Environmental Budget Cuts
from Mass Audubon's Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
A recent report by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center details the impacts of budget cuts on all sectors of government, including the environment. Major cuts include a $15.6 million decrease in state parks funding and $10.3 million cut from the Department of Environmental Protection administrative account. Overall environmental programs have taken a $45 million hit when comparing the Governor’s proposed FY2012 budget to the FY2009 General Appropriations Act.
"As a society, we have to do a better job of keeping our house in order. Staff in the environmental agencies did just that - helped make sure that our collective house was a clean and healthy place to live. We need them back," said Jennifer Ryan, Mass Audubon's legislative director.
For more information on environmental cuts, read the report
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Community Preservation Act (CPA) Hearing Date Set
from Mass Audubon's Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup
One of Mass Audubon’s priority bills is up for a hearing!
From the Community Preservation Coalition, of which Mass Audubon is a founding member :
In a clear sign of the momentum building on Beacon Hill for An Act to Sustain Community Preservation (SB 1841/HB 765), the bill has been granted an early hearing date - Wednesday, April 13th. We realize that it may be difficult for Community Preservation Act (CPA) advocates to attend on such short notice, so our focus will be on generating a large volume of written testimony in the next 7 days.
Please follow these easy steps to submit testimony to the legislature in support of CPA:
- Send your testimony before April 13, 2011. If you cannot make this important deadline, the Committee will still appreciate receiving your testimony shortly after the hearing.
- Here is a sample testimony outline, or feel free to compose your own (here are some talking points).
- Address the testimony to:
- Joint Committee on Community Development & Small Business
- House Committee Chair Linda Dorcena Forry
- Senate Committee Chair Sal DiDomenico
- State House, Boston MA 02133
- Email the testimony to all of the following:
If you'd like to attend the hearing, call 617-367-8998 for all the details. Thank you for your support of CPA!
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Senator Brown voted against clean air
From the League of Conservation Voters:
The good news is that all four reckless anti-clean air amendments failed to get a majority of the vote in the U.S. Senate yesterday.
The bad news is that Senator Brown chose to stand with big polluters – voting to protect polluter profits and weaken public health protections.
Big Oil, Dirty Coal and other dirty energy interests are working hard to block, weaken and delay vital clean air standards. Lawmakers who stand with these polluters put public health - the very air our families breathe - in danger.
Our environment is too important to hand over to big polluters and their congressional allies. Yet the fight to protect clean air will surely continue as evidenced by those in Congress who have vowed continued attacks on the environment and the EPA.
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Region’s Old Nuclear Plants Must Comply with Latest Safety Regs, or Shut Down
In conjunction with a Massachusetts legislative hearing held today on nuclear power in New England, and with the Fukushima debacle still unfolding in Japan, Conservation Law Foundatin President John Kassel prevailed upon state and federal leaders to answer this wake-up call and take appropriate measures to avoid a similar crisis in New England or anywhere in the United States.
“Several of New England’s remaining nuclear power plants are on their last legs and continuing to prop them up at the taxpayers’ expense is not a viable long-term strategy,” Kassel said. “In the interest of public safety, these aging plants must comply with the latest safety standards within six months, or shut down. In addition, plant owners need to take immediate steps – at their expense – to better secure the radioactive waste now stored at these facilities. The notion that new nuclear power plants should be a cornerstone of our national energy policy is grossly irresponsible as long as there is no solution to the radioactive waste problem.” More >
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The world powered by alternative energy, using today's technology, in 20-40 years
Stanford Report, January 26, 2011
BY LOUIS BERGERON
A new study – co-authored by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson and UC-Davis researcher Mark A. Delucchi – analyzing what is needed to convert the world's energy supplies to clean and sustainable sources says that it can be done with today's technology at costs roughly comparable to conventional energy. But converting will be a massive undertaking on the scale of the moon landings. What is needed most is the societal and political will to make it happen. <MORE>
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USF study concludes that common fungicide is deadly to frogs. Two years ago some University of South Florida researchers began studying the effects of chlorothalonil, the most widely used fungicide in the country, on four species of frogs. Turns out it's also a pretty effective frog-icide. St. Petersburg Times, Florida. More...
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Surprise studies show atrazine, long known to affect frogs, affects people too!.
Researchers in France report that babies born to women who had measureable levels of atrazine and its metabolites in their urine during pregnancy were lighter, shorter and had smaller heads than babies born to women who were not exposed. The risk of fetal growth restriction was 50 percent higher among babies born to women with detectable atrazine levels. Researchers also noted a 40% increased risk of genital malformations, although this was based on a small sample size. More...
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Adopt a Tree Northampton
The Northampton Tree Committee (NTC), in recognition of Arbor Day, will distribute approximately 120 street trees to Northampton residents on Saturday, April 30th, from 9:00a.m. to noon at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, located at 80 Locust Street.
The goal of the program is to have the trees planted near the public way or within public view. It is essential that trees not be planted under utility wires. Twelve different species—all on the NTC’s pre-approved species list—will be available. The trees will be in large seven to ten gallon containers.
On the day of the giveaway, residents who receive a tree will be required to attend a tree planting demonstration conducted by Alan Snow—Community Action Forester with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the tree warden in Amherst. John Kelly, agricultural coordinator/lands manager at Smith Vocational and Agricultural high school and his students will be assisting the NTC by receiving and storing the trees and helping with tree distribution on April 30th.
To receive a free tree, individuals and families must register by April 20 at www.ntcfreetree.eventbrite.com. Please provide name, address, contact information, approximate location where a tree will be planted and whether power lines exist over the property. If residents would like a tree but do not have Internet access, they may mail their information to the Northampton Tree Committee, 125 Locust St. Northampton, MA 01060. Interested residents are encouraged to sign up soon, as a limited number of trees are available and they will be assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Questions about the program can be e-mailed to nohotrees@gmail.com
The grant awarded to the city is an Urban and Community Forestry National Grid Partnership grant through the DCR. The funds for the trees were provided by National Grid after the company completed extensive hazardous tree removal in ward seven.
The Northampton Tree Committee is pleased to have this opportunity to improve the environment and enhance the livability of Northampton by distributing over one hundred trees of diverse species to local residents.
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Community Guide to Growing Greener
The Massachusetts Watershed Coalition (MWC) has just released A Community Guide to Growing Greener. It is available for free download from MWC's website: www.commonwaters.org. These practical guidelines explain how low impact practices and better site design will help communities grow greener and fix stormwater problems. Its information is easy to understand and apply for many types of proposed development projects.
The Guide to Growing Greener was created with the help of community boards in Hubbardston, Leominster, Rutland, Sterling and Westminster. Several communities have adopted this guidance, which does not add regulations but will help town boards and builders to achieve more sustainable development.
The Coalition will host free workshops in Leominster on May 19 to discuss the Guide, better site design for natural resource protection and stormwater management. Stay tuned for more information.
The Guide was created with support from Constellation Energy, The Country Hen of Hubbardston and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
Debbie Shriver
Project Coordinator
c/o Massachusetts Watershed Coalition
325 Lindell Avenue
Leominster, MA 01453
mwc@commonwaters.org, debbieshriver@gmail.com
Office 978.534.0379
Home 413.665.8142
Mobile 413.695.3519
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EPA Seeks Comments on Draft Document on “Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches”
from Water Headlines for the week of April 11, 2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments on a recently released draft technical document titled “Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches.” This draft technical document provides the basis for implementing the Agency’s Healthy Watersheds Initiative, which, in partnership with states, tribes, local governments, nongovernmental organizations and others, is intended to protect the nation’s remaining healthy watersheds, prevent them from becoming impaired, and accelerate restoration successes. The Healthy Watersheds approach, as part of the initiative, is based on a holistic, integrated, systems view of aquatic ecosystems that acknowledges their dynamics and interconnectivity in the landscape.
The draft technical document includes an overview of the key concepts behind the Healthy Watersheds approach, examples of assessments of healthy watershed components, an integrated assessment framework for identifying healthy watersheds, examples of management approaches, sources of national data and key assessment tools. It contains numerous examples and case studies from across the country. The intended audience and potential beneficiaries of this document include aquatic resource scientists and managers at the state, tribal, regional and local levels, non-governmental organizations and federal agencies. Local government land use managers and planners may also benefit as they develop protection priorities.
EPA is seeking comments on this draft document until June 3, 2011. For more information and the draft document please visit: www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds.
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HooRWA seeks executive director
The Hoosic River Watershed Association seeks an Executive Director to help lead us in our initiatives as the steward for the watershed. The ideal candidate will be an energetic and dynamic leader who is comfortable representing HooRWA, whether it’s speaking at public meetings or wading in the river to help school children identify river life. An ecology, environmental or science background is ideal but not required; the Executive Director must have a strong interest in river protection, advocacy and recreation. Other desired skills are grant writing, non-profit management, web site development, and excellent communication skills to work with a variety of constituencies, including board members, state and federal officials, college professors, local school educators, scientists, HooRWA members, and the general public. Since the Hoosic watershed encompasses Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, it is necessary to deal with planners and government officials in three states, and a focus will be to expand our membership and programs to all areas of the watershed.
The Executive Director would be charged with developing partnerships with other similar non-profits, corporate sponsors, and state and federal agencies, and to assist with various HooRWA fundraising efforts.
Among our current projects are a dam removal on a tributary of the South Branch, a partnership with the Hoosic River Revival to mitigate the impact of the flood control chutes in North Adams, macroinvertebrate monitoring, development of a Greenway along the river in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., creation of a portage trail at the North Pownal dam and education programs in local schools.
The director will also assist in planning and coordinating our two signature fundraising events – RiverFest in May and the Hoosic Bike Ride in August.
The position is half-time (20 hours/week) with no health insurance benefits. We offer a competitive salary, two weeks’ paid vacation and a flexible work schedule.
Interested applicants should e-mail a resume and letter of interest to office@hoorwa.org, with “executive director search” in the subject line. This is an ongoing application process and review of resumes will continue until the position is filled.
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The 2011 Kodak American Greenways Awards
Do you know an organization that is working to create or improve a greenway, trail or waterway? Apply for a Kodak American Greenways Award grant, and your organization could receive up to $2,500 in grant funds and recognition that comes with selection by this prestigious national program.
The Eastman Kodak Company, The Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society team up each year to present the Kodak American Greenways Awards Program. One major element of the Program involves "seed" grant awards to organizations that are growing our nation's network of greenways, blueways, trails and natural areas. These projects connect Americans to the outdoors and their heritage.
For 2011, the Program anticipates awarding up to fifty percent of the grants to those greenways projects that demonstrate the convergence of economic prosperity and the environment. The vitality of a community depends not only on its economic prospects but also on the quality of its natural environment and outdoor recreational space. Previous recipients have undertaken projects that included the design of a water trail and tourism guide in Columbia, NC; the conversion of an abandoned rail line into a multi-use public trail along the historic Mission Zanja irrigation canal; planting flowers along a community trail to brighten an impoverished neighborhood of Los Angeles; and creating a county-wide greenway and tourism plan in Joe Daviess County, IL.
Please see the application at http://grants.conservationfund.org for full details and to apply for consideration of your greenway project for Kodak American Greenway Award funding.
This year's application deadline is June 15th. Most grants range from $500 to $1,000. The maximum grant is $2,500.
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1-Day Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Workshops - throughout MA
From the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
• Saturday, April 16th - Wrentham
• Saturday, April 23rd - Ashburnham
• Saturday, April 30th - Wellfleet
• Saturday, May 7th - Sturbridge
• Saturday, May 14th - Carlisle
Tired of seeing silt fence flapping in the breeze? What is a straw wattle used for? Ever wonder how to require or select appropriate erosion control devices for a site? MACC will answer these questions and more in our workshops on Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) especially for Conservation Commissioners and Inspectors.
Cost: FREE for Conservation Commissioners and other local, state and federal agency staff. $85 for private consultants and non-regulators who are MACC Members and $100 for non-members.
PDUs: Six Professional Development Units available.
Refreshments will be provided; lunch is available for $7.00. A site visit to an active construction site will be included. Please dress for the weather.
For detailed information and to register, see ESC WORKSHOPS
Topics will include:
• Soil erosion process: factors and impacts
• ESC regulations and jurisdiction
• Best Management Practices
• Site visit to view ESC applications
Note: MACC will schedule additional ESC workshops in May and June throughout the state - additional dates and locations coming soon.
MACC Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners
From the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
Whether you’re a new recruit to your Commission or a long-serving veteran wanting a refresher course, consider taking one or more units of MACC’s Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners this spring. Six of the eight units will be offered in April at the Middleborough Town Hall. Visit FUNDAMENTALS for complete course descriptions and registration information.
Scholarships available to MACC members through MACC's Fawcett Fund
From the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
Short on funds for MACC Fundamentals? MACC is offering competitive scholarships through our Frederick J. Fawcett II Education Fund to MACC members who, because of financial hardship, are not able to attend MACC training programs, workshops or conferences. Please complete an application to attend a Fundamentals Unit at no cost. Applications for scholarships to attend Fundamentals Units in Middleborough must be submitted by April 12, 2011; to attend Fundamentals Units in Harvard, applications must be submitted by May 9, 2011.
How to apply
Download an application form and email to: lindsay.martucci@maccweb.org Fax: 617-489-3935 or Mail: MACC, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478
Donate now to the Fawcett Fund
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Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife - Ecology of Trees & Our Waterways
“Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife - Ecology of Trees & Our Waterways” will be held Monday, May 2nd at 6:30pm at Berkshire Community College. The Appalachian Mountain Club and the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration/Riverways Program will give a workshop on what should be done about large branches and trees lying in a river. What should be done about trees lying in a river? Should they be removed, pruned, relocated, or left undisturbed? What are the safety considerations? What is the appropriate balance between the competing desires of canoeists, kayakers, and other boaters who seek easy access; the interests of property owners concerned about flood drainage and a ‘tidy’ appearance; and the needs of fish, mammals, amphibians, insects and birds for adequate food, nesting, and cover? What is “large woody debris” in rivers, and how does it improve water quality and control flooding downstream? Join us for answers to these questions as well as to learn about native species that are suitable for planting in riparian areas. There will be ample time for questions and discussion with Russ Cohen of Riverways and Mike Gildesgame of AMC.
This event is sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration/Riverways Program, and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) as a kick-off to HVA’a Source-to-Sound Paddle Trip May 3-12. You can view Russ’ YouTube video to get an idea of what we'll be talking about on May 2 at AMC's "Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife" web page.
Join us on May 2nd at 6:30 at Berkshire Community College, Room K-111, Koussevitsky Arts Center, 1350 West St, Pittsfield, MA. See the map for directions.
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Apply for Year IV TogetherGreen Funding
TogetherGreen is currently accepting applications for its fourth year. Have a great idea about a new way of practicing conservation? Want to engage new and diverse audiences in your environmental work? Apply for a Fellowship or an Innovation Grant today!
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TogetherGreen Conservation Fellowships
Forty promising individuals will be chosen for their leadership, skills, and commitment to engaging people of diverse backgrounds in conservation action. Fellows will receive a $10,000 grant to conduct a project in their community, as well as specialized training and support to help shape and implement their projects. Visit www.togethergreen.org/fellows for application guidelines, benefits, and an online application. Apply today for the chance to become part of a dynamic alumni network of conservation professionals from across the country!
TogetherGreen Innovation Grants
Your project could be one of the 40 or more that will receive TogetherGreen funding. Grants ranging from $5,000-$80,000 enable Audubon groups and their partners to engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action and create healthier communities. Visit www.togethergreen.org/grants for application guidelines, benefits, and an online application.
Since the program's inception in 2008, more than 135,000 individuals have participated in community-based TogetherGreen projects in 49 states and more than 150 cities around the country. Thanks to Toyota's support, more than 250 environmental projects have received TogetherGreen funding totaling more than $4.7 million.
The deadline to apply for both the TogetherGreen Fellowship program and the Innovation Grants program is 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 2, 2011. Fellowship and Grant applicants will be notified in July 2011 and August 2011 respectively.
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