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Gardening Organically & Community Gardens Registration
Sponsored by Pleasant Valley
Program Location: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Instructor: Diane Wetzel, Sanctuary Volunteer and Master Gardener
Program Audience: Adult
Program Date(s) and Time(s): Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
All new participants in the Community Gardens Project must register for this program in order to garden at the Community Gardens. It is also strongly recommended as a refresher for those who have not participated in the program in several years. Diane Wetzel, master gardener and a community gardener herself, will share information about the benefits of organic gardening and impart practical information on how to incorporate this approach. Those who have attended this program in the past may register for a garden by mail but are encouraged to attend the session as well.
Instructions and Directions: This program is free for those registering for the Canoe Meadows Community Gardens Project.
Registration is required, unless otherwise noted.
Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries
Massachusetts Audubon Society
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-0320
www.massaudubon.org
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The VINS/SCA Environmental Science Research Program is open to research institutions including universities and non-profit organizations in the Northeast, and the deadline has been extended to 3/16.
http://www.vinsweb.org/programs/2008VINSFellows.html
Please forward to those who would like to apply. The Fellowship was established in 2007 to support field research in the conservation, biological, and ecological sciences, and to nurture growth of the field as a whole. To be eligible for a Fellowship, applicants must be sponsored by an established environmental research organization for work in a science research project managed by that organization.
The 2008 Fellowship awardees included two undergraduate students and one high school student.
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Proposed US EPA Budget Largest Ever
EPA "Back on the Job"
The Obama administration yesterday proposed a budget of $10.5 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the largest in the agency's 39-year history. The increase of $3 billion from 2008 funding levels will further ensure the protection of public health and the environment for all Americans. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said: 'With these proposed resources, and the president's strong environmental agenda, it should be overwhelmingly clear that EPA is back on the job.'
"The president's budget proposes critical resources to protect the American people and the places where they live, work and play," Jackson said. "We are no longer faced with the false choice of a strong economy or a clean environment. The president's budget shows that making critical and responsible investments in protecting the health and environment of all Americans will also lead to a more vibrant and stable economy."
Last week, President Obama announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $7.22 billion for EPA-administered projects and programs to protect human health and the environment.
Some key highlights of 2010 budget initiatives include:
$3.9 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants to support approximately 1,000 clean water projects and 700 drinking water projects - this year's largest single investment. In addition to the funds recently invested through the ARRA, this funding is a critical step in addressing the water infrastructure needs in thousands of communities across the country. EPA will work with state and local partners to develop a sustainability policy, including management and pricing, conservation, security and a plan for adequate long-term state and municipal funding for future capital needs.
A new $475 million, multi-agency Great Lakes Initiative to protect the world's largest fresh water resource. EPA will coordinate with federal partners, states, tribes, localities and other entities to protect, maintain and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of the lakes. EPA and its partners will address invasive species, non-point source pollution, habitat restoration, contaminated sediment and other critical issues.
A $19 million increase for the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and related activities that will provide data critical for implementing a comprehensive climate change bill. EPA's funding for climate change investments is the foundation for working with key stakeholders and Congress to develop an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions approximately 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
Strengthening EPA's core research, enforcement and regulatory capabilities. The budget request also proposes reinstating the Superfund excise taxes that expired. Reinstating the Superfund taxes would collect over $1 billion annually to fund the cleanup of the nation's most contaminated sites.
More information on EPA's FY 2010 budget request: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/
Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-7873/ 4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
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The Worcester County Conservation District is pleased to announce the
annual Seedling Sale. The seedling brochure is now available online at
www.seedlingsale.org.
In response to the Asian Long-Horned Beetle and Ice Storm, the sale
offers many trees and shrubs suitable to replace those lost or damaged.
Choose from a variety of evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs, many
at $1.00 per seedling. The Winter Survival Pack includes five excellent
species that will support displaced wildlife. Perennials, edibles, herbs
and garden products are also available.
The sale runs through March 27, 2009, with a pick-up date of May 2, 2009.
There are six pick-up locations to choose from:
- Sholan Farms, Leominster;
- Dunn Pond State Park, Gardener;
- Blackstone River & Canal Park, Uxbridge;
- Cooper's Dairy Farm, Rochdale;
- Davidian Brothers Farm, Northborough;
- Jordan Dairy Farm, Rutland.
Please call to have a brochure mailed to you. We are available to answer
any questions landowners may have with regards to replanting,
(508) 829-0168 x131 or x193 or email: Liane.crane@ma.usda.gov.
The Massachusetts Watershed Coalition
....Creating a Network of Watershed Partners.
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Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund
The Berkshire Environmental Endowment (BEE) Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has allocated its grantmaking dollars this year to support nonprofit Berkshire County organizations applying to the Massachusetts SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees for the second round of funding. We hope to assist organizations with eligible projects to submit well-prepared applications for this extraordinary funding opportunity.
Laura Wildman of the Princeton Hydro company will lead the consulting effort. Ms. Wildman has twenty years of experience managing river restoration projects and has reviewed grant applications for the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program Project Grants.
The format of the consultation will depend on the number of nonprofit organizations that come forward to participate. Please contact Maeve O'Dea, Program Director at maeve@berkshiretaconic.org to indicate your interest in participation by 5:00 p.m. March 13th.
For more information on the Massachusetts SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees application process, visit http://www.ma-housatonicrestoration.org/
February 25, 2009
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
271 Main Street, Suite 3, Great Barrington, MA 01230-1972
t: 413.528.8039 f: 413.528.8158 info@berkshiretaconic.org www.berkshiretaconic.org
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Event: Cabin Fever Fundraiser, Thursday March 12th, 5 ~ 8 pm
At Crissey Farm, 426 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington.
Lasagna ($10), Chicken Stir fry $12, children ($5)
Homespun Raffle! Silent Auction! Folk & Jazz Music!
2009 Lake Mansfield Slideshow Celebration!
A joyful community evening, all are welcome.
All funds raised are used toward improvements in the Lake Mansfield Recreation Area.
Sponsor: Lake Mansfield Alliance
Contact:
Christine Ward
LMA ~ GB Trails ~ At home and on the job...
413.329.5809
29 Castle Hill Avenue
Great Barrington MA 01230
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NRCS Announces Sign-up for Landowner Programs
Sign-up is underway for federal conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill, including the EQUIP, WHIP, and Wetlands Reserve programs. Applications for Farm Bill conservation programs may be submitted at any time, but May 1, 2009 is the cut-off date for the first round of ranking and funding.
Farmland and Forest landowners: start planning now for conservation needs (PDF)
Although typically associated with more traditional forms of agriculture, the most recent farm bill included funding for non-industrial forest landowners through NRCS programs.
EQUIP Forestry Information (PDF)
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