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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators) DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire return to top |
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Lenox Office to Host Green Day March 17th Lenox, Mass. – The Lenox office of Legacy Banks, located at 25 Main Street Lenox, will celebrate Green Day on St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday March 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Green Day, members of the community are invited to bring in old ink cartridges and cell phones, which Legacy Banks will collect and dispose of in an environmentally safe manner. The Center for Ecological Technology in Pittsfield has volunteered to dispose of the ink cartridges, and Legacy Banks will donate the cell phones to organizations that assist those in need. Additionally, Legacy Banks invites the public to bring in any documents they would like to have shredded so that unneeded personal information may be destroyed and the paper may be properly recycled. Those who bring recycled materials to the Lenox Office on Green Day will receive a green reusable shopping bag (while supplies last). Also, everyone who visits the office will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a paper shredder. For more information, contact the Legacy Banks Lenox Main Street office at 800-292-6634. |
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Bay State Bike Week: May 17-21 |
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Healthy Home Tips: Get rid of that (toxic) dust Chances are you have a dust bunny (or two) in your house. We all do! For many, they are the visible reminder that it's time to clean. But dust isn't just unsightly, it's usually toxic. Just do it: Get rid of those toxic dust bunnies It's no fun when people remind you to clean, is it? Instead, we aim to inspire you to clean. In this month's Healthy Home Tip you'll learn: Why your dust is toxic Go ahead, start dust busting! It's an easy and effective way to reduce the toxins in your home -- especially since cleaning the house was probably already on your "to-do" list. Producing top-notch research and helpful tips is important -- and costly -- work. A donation from supporters like you ensures that we can continue sharing this important information. Please donate today. We look forward to talking with you in a month when we discuss our next Healthy Home Tip: Use greener cleaners and don't use pesticides. Thanks for reading! |
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Sustainable Water Management Initiative Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles has established the Sustainable Water Management Advisory Committee comprised of a wide range of stakeholders and staffed by environmental agencies from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Working with the Water Management Act Advisory Committee and the Water Resources Commission, the Advisory Committee will advise EEA and its agencies on the development of a water allocation program that examines contributing causes and solutions to satisfying water needs while recognizing ecological issues such as low stream flow. |
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Shifts Focus to Climate Change for FY2011 ELM is the Massachusetts Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. The following information was provided by NWF's Washington staff. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is gearing up for fiscal 2011 with a priority shift: namely, more attention and funds dedicated to climate change research and management. The budget does reflect a switch in our priorities, said Chris Nolin, head of the service's budget division. Our primary focus is reorienting the agency so we can address climate change. We need to start looking at climate change in everything we do. That was really the focus of this budget. The strategic investments this budget makes will allow us to continue to work with our partners to build the capacity we need to tackle climate change and other future challenges, added FWS Director Sam Hamilton. The agency's $1.65 billion discretionary budget plan for the coming fiscal year includes increases of $18.8 million for Climate Change Adaptation, $4 million for the review of planned renewable energy development to ensure they do not place threatened species in harms way, as well as $15.8 million for ecosystem restoration and $20 million for federal land acquisition. For more info, click here. Read the press release. |
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2010 Season at Garden in the WoodsFramingham, MA - New England Wild Flower Society announced today the 2010 season opening date is April 15 for the Society’s 45-acre botanic museum Garden in the Woods. The closing date for the season is October 31. In 2010, the theme for activities and education at Garden in the Woods is “Growing Communities: Native Plants and People.” The Garden serves as a living laboratory for conservation, horticulture, and education. Growing “communities” speaks to the heart of all three. The Society’s conservation efforts strive to preserve individual native plant species and build communities of these plants in healthy habitats. Horticultural efforts seek to create sustainable communities of plants or “gardens”, using fewer resources to keep gardens beautiful and thriving. Education programs serve communities of learners of all ages, providing awareness and appreciation of native plants. People are key to the successful growing of any community, including native plants. People come to Garden in the Woods for many reasons . . . a relaxing walk in the woods, a glimpse of the many blooming plants every colorful season, an educational experience in conservation or horticulture, a check for what is missing in one’s home garden, or to de-stress after a heavy work week. In 2010, visitors have opportunities to learn about New England’s native plants through daily, guided walking tours at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 2 p.m. weekends; new audio tours which can be downloaded from the Society’s website and brought to the Garden or studied at home; stronger interpretive signage; and cart tours for visitors needing mobility assistance. The Society will also have the first sections of its “Go Botany” project online at the “Tree-ask”, where students of all ages can develop skills in identifying trees. Answering a series of questions, the “student” narrows the search and finds the answer to “what tree is this?” New Garden signage interprets each garden area for both design and the underlying conservation principles. The Idea Garden provides an exploration of container gardening, green roofs, lawn alternatives, edible native species, and more. Throughout Garden in the Woods, native plant species have their own signage which indicates whether they are rare and endangered. The New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants offers a collection of rarely seen native plant species and an Invasive Plant Jail. Invasive plants threaten the integrity of both home and natural environments. Japanese barberry, burning bush, yellow flag iris, oriental bittersweet, and others have invaded New England with few natural controls like predatory insects to hold them in check. Learn about native alternatives to these invasive plant “bullies.” Educational programs serve pre-schoolers through retirees. Come for a tour, a class, or a workshop on topics ranging from container gardening with native plants to wetland delineation. Visit newenglandwild.org/learn for a full listing and a downloadable catalog. Special Events Garden in the Woods offers special events each season. Earth Day, Saturday, April 24, 2010 with free admission, is full of fun family activities including
This year we honor trees for the role they play in our ecosystems. Special tree-themed events are scheduled between noon and 4 p.m. The Society celebrates “Hiawatha Day” in collaboration with Longfellow's Wayside Inn and the BIG READ program, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, with special events at Garden in the Woods, Sunday, May 2, 2010, between 1 and 4 p.m., including
Regular admission fees apply for this event. Other special celebrations at Garden in the Woods include National Public Gardens Day, Mother’s Day, Conservation Day, and more. Check newenglandwild.org/calendar for updates throughout the season. Every day at Garden in the Woods is special and different since there is a constant change of plants blooming throughout the growing season. Founded in 1900, New England Wild Flower Society, the nation’s oldest native plant conservation organization, promotes the conservation of temperate North American flora through education, habitat preservation, horticulture, research, and advocacy. The Society was founded by a group of women who wished to stop the over-collection of native plants from their natural habitats. Plant poachers were threatening the survival of many beloved native plants in the wild, including Massachusetts' state flower, the trailing arbutus or mayflower. The Society currently owns and operates Garden in the Woods, the 45-acre public botanic garden in Framingham, MA; and Nasami Farm, the 75-acre native plant nursery and sanctuary in Whately, MA, as well as eight other sanctuaries located in New England. The Society’s vision is a future where vigorous native plant populations live in healthy, balanced, natural ecosystems—protected, enjoyed, and beneficial to all life. For more information, visit www.newenglandwild.org. Standing Information: Framingham, MA – Garden in the Woods, New England Wild Flower Society’s 45-acre botanical museum with over 1,000 native plant species and the unique New England Rare and Endangered Plant Garden, is open to the public from April 15 to October 31, 2010. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday plus holiday Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours are scheduled Thursday and Friday evenings until 7 p.m. April 15 through July 4. Admission fees for adults $8; seniors (65+) $6; students (with student ID) $6; youths (3-18) $4; children under 3 free. Members admitted free. Informal guided walking tours for individuals are included in Garden admission fees and are conducted Tuesdays through Fridays and holiday Mondays at 10 a.m. and on weekends at 2 p.m. Special tours for adult groups are available by reservation only. Special tours for children’s groups can be arranged for school and scout groups and scheduled Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our tours visit the natural woodland, several habitats, a meadow, brook areas, and a vernal pool. The main buildings, entry gardens, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Golf cart tours for visitors needing mobility assistance at the Garden can be arranged for visits, scheduled Tuesday through Friday afternoons. For more information and reservations for adult tours, children’s group tours, and golf cart tours, contact Bonnie Drexler, bdrexler@newenglandwild.org, or call (508) 877-7630, ext. 3302. TTY: (508) 877-6553 |
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2010 Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference Massachusetts is proud to host the 2010 Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference. The event will be held September 12-15 at UMass Amherst. Here is the "Call for Presenters". Please pass it along to everyone that you think may be interested. Thank you, |
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Cool Tools to Protect Wetlands, Water Resources, and Wildlife Habitat Berkshire Conservation Commissioners, and others interested in wetlands, water resources, wildlife and habitat: February 3, 2010 meeting notes
BCCG on the web: http://berkshireplanning.org/environment/bccg |
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Environmental Educator needed WestSide Farm Project |
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Job Posting: Restoration Ecologist - MA Division of Ecological Restoration The MA Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) seeks qualified applicants for a Restoration Ecologist / Project Manager position. The position is housed at the DER offices in Boston, MA and supports habitat restoration projects throughout the Commonwealth. The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration is to restore and protect the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people, fish, and wildlife. DER is a division of the MA Department of Fish and Game. The official job posting can be viewed via the web page link below: https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/31100001/job/job_view.do?postingId=J20363 NOTE: The official web page job posting incorrectly states the application deadline as 3/18/2010. The correct deadline is 3/26/2010. An unofficial copy of the job posting is included below with further details and application instructions. Click this link to visit DER’s web site: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/index.htm. -Hunt Restoration Ecologist
This position is funded from the Commonwealth's capital budget. Duties: Manage assigned aquatic habitat restoration projects Qualifications: MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Preferred Qualifications: Comments: This is a Civil Service position. The Restoration Ecologist / Project Manager oversees aquatic habitat restoration project development, implementation, and monitoring. Position requires frequent in-state travel to conduct field work and collaborate with partners. Occasional attendance at night meetings is also required. How To Apply: All applications must be made in writing, consisting of a cover letter making specific reference to this particular announcement and Posting ID J20363, a current resume with references, and a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Application for Employment form, which can be found on the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs web site at http://www.state.ma.us/envir/, select the Application for Employment link under Key Resources at the bottom left of the page, or you may request a copy be sent to you. All applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Friday March 26th. Diversity Officer: Mr. Peter Burke, (617) 626-1562 |
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MASS. LAND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE SPECIAL! |
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