Calendar of Events

Berkshire events - locations in red
Connecticut River Valley events - locations in green
BEAT sponsored/co-sponsored events - in navy

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Free Webinar!  How to Create Greener and Healthier Schools for Children and Teachers

Healthy schools that are free from toxic chemicals are critical to children’s health. Unfortunately school building materials and products can contain chemicals harmful to children’s health that have been linked to asthma and other serious health problems on the rise.  For example, hazardous chemicals and materials like phthalates, vinyl and halogenated flame retardants have been found in flooring, office supplies, and/or other products in schools. Learn how you can encourage your school to be greener and healthier by launching an environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) program. 

Join this free webinar sponsored by CHEJ, the NYS United Teachers (NYSUT), the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Green Schools Alliance.

WHEN: Thursday May 23 – 4:30pm – 5:45 pm EST
WHERE: Free Webinar From Your Home/Computer

RSVP online at: http://bit.ly/healthyschoolswebinar

Funding provided by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute through a grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.   Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Environmental Conservation

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2 Million Gallons a Day?
by petervickery

New post on Beat Back Fracking

A company called Pioneer Valley Energy Center wants to extract up to 2 million gallons of water per day from Holyoke’s Tighe-Carmody Reservoir for a new power station in Westfield. The power plant would burn natural gas, a fossil fuel that emits methane, which does more damage to the climate than CO2.

westfield_tighe carmody

And it would withdraw up to 2 million gallons of water and discharge almost 250,000 gallons of wastewater every day. The water would come from the Tighe-Carmody Reservoir in  Southampton, which is owned and operated by Holyoke Water.

Is this really the best use of your drinking water?

In Westfield and Holyoke we need more clean renewable energy like solar, not more fossil fuels. Through the Green Communities Act, Westfield could get state grants to invest in efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy like small-scale solar systems. Other communities in Western Massachusetts are making the most of the funds. For example, last year Sunderland secured almost $150,000; Northfield received $144,000; and Gill (population 1,500) got $139,000.

So we say yes to the Green Communities Act, yes to solar, and no to more natural gas. To make your voice heard and learn more about how Westfield can do better with clean energy instead of burning more fossil fuels, come along to the public meeting co-sponsored by the GRP's campaign to Beat Back Fracking; Concerned Citizens of Westfield; and Climate Action Now! MA:

Westfield Athenaeum, Thursday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.

Westfield_reservoir_Spanish

Una compañía de nombre Pioneer Valley Energy Center quiere extraer hasta 2 millones de galones de agua cada día del Embalse Tighe-Carmody de Holyoke para una nueva central eléctrica en Westfield.

La planta eléctrica quemaría gas natural, un combustible fósil que emite metano, el cual causa más daño al clima que el dióxido de carbon.

La planta eléctrica que Pioneer Valley Energy Center quiere construir en Westfield sacaría hasta 2 millones de galones de agua y despediría casi 250,000 galones de agua residual cada día. El agua vendría del Embalse Tighe-Carmody en Southampton, propiedad y operación de Holyoke Water.

¿Es éste el mejor uso de tu agua potable?

En Westfield y Holyoke necesitamos más energía limpia y renovable como la solar, no más combustibles fósiles. Mediante la Ley de Comunidades Verdes, Westfield podría obtener subvenciones estatales para invertir en eficiencia, conservación y energía renovable como sistemas solares a pequeña escala. Otras comunidades en Western Massachusetts están aprovechando al máximo los fondos. Por ejemplo, el año pasado Sunderland consiguió casi $150,000; Northfield recibió $144,000, y Gill (población 1,500) obtuvo $139,000.

¡Westfield se lo está perdiendo!

Así que le decimos sí a la Ley de Comunidades Verdes, sí a la energía solar y no a más gas natural.Para hacerte escuchar y aprender más sobre comoWestfield puede mejorar con energía limpia en vez de quemando más combustibles fósiles, ven a la reunión:

La campaña Beat Back Fracking (Repeliendo la Fracturación Hidráulica) de GRP (Partido Verde-Arcoiris) le invita a una reunión pública:

Jueves, 23 de mayo, 6:30 p.m., Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield

Copatrocinadores: Partido Verde-Arcoiris de Pioneer Valley; Ciudadanos Preocupados de Westfield; ¡Acción para el Clima Ahora! MA

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Why Single-Degree Climate Changes Matter

Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
UU Church in Pittsfield,MA
175 Wendell Ave.
There is no charge. -

Those who think single-degree climate changes on Earth don’t matter should think again. Above, Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, offers a striking analogy, making the case in less than three minutes.

Leiserowitz, who specializes in the psychology of risk perception, knows better than anyone if people are willing to change their behavior to make a difference. Bill and Leiserowitz dive deep into the intersection of climate change and American cultural attitudes.

“[A] pervasive sense up to now has been that climate change is distant — distant in time, and distant in space,” Leiserowitz tells Bill. “And what we’re now beginning to see is that it’s not so distant. I have a nine-year-old son — he’s going to be my age in the year 2050. I don’t want him to live in the world that we’re currently hurtling towards.”

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Beat Back Fracking in Massachusetts Update

Good news. Thanks to your phone calls and emails, the bill to ban fracking in Massachusetts (H. 707) now has the support of more than 20 state representatives and senators, Paul Mark and Tricia Farley-Bouvier from the Berkshires among them. You can see who they are by going here and clicking the tab labelled "miscellaneous." If your legislators are on the list, please take a moment to thank them for co-sponsoring the bill.

Now I'd like to tell you about two upcoming events: one in the eastern part of the state and the other here in the Pioneer Valley.

There will be an anti-fracking meeting later this month in Cambridge in response to a "safe fracking" panel that the MIT Enterprise Forum has scheduled. The anti-fracking meeting is organized by the GreenRainbowParty, Progressive Democrats of America, Better Futures Project/350 Massachusetts, and Environment Massachusetts. If you have friends in the Cambridge/Somerville area please spread the word to them. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. in the Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge.

Closer to home, the Beat Back Fracking campaign is organizing a public meeting for May 23 in Westfield, where a company called Pioneer Valley Energy Center (formerly Westfield Land Development Company, LLC) wants to build a natural gas power station. Official estimates suggest that the facility would release approximately one million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year. And for cooling purposes the plant would need plenty of water -- up to two million gallons per day -- from the Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke.

If you're not happy about wasting water and burning more fracked gas in the Pioneer Valley, come along to Westfield Public Library on May 23 and make your voice heard.
Thank you for all you do,

-- Peter
Peter Vickery, Esq.

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Bird Walks at Canoe Meadows

Sponsored by Berkshire Sanctuaries

May 24, 2013 7:00 am - 9:00 am

Location: Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Holmes Rd, Pittsfield, MA
Audience: Adult
Members: free for MassAudubon members
Nonmembers: Adult $3.00

Spring and fall are the seasons to look for migrants of all kinds, especially the beautiful wood-warblers. Walk past wetlands and meadows and through woodlands observing changes in bird species each week. Preregistration is not required.

Registration not required.

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Riverfest

Riverfest, HooRWA’s annual celebration of the Hoosic River and its watershed, will be held Saturday May 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cole Field on the Williams College campus in Williamstown, MA. Activities will include rafting (if water levels permit), Native American games and drumming, live music by MoCA Jam, riverside art works, kids’ activities, nature walks, exhibits, and more. Attendees can participate in raffles for a kayak, a mountain bike, fly fishing equipment, and Nature’s Closet and Gear Den gift certificates. Admission/raffle tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the gate. (Advance tickets are on sale at the Williamstown Savings Bank in Williamstown.) Children 10 and under get in free.

Riverfest is made possible by title sponsor Williamstown Savings Bank, and major sponsors the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire (a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council), North Adams Regional Hospital, Alton & Westall Real Estate, and the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies.  Thanks go also to The Advocate and the North Adams Transcript. Proceeds benefit HooRWA’s river restoration, monitoring, and education programs.
(BEAT Note: We will have a table at this great event. Please join us!)

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TAKE BACK our FOOD! Occupy Monsanto Protest

Saturday, May 25, 2013
11:00am until 3:00pm
Park Square, Pittsfield

Join us in Pittsfield Ma. as we hold Monsanto accountable and TAKE BACK our FOOD!

Be with us on this International Day of Protest.

http://occupy-monsanto.com/

Join  ~ 20 countries and over 100 U.S. cities on May 25th as we in Pittsfield proudly MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO.

Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs is a statewide network of safe food advocates working together and with our state legislators to reach a critical mass of awareness and support for legislation mandating adequate labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) foods in Massachusetts. 
MARightToKnow.org  facebook.com/MARightToKnowGMOs

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May 2013 Programs at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
 
black-throated-blue-warblers
 
Saturday, May 25: Birding for Beginners: Let’s start at the beginning! Learn how to identify birds by field marks, use binoculars and learn to identify birds by their song. Leave being able to identify at least 10 birds or more!  Free. 
 
A full list of our spring programs can be found on our website at: http://www.dykenpond.org. To register for programs or for more information, please contact the Center at (518) 658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net. 

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Berkshire Natural Resources Council May Events & News
Square Roots Farm hike April 13th 2013
Pictured above: Families hiking at Square Roots Farm in Lanesboro April 13th 2013.

News:
This summer BNRC is breaking ground on a new trail at our Yokun Ridge Reserve!  The half-mile “Brothers Trail” will connect Old Baldhead Road with our Charcoal Trail, creating a nice big loop through the Reserve.  There will be opportunities to see the Trail in all its stages of development; stay tuned for details.  And we welcome your help with this project:  come swing a pickax, haul brush, feed our other volunteers – contribute anyway you can.  Again, stay tuned for details!

Events: 
  
Jones Nose to Mt Greylock
Lanesboro                                                                     Wednesday May 29th @ 10am
Lace your boots up tight, pack a rewarding lunch, and summit Mount Greylock, following the growing greenery up the mountain from Jones Nose. Distance: 8-9 miles

Our mailing address is:
Berkshire Natural Resources Council
20 Bank Row
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499 0596
www.BNRC.net
'Like' us on Facebook!

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Bird Walks at Canoe Meadows

Sponsored by Berkshire Sanctuaries

Fri, May 31, 2013 7:00 am - 9:00 am

Location: Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Holmes Rd, Pittsfield, MA
Instructor: Noreen Mole - Volunteer, Hoffmann Bird Club Past President
Audience: Adult
Members: free for members
Nonmembers: Adult $3.00

Spring and fall are the seasons to look for migrants of all kinds, especially the beautiful wood-warblers. Walk past wetlands and meadows and through woodlands observing changes in bird species each week. Preregistration is not required.

Instructions and Directions: Bring binoculars; beginners welcome.  Registration not required.

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minisite Paint and Oil collection
Paint and Oil Collection:

Sat, June 1, 2013
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Lenox Dept. of Public Works
275 Main St.
Lenox, MA
 
Acceptable Materials: Used motor oil, oil based paints, turpentine, stains, thinner. Not accepting: Latex paint, paint brushes/rags, medical waste, asbestos, fireworks and explosives, ammunition, gas cylinders, smoke detectors, radioactive material, fire extinguishers, empty aerosol cans, PCBs. This collection is for residents of: Alford, Becket, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mt. Washington, New Marlboro, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, and West Stockbridge. Preregistration mandatory. Please register here or email amanda.bates@cetonline.orgor call 888-577-8448 ext. 10 or ext. 14.

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Seventh Annual Hilltown Spring Festival Will Celebrate Hilltown Life on June 1

The Hilltown Community Development Corporation is signing up local artisans, businesses, non-profit organizations and volunteers for the 7th annual Hilltown Spring Festival, to be held Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cummington Fairgrounds.

Last year’s Festival drew 2,000 people for an all-day celebration of regional arts, culture and sustainability. This year’s Festival will feature performances all day by area musicians on two stages, specialty food and drink from hilltown vendors, children’s activities all day long, kids-made crafts, and a new open mike stage.

The Festival is looking for:

  • Artists and craftspeople who want to display and sell their work;
  • Businesses who want to reach 2,000 prospective customers in one day;
  • Vendors of products and services that make our lives more energy-efficient and our communities more sustainable;
  • Local food vendors;
  • Volunteer captains to help the Festival succeed;
  • Kids 12 and under who want to show and sell their art or craft work;
  • Musicians to perform on a new open mike stage;
  • And businesses to sponsor the Festival.

“The Hilltown Spring Festival is a chance to connect with 2,000 of your neighbors who care about the quality of life in the Hilltowns,” said Seth Isman, Hilltown CDC’s Economic Development Director and Festival coordinator. “The Festival celebrates what we love about the hilltown community.”

Registration forms are available from Hilltown CDC; email sethi@hilltowncdc.org or call 413-296-4536 ext. 112.  The priority deadline for reserving a space is May 13, 2013.

The Hilltown Spring Festival is supported in part by grants from the Local Cultural Councils of the towns of Ashfield, Chester. Chesterfield, Conway, Cummington, Goshen, Middlefield, Plainfield, Washington, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Windsor and Worthington—local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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Wildlife Habitat Bird Walk For Private Landowners

A panel of experts from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Mass Wildlife) and Pantermehl Environmental Services will lead an informational bird walk through old field, shrub land, thicket and mature forest habitats at the Bakke Family’s 800 acre property on Bliss Rd. in Florida, MA. Learn about the tools and techniques for creating and maintaining these habitats, including timber harvesting and mowing. Funding sources available through NRCS for habitat work on private property will also be discussed.

Saturday, June 1, 2013
8:00 a.m. ‐ 10:30 a.m.

Workshop Location


Directions
At the Florida Fire Dept. on Rte. 2, travel north on Tilda Hill Rd. for 1.6 miles.
Turn left onto Bliss Rd and go all the way to the end.

Sponsored by USDA-NRCS, the Berkshire Conservation District and MassWildlife

Bring your binoculars. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring bug spray and raingear.

This is a FREE event and will be held rain or shine.

For more information, contact The NRCS office in Pittsfield at (413)443-1776 x 3, or email Kate.Parsons@ma.usda.gov.   

Visit www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov to learn more about technical and financial assistance available through NRCS.

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Beats  4  B.E.A.T. Concert Fundraiser

An Afternoon of Blues/Jazz/Rock and Soul Music to benefit Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)

Sunday, June 2 at 3:00 pm
First Church, 27 East St (on Park Square), Pittsfield
A freewill collection will be taken
For more information call 413-447-7351 or visit the website: www.firstchurchpittsfield.org


First Church, in support of their mission partner – Berkshire Environmental Action Team – B.E.A.T. – will host an afternoon of rock, soul, folk, and jazz music:  Beats 4 BEAT.  Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 3 pm.  Carlton Maaia II will be performing along with special guests Linda Worster, Andy Kelly, Jon Hadad and Rebecca Leigh.  First Church house band, Between the Banks, will set the vibe with songs like “Clocks” (Coldplay), “Don’t Give Up” (Herbie Hancock) as well as originals and some jazz standards.  A freewill offering will be taken with all donations going to BEAT’s local efforts to clean up the Housatonic River.

Please help us get the word out!

Thank you,
Jane

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Banner Drop on Memorial Day weekend

When: Friday May 24 and/or Monday May 27, 2013
Where: highway bridges from south of Northampton, MA to north of Montpelier, VT
What: SAGE Alliance is planning its next BANNER DROP for Memorial Day weekend.
Last October, literally thousands of people saw our messages on 22 highway bridges from south of Northampton to north of Montpelier. We had fun hanging out together over the highways. It was a pretty easy action the first time, we learned a bit, and now that we've got our banners, it'll be a breeze (literally: one lesson learned was poke holes in your banner!) 
You can see lots of photos from the Banner Drop on our website here
People are starting to "reserve" bridges and time shifts. If you and a group of folks want to hang a banner Friday May 24 and/or Monday May 27, let's talk Contact Leslie Sullivan Sachs at 802-763-8459 or safeandgreencampaign@gmail.com.

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A Fukushima Refugee Speaks Out

When: May 28, 7:00 PM
Where: Brattleboro, VT: 7:00 PM Centre Congregational Church, Main St.
Contact: Leslie Sullivan Sachs (Safe & Green Campaign) safeandgreencampaign@gmail.com
Also to be scheduled: meeting with Windham County legislators, Red Cross and emergency planners

When: May 29, 7:30 PM
Where: Greenfield, MA: 7:30 PM Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square
Contact: Randy Kehler (Safe & Green Campaign) kehler.randy@gmail.com

When: June 4
Where: Montpelier, VT Location & Time TBA
Contact: Debra Stoleroff - (VYDA) debra@vtlink.net

What:
Chikako Nishiyama is a nuclear refugee from Kawauchi, Japan, a town of 2,300 people 15 miles from the Fukushima reactors. She will be on a speaking tour of our area with Chiho Kaneko. During the “Voices of Fukushima” project to commemorate the three year anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, we discovered that Greenfield, MA is a sister city to Kawauchi. Chikako Nishiyama was on the city council of Kawauchi in 2011. As she was getting ready to run for a second term, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred with its resulting tsunami and devastating meltdowns of the nearby Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors. When she received by the messages from the people of Greenfield, she reached out to Chiho Kanako and organized a trip to New England. She will speak first hand with towns in our own evacuation zone about her experiences.
Tour Contact: Leslie Sullivan Sachs, safeandgreencampaign@gmail.com.

Note:
In Montpelier on June 4th: also to be scheduled: a meeting with interested legislators and VSNAP members; an event for the central Vermont Japanese community and an public event in the evening.
Safe and Green’s first of the month vigil will be moved to June 4th so Chikako and Chiho can join

For more information, go to http://www.safeandgreencampaign.org/events/2013/05/fukushima-refugee-stories-from-the-evacuation-zone

 

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Panel Discussion: "The Tipping Point: A Future Without Vermont Yankee"

When: Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 7:00 – 8:30 PM 
Where: Fletcher Free Library, 235 College St., Burlington, VT
What: Panel featuring:
Deb Katz, Executive Director of the Citizens Awareness Network
Chris Williams, Organizer for Vermont Citizens Action Network
Bob Stannard, Citizen Lobbyist for the Vermont Citizens Action Network

Come learn more about the current status of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon, VT: the lawsuits and appeals, the Public Service Board process; public engagement and the inevitable nuclear power plant decommissioning. Learn about Entergy's financial woes and how this impacts closure and cleanup

Click here for full press release.
Poster

 

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Indian Point Convergence

When: Sunday, June 2, 2013 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Stony Point Center, 17 Cricketown Road, Stony Point, NY
What:
The Indian Point Convergence is at the Stony Point Center, in Rockland County.
Below is a link to a map on the facebook page.
http://stonypointcenter.org/about-us/contact-us#.UVjKfaVXtzo
https://www.facebook.com/StonyPointCenter/page_map

 

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Join our Board
Citizens Awareness Network (CAN) is growing our board of directors. As you are well aware, CAN is a grassroots environmental organization working to end the use of unaffordable and dangerous nuclear power in the Northeast. CAN has successfully been an integral player in empowering communities to take action, has helped transform debates over energy, pollution and environmental justice and has helped reduce New England’s dependence on nuclear power by a significant percentage. Currently CAN is working on the closure of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, Vermont and is engaging New England communities in the transition to renewable energy sources. You can learn more on the website: www.nukebusters.org.
If you would like to join the board of this vibrant organization at a pivotal moment in our ever-evolving mission, please contact us if you have finance skills, strategic planning skills, development skills, general non-profit board experience or have passion for an issue that is related to social justice or the environment. We're happy to answer any questions you might have and accept letters of interest at CAN@nukebusters.org or you can post your paper letter to: CAN, P.O. Box 83, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370.
Board terms are one year in length or longer. The board meets six times throughout the calendar year for board meetings.

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If you missed the Rally and Public Hearing to Stop the Vermont Gas Pipeline
Thursday, March 21, you can submit public comment on-line: 
http://psb.vermont.gov/docketsandprojects/public-comment?docket=7970

More info: http://risingtidevermont.wordpress.com/

 

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If you missed the November 2012 PSB Hearing in Vermont, it is not too late, to send your comments to the PSB Board in Montpelier, VT:
by email psb.clerk@state.vt.us or in writing to: 
Clerk of the Board, Vermont Public Service Board, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-2701
Please put Docket 7862 or VT Yankee Re-licensing in the subject line. 
Nine Good Reasons...

 

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Support the Peoples' lobbyist in the Vermont Statehouse – Bob Stannard is representing you.
Tritium leaks, lying to government officials, Strontium-90
in the ground and fish, cracks in the cooling tower. What's coming next?
Help us keep Bob in the statehouse!
DONATE online to Vermont Citizens Action Network,
http://vtcitizen.org/
Or send your check to: 
Vermont Citizen Action Network PO Box 16 Hancock, VT 05784
Remember, we MUST act today to change tomorrow.
Contacts: Deb Katz 413 339-5781, Chris Williams 802 767-9131

Thank you!!

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Recent articles related to VY:

NC nuclear plant shut down after crack discovered; officials say no safety threat
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/nc-nuclear-plant-shut-down-after-crack-discovered-officials-say-no-safety-threat/2013/05/16/2f05447e-be4d-11e2-b537-ab47f0325f7c_story.html

Environmentalists praise fed ruling on San Onofre
http://www.macon.com/2013/05/13/2477260/federal-board-issues-mixed-ruling.html

Uranium on the Great Plains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-aEheBZ-JI

Batteries: Cheapest Form of Grid Power?
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/513651/batteries-cheapest-form-of-grid-power/

Supergrids
http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/513736/supergrids/

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Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light presents...
Co-Sponsored by:
Union of Concerned Scientists
Environmental League of MA
Coal Free MA

Fighting Climate Change Caused By Power Plants
(Federal and State Initiatives)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
2-5 PM
Edwards Church (UCC), 39 Edwards Street, Framingham MA
For directions, please visit: http://www.edwardschurch.org/directions/

Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants produce nearly 40 percent of the global warming pollution in the United States. Despite this, there are currently no limits on the amount of carbon pollution that can be released from power plant smokestacks.  Invited experts will be speaking on new initiatives to counter this.

Keynote talk: New EPA rules for Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Power Plants
Speaker: Rachel Cleetus, Ph. D., Senior Climate Economist, Union of Concerned Scientists
The focus of her work is designing and advocating for effective global warming policies at the federal, regional, state and international levels.

Making Massachusetts Coal-Free
Speaker: Eugenia Gibbons, Program Director, Environmental League of Massachusetts
Eugenia oversees ELM's Global Warming Solutions Project (GWSP) - a diverse network of representatives from MA state and local government, business, labor, academia, public health, and environmental advocates – and coordinates joint action and advocacy.

Join us for an informative afternoon, and learn how you can help support these important initiatives. Admission is free!  Please pass this on to your fellow climate activists.

To register for this free event, go to: www.climatechange-powerplants.eventbrite.com

If you need a poster for the event, please let me know:  Fran Ludwig  fludwig12@yahoo.com

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Western Mass Action to Support NY Fair Elections Act
from Represent Us


$100 bill costume demonstration in Albany
Put on a $100-bill costume and join us on Wednesday, June 5th at the Albany capital building. 

The New York legislature is on the verge of passing an historic law that would rout out money in politics corruption, so we're filling up a FREE bus with activists from Western Mass to head to Albany and support the fight.

It's called the Fair Elections Act and it would not only cleanup New York politics, but it could provide a critical springboard for the entire anti-corruption movement. But a group of senators are standing in the way. If we hit them with massive public pressure, the law can pass.

Will you join us on the bus? It's free, we've got the $100 bill costumes. Plus you'll get free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, roll with a marching band, and hang out with our friends at Ben Cohen's Stamp Stampede (He's "Ben" of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream). 

When you sign up, be sure to click the "Bus from Northampton" checkbox so we can count you in.

When: Bus leaves Northampton, MA at 9am, Wednesday, June 5th, 2013. We get back at 5pm.

Where: Meet the bus at Sheldon Field Park and Ride (51 Old Ferry Road and Rt 9). The Rally is at West Capitol Park, Albany, NY

What: Press Conference and fun money suit rally with Represent.Us, Stamp Stampede and FREE Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!

Why: Pressure the NY Senate to pass the NY Fair Elections Act — get big money corruption out of politics and help springboard the issue of corrupt elections onto the national stage.

This is important, and we need you to be part of it. (and don't worry....if wearing a costume isn't your thing, you can wear whatever you want!)

This law has a real chance of winning, but only if we the people ramp up the pressure in these next few weeks. 

Sign up here to attend the event and put on a money suit!

Check out this video to see how fun this action can be. 

You being there could make the difference in this groundbreaking legislation!

See you there,

Rose Bookbinder, Campaign Manager
and the entire Represent.Us team

http://act.unitedrepublic.org/o.gif?akid=432.159875.DucTH3
Represent.Us | Read the American Anti-Corruption Act

Represent.Us is the campaign to support The American Anti-Corruption Act. United Republic is a bold, new challenge to the undue influence of well-financed special interests over American politics and government.

United Republic, P.O. Box 60008, Florence, MA 01062, 855-585-8100

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The Water Systems Council is a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that Americans who get their water from household, private wells have safe, reliable drinking water and to protecting our Nation's groundwater resources.

Educational outreach is a very important part of our mission. Thus, every year the Water Systems Council holds a Children's Water Festival in a different state. In 2013 we are hosting a festival in Massachusetts. The festival will take place at Holyoke Community College on June 6, 2013.

We have approximately 1,500 5th grade students and their teachers and chaperons from the surrounding school districts registered to attend the festival. This day long, free festival provides each class with 4 1/2 hours of hands on activities in 25 minute blocks on a variety of water topics including drinking water, groundwater, watersheds, surface water, and water quality and conservation.

Activities are led by over 300 volunteers that are water and natural resource experts from local, state, and national organizations, thus the reason for our contacting you!

We reach out to organizations and state government agencies to see if they can bring their knowledge and experience to the festival. Some have activities they already use to educate students about water and environmental issues. Others are willing to volunteer for the festival in a variety of ways.

Event PDF

BEAT Note: The 2013 Bay State Children’s Water Festival is seeking volunteers for the event.  If you’d like to help out please contact: 

Margaret Martens
Public Education Coordinator
Water Systems Council
1101 30th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20007
ph 202-625-4387
cell 704-658-8730
fax 704-660-1957

Join the Well Owners Network today!
http:/www.watersystemscouncil.org/network.php

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Join fellow community innovators & activists to celebrate community action, share stories, learn and reflect on different skills that make us successful.


rootSkills Header 3

CLICK HERE for more details!

When:
June 7 & 8, 2013

Where:
Camp Yavneh, Northwood, NH

Workshops:
Personal Leadership
Group Development
Community Building


Register-Now-Button-Orange



For More Details:
www.grassrootsfund.org/resources/rootskills

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Lebanon Valley Business Association Celebrates Herb History in New Lebanon

New Lebanon, NY – The second annual Mount Lebanon Herb Festival celebrates the illustrious past of herbs, town history and the Shaker tradition in the heart of the Lebanon Valley, the birthplace of the herbal pharmacy in the United States.  The event takes place on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the historic grounds of Darrow School, at Mount Lebanon Shaker Village.

The HerbFest explores the role of herbs in food, gardens, medicine and health from the early days of the Native Americans to current businesses and practices.

This year the HerbFest features a keynote lecture and herb-focused cooking demonstration by Amy Cotler, noted Berkshires author of The Locavore Way.  There will also be a lecture and book-signing of The Backyard Parables by best-selling author Margaret Roach.

In addition, more than thirty workshops, demonstrations, walks and seminars will include hands-on sessions that utilize herbs in a variety of products, speak to their medicinal and curative powers and explore the use of herbs throughout time. 

An article about last year’s HerbFest from the Chatham Courier (June 13, 2012) quoted an attendee who said about last year’s HerbFest, “It’s got so much energy, attendance, professionalism and fun.”

Learn tips from garden experts who have a deep understanding of what it takes to make an herb garden thrive.  Take a guided walk through beautiful terrain with a focus on herbs and their history in the area.  See demonstrations and sample foods that feature herbs.  Find out about herbs for health in a variety of traditions and learn to make some herbal products.  Hear historians tell the story that herbs have played in the area.  A full day of kid activities make it fun for the family too.

Vendors will have offerings for a continental breakfast, lunch and high tea, along with herbs and herbal products to sell.  Local lodging establishments in New Lebanon are also offering special rates to HerbFest attendees, who will also be able to pick up special offer coupons for the New Lebanon Farmer’s Market the next day.

Admission to the June 8 HerbFest is $10 per person or $20 per family.  Attendees can arrive as early as 9:30 and leave as late as 5:30, confident of more than three events an hour going on all day.  A listing of events as well as on-line registration is available at www.mountlebanonherbfest.com. The HerbFest is held rain or shine.

Lebanon Valley Business Association proudly sponsors the HerbFest and other projects that bring prosperity to the Lebanon Valley.

For Information or vendor application contact Linda Hursa at 518-794-8800 or angelstrumpetflowers@yahoo.com.

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Saturday, June 8, 2013

Family Fun Day at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 am to 4 pm.  “Turtle’s New Home” puppet show at 11. Skyhunters in Flight (live raptors) at 1:30.  Family concert by George Wilson at noon.  Indoor and outdoor activities, kids’ crafts, nature walks.  Food and Project Native plants for sale. Free admission, courtesy of Greylock Federal Credit Union.  472 W. Mountain Rd., Lenox.  413-637-0320 or www.massaudubon.org.

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MA Open Space Conference, 6/8

When: 
Saturday, June 8, 2013 - 10:00am - 3:00pm
Where: 
Oakmont Regional High School, Ashburnham MA

The 2nd Statewide Open Space Conference is an event designed for municipal volunteers from Massachusetts involved in open space protection.  This year’s conference will include nine different breakout sessions with topics ranging from managing town land, creating a town forest, starting a trails subcommittee, promoting CPA, planning a Woods Forum, and writing an Open Space & Recreation Plan. A lunch will also be provided at this free event. 

To RSVP or for more information please contact Andrea Buglione @ 978-248-2055 x21 or conservationist_americorps@mountgrace.org

Sponsored by the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Sudbury Valley Trustees, Nashua River Watershed Association, UMass Amherst, and the MassLIFT AmeriCorps program.

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Upcoming activities & projects at Springside Park

June 8- National Get Outdoors Day: Friends of Springside will be hosting numerous activities and performances throughout the park this day and we will need every available volunteer to help out for as much of the day as possible.  Email springsidenow@gmail.com

Ongoing projects:

-Gardening- contact Judy Gitelson @ 445-5540 pittsfile@yahoo.com to help with this much needed work
-Vernal pool documentation project- Contact Josh Griffin joshgriffin0420@gmail.com
-Blue Bird houses- cleaning out and installing more bird houses - contact Phyllis @ 413-443-3817 wildflowers@berkshirewildflowers.com
-Arboretum Tuesday evening concert series July-August every Tuesday @ 7pm, Elizabeth Kulas could use volunteers to help elizabeth.kulas@cox.net

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Public Hearing Scheduled for MA GMO Labeling Bills
There's an upcoming public hearing at the MA State House on GMO labeling on June 11th!

We have received word that here in Massachusetts, the Joint Committee on Public Health has scheduled a hearing entitled “Food Safety, Nutrition and Labeling,” where not one, but three bills will be discussed related to the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (“GMOs”)!  This development comes days after celebrating progress on a GMO labeling bill for our neighbors in Vermont.  Momentum is building!  Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs is an emerging statewide network of safe food advocates that has been helping to increase awareness and support for labeling of GMO ingredients.  We invite you to join us at the hearing on Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 at 10:00 am to make your voice heard.  

Submit your testimony and sign up to speak at the hearing! http://bit.ly/17wZPRX

Please join us for this demonstration of public support for GMO labeling, and consider submitting testimony.  We have set up a form to submit testimony and to express your intent to speak.  Our legislators need to hear from people across the state and all walks of life.  If you cannot attend, please use the form and we’ll print and submit your testimony for you.  You can find more information on GMO labeling on our website, MArighttoknow.org.  


Massachusetts GMO Labeling Bills Hearing
June 11, 2013, 10:00 AM
MA State House, Room A-1
details: http://1.usa.gov/12Cjj23


Sign-up to speak and/or submit testimony: http://bit.ly/17wZPRX
Please share the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/527361627325700/
For more info on MA, please visit MArighttoknow.org
labeling initiatives nationwide: http://righttoknow-gmo.org


Statewide Network Conference Call :: THIS Sunday, May 19th

The movement for safe and transparent food is picking up serious momentum (largely fueled by Mothers, by the way - Happy Mothers Day, Moms!).  We have some exciting updates to share, as well as some new ways to get more involved! Join us on our monthly statewide network teleconference, starting next Sunday, May 19th.

We’ve spent the last 9 months connecting with fellow safe food advocates across the state: hosting community screenings, attending demonstrations and special events, working with GMO-free business leaders and talking with legislators.  

We want to share some stories about what we’ve been doing, seeing and hearing, and we’d like to hear from you, too. In order to provide a forum where people can hear from each other across the state, MA Right to Know GMOs will start facilitating monthly conference calls.  This is another chance for us to share successes and challenges and learn how to get more involved.


The first of these monthly statewide teleconferences will be:
5/19/2013, 8:00 PM
Phone Number: (605) 475-4700 Access code: 928396#  

 

We invite you to join us, every third Sunday, starting in May:

  • *Come hear about what’s been happening in the state, national and global movements for safe food.  
  • *Share what’s been happening in your communities and businesses across the state.
  • *Find out how to plug in and get more active, and help us work together.



People everywhere are declaring their right to know what is in their food, and taking action to reclaim it.  We hope you’ll join us in working together.

For the genetic integrity of our seeds, our bodies and our biosphere,

Martin Dagoberto and the MA Right to Know GMOs Steering Committee


PS. In case you haven't heard, the now international March Against Monsanto is happening May 25th in over 250 cities on 6 continents. People everywhere are standing up to Monsanto and bonding together for a future of safe and democratic food. There are several events happening here in Massachusetts (including Boston, Chicopee, New Bedford, Springfield and Pittsfield). Please find more info, here: march-against-monsanto.com. See you in the streets!

-- 
Martin Dagoberto
MA Right to Know GMOs, Facilitator
Tipping Point Network, State Contact

Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs is a statewide network of safe food advocates working together to reach a critical mass of awareness and support for legislation mandating adequate labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) foods in Massachusetts. 
MARightToKnow.org  facebook.com/MARightToKnowGMOs

The Tipping Point Network (TPN) is a network of local activists educating their communities about the health risks associated with Genetically Modified (GM) foods.  A project of the Institute for Responsible Technology. ResponsibleTechnology.org

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Housatonic River Walk Announces Special Horticulture Program for Students

www.gbriverwalk.org

This year’s work season includes a variety of restoration techniques for River Walk’s severely abused river location—planting thousands of native plants propagated from seed collected locally, while ridding the riverbank of knotweed, bittersweet, garlic mustard, multiflora rose and other exotic-invasives. For nearly fifteen years, River Walk has propagated the bulk of its inventory with species genetically native to Berkshire County.  Work plans also include trail repair and maintenance and riverbottom cleanups. Fragile riverbanks compromised by recent storm events will be stabilized with bioengineering techniques.

Work at the River Walk site is managed by Berkshire County’s Greenagers, the local organization that fosters the ethics of service and stewardship in area youth.  Greenagers manage trail improvements and riverbank reclamation, and participate in educational outreach. Volunteers are invited to work alongside Greenagers on other days.  Special workdays with other schools and groups may also be arranged. On-site education programs include student workdays, tours, and lectures about river ecology and the river’s rich historical heritage.

Director Rachel Fletcher says, “When we started as a simple riverbank clean up 25 years ago, none of us imagined River Walk would become what it is today. And we’re still growing. Now, with Greenagers having a hand in its future, we have so much to look forward to.”

This year, Heather Cupo, River Walk’s landscape gardener of fifteen years, will offer an intensive program about River Walk’s native landscape improvements for Greenagers and other student volunteers. The horticultural program is designed to help these teens acquire the job and leadership skills they will need to care for native habitats in the future.

On Thursday, May 9, 9 am-2 pm, Ms. Cupo will talk about invasive plants, poly vs mono culture, IPM strategy and other management techniques, and field practice. The program on Thursday, June 13, 9 am-2 pm, will include erosion management, soil building and retention, water quality and pollution control, coir log installation and planting, and riverbank maintenance.

The program is free to Mt. Everett and Monument Mountain students. Transportation to and from school is provided. Greenager crews will also receive site training appropriate for each season of the work year.

River Walk is supported this year by a Recreational Trails Program grant award of $21,345 from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and additional grants from The Roy Foundation, Town of Great Barrington, Katherine L. W. and Winthrop M. Crane III Charitable Trust, and the Berkshire Environmental Endowment of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Local foundation and business sponsors include The Turkeybush Fund, Great Barrington Rotary, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Berkshire Corporation, and Country Curtains and The Red Lion Inn.

In addition to meeting this year’s budget, River Walk hopes to raise $100,000 to help Greenagers manage River Walk in the future and train the next generation of trail stewards. Each donation of $250 or more is matched by an anonymous donor.

River Walk—a National Recreation Trail—is a public walking trail entering between Rite Aid and Pink Cloud on Main Street.  An additional section follows the river adjacent to the former Searles Middle School and the Berkshire Corporation parking lot.  River Walk easements are granted in appreciation of volunteer clean-up activities, including the removal of 400 tons of rubble and debris from various sites. To date, more than 2400 volunteers have worked to restore the riverbank to its native ecology and to produce ½ mile of public trail.  River Walk easements are managed by the Great Barrington Land Conservancy.

For more information, visit www.gbriverwalk.org or contact Rachel Fletcher at 528-3391, or e-mail river@gbriverwalk.org.  For information about Greenagers visit www.greenagers.org or call Will Conklin 413-644-9090.

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Green Infrastructure for the Development Community
Getting the Job Done with Green Infrastructure

A practical one day FREE WORKSHOP for developers, contractors, designers, landscapers, and municipal officials

Thursday, June 13, 2013 8:30-4:15
Kittredge Center
Holyoke Community College

Green Infrastructure practices for stormwater management are being incorporated into site design criteria for new and re-development projects. Come learn how these systems can be incorporated into a range of site design scenarios based on completed projects in New England. This workshop will focus on design, construction, budget, and maintenance challenges from completed projects and how they were overcome.
Representatives from regional projects will be present to share their experiences, tools and resources used to get the job done.  Workshop format will be interactive with lots of opportunity to get answers about how to make Green Infrastructure work in your next project.

Registration is required by contacting Anne Capra at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission at acapra@pvpc.org

Events to come:
September 17, 2013 – Green Infrastructure Supplies, Tools, Resources, and Services Fair for Western Massachusetts

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
60 Congress Street – Floor 1
Springfield, MA 01104
www.pvpc.org

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Chirps, Cheeps, and Warbles--Birding by Ear

Sponsored by Berkshire Sanctuaries

Sat, Jun 15, 2013 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Instructor: Rene Laubach - Director, Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries
Audience: Adult
Members: Adult $4.00
Nonmembers: Adult $6.00

Birdwatching can be in large measure actually "bird listening." Once you know the songs and calls of our common resident songbirds, finding the birds and identifying them becomes much easier. This bird walk is designed for beginner and intermediate birders working to improve their auditory identification skills. Once you know the sounds, you'll be surprised at how many more birds you encounter.

Instructions and Directions: Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them.

Registration is required – Please call: 
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA  01240
413-637-0320
www.massaudubon.org

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6/15 - SAVE THE DATE!

The Hoosic River Revival Invites You to a Community Conversation
Saturday, June 15, 9 am - 1 pm
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 68 Marshall St, North Adams

What if the Hoosic River flowing through North Adams could be a more attractive, accessible community resource that still provides effective flood control? It’s possible! Please join us for a community conversation to:

  • Learn about 10 potential options from river restoration engineers and city planners
  • Get answers to your questions
  • Exchange thoughts and ideas with community members

Sponsored by the Hoosic River Revival. Refreshments and babysitting provided. Details to come.

Please forward to friends, coworkers, and congregations, and include this info in newsletters and bulletins. See you there!

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Flying Deer Day 

muddy kids crawling

Experience Your Family's TRUE NATURE

Mark your calendar: Saturday, June 15, 2013, All-Day Fun!

Have You Entered to Win Yet?

Enter Our SWEEPSTAKES Today!!!

FIRST PRIZE - $35 Flying Deer Discount
SECOND PRIZE - hand-made Song of the Season cards 
THIRD PRIZE - Free B-B-Q Lunch at Flying Deer Day 
--------------------------------------------------- 
Flying Deer Day Activities
Races, Egg Toss, Flying Deer Games, Nature Activities, 
Bar-B-Q, Funky Samba Jam, Natural Craftmaking, 
Silent Auction, Face Painting, and more! 
The sweepstakes ends on Friday, April 19th. 

ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN

(or just "Like" Us on Facebook)

Like us on Facebook

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Free Conservation Commission Fundamentals Training This Spring! 6/15
MACC will offer three Fundamentals Unit 1 at no cost to 75 Conservation Commissioners, with support from its Frederick J. Fawcett II Education Fund.

MACC is sponsoring three in-person trainings of Unit 1: Overview of Conservation Commissions: Relationships, Responsibilities, Funds and Fees from its certificate training program, Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners, at no charge to MACC members who serve on or work for a Conservation Commission.

June 15 - Controy Pavillion, Pittsfield, MA

Online Registration HERE.

How to apply for Unit 1 scholarship :
Download the application form HERE then email to lindsay.martucci@maccweb.org,


fax to 617-489-3935 or mail to MACC, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478

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Hoosic River Revival Community Conversation #2

On June 15 from 9 am until 1 pm the River Revival is hosting public Community Conversation #2 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary church. We want your feedback on our new Conceptual Drawings (ideas) for revitalizing the Hoosic and the adjacent area.  As we did at Conversation #1 in 2010, we will have food, drink, babysitters, and our consultants will present information on the river and describe/show/explain each of the RIVER REVITALIZATION drawings. In between we will have small group discussions led by professional engineers and city planners. Watch for the announcement that the conceptual drawings are on the Hoosic River Revival website!
The Hoosic River Revival is now a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with a Board of Directors and an Advisory Counsel.

Lastly, please send me an email, or call with questions/concerns/recommendations you have.  You are our ‘eyes and ears’ to the public.  And please join us on Saturday, June 15, and invite all your friends and neighbors to this city-wide, public meeting! We want to hear from you and from them.                          
Hope to see you in June, or before!
Judith Grinnell, President
Hoosic River Revival 
P. O. Box 434
North Adams, MA  01247

For more information, please go to our website:  www.HoosicRiverRevival.org or call 1.413.212.2996

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Improving Stream Crossings workshop:

June 17 – Berkshire Community College, K111
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., lunch and snacks included. Worth 1 Roads Scholar credit and 0.5 CEU credits. AICP credit pending. Registration fee is: $20.

For more information, or to register, visit the Bay State Roads website.

Past workshops –
 - March 13 – Westfield State University, Westfield – (See photos and power points)
 - March 26 – Greenfield Olver Transportation Center
Statewide experts from all sectors will cover the following topics:

  • The Value of Road-Smart Stream Crossings
  • Stream Crossings Standards and Permitting
  • Engineering Standards and Guidance
  • Case Studies
  • Technical and Funding Resources

Who should attend:
Municipal highway, planning and DPW staff, municipal officials, conservation commissioners, engineering consultants, regional planning staff, state agency staff, environmental organization staff, volunteers, and anyone with an interest in improving stream crossings.
For more information see BEAT's webpage on Improving Stream Crossings.

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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Future of Ash in Berkshire County
A FREE Seminar for the Public and Ash Resource Managers in Berkshire County

Please join us for a comprehensive look at the emerald ash borer, its expected impact on Berkshire County, and how to deal with this destructive pest in the wake of its arrival.

Wednesday, June 19, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Koussevitsky Arts Center, Room 111
Berkshire Community College
1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA
(Directions at www.berkshirecc.edu/MapsDirections)
Registration: Not required

For more information, contact your service forester:
North Berkshire, Pete Grima, peter.grima@state.ma.us, (413) 784-1828 ext. 127
South Berkshire, Tom Ryan, tom.ryan@state.ma.us, (413) 784-1828 ext. 123

This event is being brought to you by the MA DCR Service Forestry Program with support from Berkshire Community College and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance-Tree Farm Program.

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Foraging Walk with Russ Cohen at the Wyomanock Center in Stephentown, NY from 6-8 PM on Thurs. June 20.

The event doesn’t show up on the group’s web page (http://wyocenter.org/) yet, but I assume it will appear there eventually.

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New Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Conference

Mark your Calendars! MAC is now in the process of developing the schedule for a new Summer Conference with focus on curriculum connections from the school garden to the classroom.  It will be held on Thursday, July 18 in Holden with multiple concurrent workshop sessions.

Read more as we develop the details.

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MACC Spring-Summer Training Schedule

Free Fundamentals Training – Saturday, June 15
MACC is offering Fundamentals Unit 1 at no cost for up to 75 Conservation Commissioners, with support from its Frederick J. Fawcett II Education Fund.
Unit 1: Overview of Conservation Commissions: Relationships, Responsibilities, Funds and Fees from MACC’s certificate training program, Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners, is available at no charge to MACC members who serve on or work for a Conservation Commission.

June 15

Controy Pavilion, Pittsfield, MA

To register click HERE.


Wetland Delineation for Beginners
Friday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Maynard Town Hall, Maynard, MA
Instructors: Michael Howard and Greg Hochmuth
This workshop is designed for Conservation Commissioners new to wetland delineation methodology. Participants will learn how to delineate Bordering Vegetated Wetlands using the DEP manual “Delineating Bordering Vegetated Wetlands under the MA Wetlands Protection Act”. Commissioners will gain a better understanding of how to evaluate this resource area based on vegetation, soils and other indicators of hydrology. DEP manual included. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Bring pencil/pen, notebook, tape measure and pocket calculator (last 2 items if available) Please bring appropriate clothing for field session (waterproof footwear, rain gear, etc.)

To register click HERE.

Exploring Wetland Shrubs
Thursday, July 11, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Garden in the Woods, Framingham
Instructor: Roland “Boot” Boutwell
Co-Sponsor: New England Wildflower Society
With a pond, a stream and a bog, the Garden provides us with an excellent field site to examine shrubs that grow in and around wetlands. We also cover a few shrubs that grow in higher and drier habitats. In addition to identification of 15-20 New England shrubs, the class includes some fun and interesting natural history. Please bring lunch, and a hand lens and shrub field guide, if you have them. Attendance is limited to 16 people.

CLASS IS FULL! Please call MACC at 617-489-3930 to be added to the waiting list. Additional spaces may become available in June.

Soil Science: Field Skills Workshop
Wednesday, July 10, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury
Instructors: Peter Fletcher and Gillian Davies
Combination: lecture, PowerPoint slides, hands-on exercises, field exercise. Topics: soils of Massachusetts; geologic history and its influence on our soils; soil texture; percent sand, silt & clay; soil color; describing a soil profile; estimating depth to seasonal high water table. The afternoon field trip: will work together in teams to describe different soil test pits in the field which will cover a broad range of soil features. Field equipment will be provided. Lunch and Soil Workbook included.

To register click HERE.

Hydric Soil Workshop: Field Identification, Documentation and Delineation
Thursday, July 18, 9:00 a.m. – 4: 00 p.m.
Sharon Community Center, Sharon
Instructors: Peter Fletcher and Gillian Davies
Combination: lecture, slides, overhead transparencies, hands-on exercises, and field exercise. Topics: Upland Soils vs. Wetland Soils; Soil Features Associated with Wetlands. Several sites will be visited that have varied wetland and soil conditions. Participants will work in small groups and delineate the hydric soil boundary using the MassDEP Methodology. Field equipment will be provided. Lunch and soil workbook included.

To register click HERE.

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Housatonic River Clean Ups
Help us get the trash out of our river!
Organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team(BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA)

Saturday, June 22 - Pittsfield

Volunteer for the River! Participate in a river clean up organized by HVA, BEAT, First Church on Park Square and South Congregational Church in Pittsfield.  On Saturday, June 22 help clean up the West Branch of the Housatonic River in Pittsfield. Meet at 9:00 am at Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield. Clean up groups will be organized to work north and south of the new river access and in other locations of the West Branch. Canoes will be used to move collected trash to an exit point. Volunteers are recommended to wear old sneakers or waders (a few pairs of waders will be available to borrow) and to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.  Trash bags and work gloves are provided. Thanks to donations from local businesses volunteers will enjoy morning coffee, snacks and lunch. Pouring rain or thunder cancels.  For more information or to register for a clean-up, please call HVA at 413-394-9796 or call BEAT at 413-230-7321 or send an email to  jane@thebeatnews.org or adixon@hvatoday.org. Cosponsored by the City of Pittsfield and American Rivers.

 

 
Saturday, July 27 - Pittsfield

Volunteer for the River! Participate in a river clean up organized by HVA, BEAT, First Church on Park Square and South Congregational Church in Pittsfield. On Saturday, July 27 help clean up the West Branch of the Housatonic River in Pittsfield. Meet at 9:00 am at Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield. Clean up groups will be organized to work north and south of the new river access and in other locations of the West Branch. Canoes will be used to move collected trash to an exit point. Volunteers are recommended to wear old sneakers or waders (a few pairs of waders will be available to borrow) and to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.  Trash bags and work gloves are provided. Thanks to donations from local businesses volunteers will enjoy morning coffee, snacks and lunch. Pouring rain or thunder cancels. For more information or to register for a clean-up, please call HVA at 413-394-9796 or call BEAT at 413-230-7321 or send an email to jane@thebeatnews.org or adixon@hvatoday.org. Cosponsored by the City of Pittsfield and American Rivers.


DATE:  Saturday, August 10
TIME:  9:00am – 1:00pm (approximate ending time)
MEETING LOCATION:  Housatonic River Walk at the end of Church Street, Great Barrington
DETAILS:  We will focus on removing trash from the banks and the river bottom below the Housatonic River Walk and south. Several tires need to be removed. Canoes will be used to transport people and trash. PFDs (life jackets) are required by participants using canoes or in the water.   
What YOU should bring: Water, sunscreen, insect repellent, change of clothes
What WE provide:  Morning snacks! LUNCH! Trash bags and gloves. PFDs where necessary.
Let us know you are coming!  Contact Alison Dixon at adixon@hvatoday.org (tel 413-394-9796) or Jane Winn at jane@thebeatnews.org   (413-230-7321).

Founded in 1941, HVA protects and restores the land and waters of the Housatonic watershed from its source in the Pittsfield, Massachusetts area to Long Island Sound.  Visit www.hvatoday.org for more information.

BEAT works to protect the environment for wildlife, keeps the public informed of current local issues that could have an impact on the environment, and helps people work together to take action to protect the environment. Visit www.thebeatnews.org for more information.

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2013 International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy

We are pleased to announce that Penn State's Center for Pollinator Research will be hosting the 2013 International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy.  The conference will be held from August 14-17, 2013, at University Park, PA.  A major theme for this year's conference will be examining the effects of environmental contaminants on pollinators, along with symposia focusing on pollinator behavior, physiology, host-parasite interactions, conservation, ecosystems services, and policy.

For more information, please see the attached pdf or visit the conference website: ento.psu.edu/pollinators/conference-2013

Online registration and submission of abstracts for oral and poster presentations will be available in early February 2013.  If you are interested in receiving an email when registration opens, please send
a message to csco@psu.edu

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August 17, 2013 the Berkshire County 4-H Fair Association will be holding its 73rd annual Youth Fair.  This fair takes place at the Berkshire County 4-H Fairgrounds on Utility Drive (off Holmes Road) in Pittsfield from 9am-5pm and is FREE.  (no entry fee, no parking fee)  The fair itself is put on by youth for youth.  Any youth between the ages of 5 and 18 can enter the fair, the only rules are that the youth fall within that age range and that whatever they enter is their own (made by them, grown by them, raised by them).  The book to enter the fair will be available soon on the Massachusetts 4-H website, www.mass4h.org.

Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Angelica Paredes

Extension Educator

UMass Extension

Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development Program

Ph. (413) 448-8285

 

UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer,

United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.

 

4-H is NOT about winning.  It's NOT about doing better than others.

4-H IS about doing the best you can.  It IS about being the best you

can be.  It IS about making this world the best it can be.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CHARACTER!  -Rutgers Cooperative Extension Leader Training Series

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Bascom Lodge celebrates its 75th Anniversary from June 1 through October 20.

75th Anniversary Program Highlights

JULY

July 13 &14 Bascom Lodge's 75th Anniversary Celebration Weekend
The festivities kick off on Saturday, July 13, with the raising of a Native American tipi, a mountain blessing, and drumming, from 12 to 4 p.m.

On Sunday, July 14, the celebration continues with Bascom Lodge's first annual Jazz Festival, in collaboration with Topia Arts Center. Hours TBD. The events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, July 24: The Civilian Conservation Corps and Bascom Lodge
Alec Gillman, a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Ranger at Mount Greylock State Reservation, presents an illustrated talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on Mount Greylock and the building of Bascom Lodge. Held in the lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. Free.

AUGUST

Sunday, August 11: America Eats! On the Road with the WPA - the Fish Fries, Box Supper Socials, and Chittlin' Feasts That Define Real American Food
Pat Willard explores the regional nooks and crannies of American cuisine: Places where Works Project Administration (WPA) writers such as Eudora Welty, Saul Bellow, Ralph Ellison and Nelson Algren, among countless others, were dispatched in 1935 to document the roots of America's diverse culinary cuisine. Held in the lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. Free.
A prix fixe dinner based on menus from the book will be offered after the talk and book signing. For reservations, contact  mail@bascomlodge.net 

Wednesday, August 21: The WPA and CCC in Massachusetts
Max Grinell discusses the projects done by the WPA and CCC in Massachusetts during the 1930s. Held in the lobby from 6 to 7 p.m. Free.    
For more information: http://bascomlodge.net/Events.html
  

In addition to 75th Anniversary programs and events, Bascom Lodge presents a diverse and lively schedule of weekly talks and presentations relating to nature, history, science, cuisine, and music from June through October. A complete schedule of programs, events, special activities for families and children, and dining menus is available online at http://bascomlodge.net 

In conjunction with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires, the Lodge will offer eight art and photography workshops on Sundays in June, July and August. For more information: http://bascomlodge.net/Workshops.html 

About Bascom Lodge
Bascom Lodge is a landmarked historic building in Adams, Mass. The Lodge was constructed between 1932-1938, using native materials of Greylock schist and red spruce. It was a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal jobs program during the Depression, and is a classic example of the rustic Arts and Crafts-style design of period park structures. The Lodge was named in honor of John Bascom, a Greylock Reservation Commissioner and Williams College professor, who had a strong association with the mountain during his lifetime.

Bascom Lodge is open daily from June 1 through October 20, 2013. The restaurant and café provide a varied and changing menu inspired by regional American cuisine, emphasizing fresh, organic, locally produced foods. Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m.; lunch from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and a prix fixe dinner is served at one seating at 7 p.m., for which reservations are required. A Sunset Beverage Hour is offered Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. with wine and beer available for purchase. The Lodge has six private guest rooms and two shared co-ed rooms with bunk beds and can accommodate 34 overnight guests. Bascom Lodge also hosts weddings, private events and retreats.

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August 23-25, The 2013 Solidarity and Green Economy Conference, Worcester, MA,

Worcester SAGE announces the 3rd Annual Solidarity and Green Economy Conference Please plan on joining activists, organizers, educators, community leaders, non-profits and other individuals and organizations who are committed to forging more equitable and sustainable ways of organizing our economies and communities. 

As the increasing efforts across the state around sustainable, cooperative and alternative economics attest, another economy is possible. In order to embrace and support the growing movement, this year's conference will take place over the course of 3 days. Sessions, workshops, and discussions will help to plan and enact solidarity economy initiatives and relationships, launch new and support existing campaigns, and discuss the possibilities of a statewide solidarity economy initiative.

More details including specific location in Worcester, overview of the days' events, and registration information coming soon.

In the meantime, to learn more about Worcester SAGE, to get involved in planning this year's conference, and to watch comprehensive video footage of last year's conference, go to http://www.worcestersagealliance.org/

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Project Native Events Calendar

Summer Butterfly & Bug Safaris

Saturday, June 22nd, 9:30am - 10:30am
Sunday, June 30th, 10:00am - 11:00am
Saturday, July 6th, 9:30am - 10:30am
Saturday, July 20th, 9:30am - 10:30am
Saturday, July 27th, 9:30am - 10:30am
Saturday, August 10th, 9:30am - 10:30am
Saturday, August 24th, 9:30am - 10:30am

Participants will gather at Project Native (weather permitting – must not be raining, preferably sunny). The group will get a brief overview of Project Native and the Butterfly House. The group will then leave on safari to find and collect eggs, caterpillars and butterflies to relocate into the Butterfly House.

Participants will learn tricks for finding eggs and caterpillars, ways to identify host plants and ecologically harvest food for caterpillars in the Butterfly House. All ages are welcome to participate. Please note, safaris do require walking on uneven ground, and children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

Family Yoga in the Garden

Saturday, June 22nd, 9:30am - 10:30am
Sunday, June 30th, 10:00am - 11:00am

Come join Morgan as she takes us on a yoga journey through the farm, we will buzz with the bees, stand tall as trees, jump like frogs, and be still and relax with the nature around us! Bring water and a yoga mat (if you have one—but don’t worry if you don't).

Morgan Windram-Geddes is a yoga teacher in Scotland who works with all age groups but her passion is working with children and young people whose ability to let their imaginations and creativity run wild comes naturally! Morgan has received her 200 hour teaching qualification from the Independent Yoga Network in Scotland. She currently teaches regular group classes to beginners and advanced adult yoga students and is also working with individuals with specific needs. Being outdoors is the place where she feels most 'at home' and therefore anticipates the opportunity to bring yoga to the gardens at Project Native.


Native Flower Arranging

Saturday, August 24th, 9:00am - 12:00 noon
(Raindate Sunday, August 25th)

Project Native is pleased to offer a floral design workshop lead by Lou Kratt. Lou has worked in several Columbia County florists as well providing floral design work for Berkshire Botanical Garden and Project Native.

Participants will learn how to collect native flowers from Project Native seed bank and meadow as well as conditioning of flowers, basic design tips, and methods of preserving flowers. Creative ideas for unique containers will be discussed as well as using branches and grasses to achieve unique designs.

Each participant will collect flowers/greens, learn conditioning methods, and will design their own arrangement to take home.

Fee: $20
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Call 413-274-3433 to register.

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*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & Mass Audubon Present: Sunday June 2nd 9am-12:30pm National Trails Day "Ghost town” Trek Tamarack Hollow & Windsor State Forest with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Tamarack Hollow Trading Post will be open – bring cash/check.  Register/pay fee at www.massaudubon.org or call (413) 584-3009. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*The Berkshire Eastern Mountain Sports & Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center Present: Sunday June 2nd 1pm National Trails Day Cellar Hole Reclamation project at Notchview Reservation in Windsor with Berkshire Eastern Mountain Sports Staff & Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. RSVP to: aimee@gaiaroots.com or call EMS at 413-445-4967. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center presents: Volunteer Trail Work Days! Saturday June 22nd 10am.  Come help this newly formed non-profit environmental center clear and blaze trails in Windsor, MA with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Email: aimee@gaiaroots.com to register. Food provided for participants.   Visit www.tamarackhollow.com for more info about the center & directions.

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire Present: Saturday June 29th 9-1 Old Growth Trees & Spectacular Views Hike at Monroe State Forest with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. FREE/Donations accepted. Register by emailing: aimee@gaiaroots.com. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & Mass Audubon Present: Saturday July 13th 10-1 Northern Boreal Forest Tree/Plant ID Hike at Tamarack Hollow, Windsor with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Tamarack Hollow Trading Post will be open – bring cash/check.  Register/pay fee at www.massaudubon.org or call (413) 584-3009. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center presents: Volunteer Trail Work Days! Saturday July 6th 10am.  Come help this newly formed non-profit environmental center clear and blaze trails in Windsor, MA. Email: aimee@gaiaroots.com to register. Food provided for participants.   Visit www.tamarackhollow.com for more info about the center & directions.

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & the Dalton Cultural Council Present: Wahconah Falls Natural & Cultural History Walk – Talc Mines, Waterfalls, Glacier Erratics and MORE! Saturday July 21st 9am-11am with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. FREE/Donations accepted. Register by emailing: aimee@gaiaroots.com. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & The Trustees of Reservations Present: Tuesday July 23rd 8-10pm Full Moon Hike at Notchview Reservation, Windsor, MA with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Register/pay fee 413.532.1631 x10 or email pvregion@ttor.org. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & The Trustees of Reservations Present: Saturday July 27th 11am-1pm Chesterfield Gorge Exploration of the Westfield River Watershed with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Register/pay fee 413.532.1631 x10 or email pvregion@ttor.org. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & The Trustees of Reservations Present: Saturday August 3rd 10am-12noon Bryant Homestead Big Trees & Stories of Land Hike, Cummington with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Register/pay fee 413.532.1631 x10 or email pvregion@ttor.org. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com 

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire Present: Saturday August 10th 9am-12noon Carnivorous Plants & Wetland plant/tree ID hike to Bog Pond at Savoy State Forest with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. FREE/Donations accepted. Register by emailing: aimee@gaiaroots.com. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center & Mass Audubon Present: Saturday August 17th 9-1 Berkshire Plateau "Drowned Lands” Watershed Backcountry Hike, at Tamarack Hollow in Windsor, MA with Naturalist Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Tamarack Hollow Trading Post will be open – bring cash/check.  Register/pay fee at www.massaudubon.org or call (413) 584-3009. More info at www.tamarackhollow.com

*Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center presents: Volunteer Trail Work Days! Saturday August 31st 10am.  Come help this newly formed non-profit environmental center clear and blaze trails in Windsor, MA. Email: aimee@gaiaroots.com to register. Food provided for participants.   Visit www.tamarackhollow.com for more info about the center & directions.

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“CHARCOAL BEFORE the BRIQUET “
A Brief History of the Charcoal Industry

Illustrated lecture by Shirley Sutton at Bascom Lodge (Event Flier pdf)

Mount Greylock - Adams, MA
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 @ 6pm  
Free admission.

Fixed price dinner follows – dinner reservations required.
www.bascomlodge.net                    
413-743-1591

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HVA Offers Free River Paddle Trips

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) invites you to paddle the Housatonic River this summer. Choose from five paddle trips which will explore the natural beauty and historical significance of the Housatonic River. The trips are diverse and include paddling the headwaters in Hinsdale and negotiating numerous beaver dams to an easy flat water paddle of the Housatonic as it flows into Connecticut. For all but the Hinsdale trip, you may reserve a canoe. Registration is required -- for further information and to register contact HVA at 413-394-9796.

To celebrate National Trails Day, on Saturday, June 1st from 9am – 3pm we invite you to bring your own boat and paddle the headwaters of the Housatonic, the Hinsdale Flats.  This trip begins at Bullards’ Crossing in Hinsdale and ends in Hinsdale Center, almost 6.5 miles. Participants must be in good physical condition as we navigate over 20 beaver dams.  Additional trip information will be provided upon registration. Participants will be asked to help shuttle cars and boats.

On Wednesday, June 19th, join us at 3pm for an early evening, short paddle trip that will allow you to explore the Housatonic as it flows through Lee. Experience is helpful for this stretch which begins at the Athletic Field on Housatonic Street in Lee and ends about 5 miles further downriver behind the HVA office in South Lee. There is some quick water and downed trees to negotiate at the beginning.  Participants are invited join in a potluck meal afterwards. Russ Cohen, who works for the Massachusetts Department of Ecological Restoration, will paddle along with us and provide insights into the river’s ecology, including the importance of leaving fallen trees in the river, what animals we might encounter and identifying invasive plants along the river corridor.

Explore Stockbridge on Wednesday, July 31st from 3:00pm – 6:30pm and learn about the original residents of the Housatonic Valley. This easy, family friendly trip of 4.5 miles will take you past the Country Club and to the Glendale dam. The trip will end just before the dam at a new official access installed in 2012.

Extend your paddling experience into Connecticut on Saturday, September 14th during our 10+mile flat water paddle from New Milford to Bridgewater. This trip will include paddling through the high canyon walls of Lover’s Leap Gorge.

Fall colors will highlight the last paddle trip of the season on Saturday, October 5th as we paddle from Rannapo Road to Falls Village in Connecticut. In addition to enjoying the autumn foliage, we will learn about nineteenth century industry in the HousatonicValley.

HVA will supply canoes and life jackets for those who reserve them (except for the June 1st paddle, as noted above). Paddlers who bring their own canoes or kayaks must also have life jackets for everyone in their group. Other items that should be brought along are drinking water, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and snacks.

Dennis Regan, HVA Program Director, said, “Our paddle trips of the Housatonic and its tributaries allow people to experience the beauty of the river valley. What better way to learn about the river than to paddle on it?"
  
The event is free but pre-registration is required. Each trip is limited to 15 people. For more information and to register, please contact Alison Dixon at HVA’s office in Lee, Massachusetts, 413-394-9796, or email her at adixon@hvatoday.org.

HVA, a tri-state nonprofit citizen’s environmental group founded in 1941, works to conserve the natural character and environmental health of its communities by protecting and restoring the land and waters of the 2,000-square-mile Housatonic watershed from its source in the Pittsfield, Massachusetts area to Long Island Sound. HVA is monitoring water quality, adding sections to the Housatonic RiverBelt Greenway (linking preserved space along the Housatonic River with hiking and biking trails), and using computer mapping to help towns measure the impact and benefits of land use and development. HVA also sponsors the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative in protecting more land across northwest Connecticut. It has offices in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut; South Lee, Massachusetts and Wassaic,

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Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants Classes in MA
Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants: Seeing through the Eyes of the Forager

Our wild edibles classes are designed to teach how to:

  • identify
  • process
  • prepare
  • cook
  • preserve
  • eat on the spot

Our Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plant classes provide valuable knowledge!
Join us for this unique experience and come away with skills in correct identification of wild edibles and medicines you can find right outside your back door. You will learn how and when to harvest by season and in what habitat to seek out your favorite wild edibles. Additionally you will learn how to harvest with intention; keeping in mind the importance of the responsibility we have as foragers and earth stewards. A responsible, attentive forager always finds a meal!

WHO: Adults
WHERE: Various Locations in the Hilltowns and Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts
WHEN: Monthly throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall
HOW MUCH: Depending upon location, range from $40-$65 PREPAID, sliding scale, per Workshop ($45-$70 if paid day of Workshop)

WILD EDIBLES & MEDICINAL PLANTS IMMERSION 2013

  • Sunday, June 2, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Sunday, July 7, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Saturday, August 17, Edibles & Medicinals 1:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Saturday, September 28, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Sunday, October 27,  1:00 – 4:00 pm
  • Saturday, November 16, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Books are great resources but direct experience with a knowledgeable person is invaluable.

Click here to register.

We plan on meeting with small groups only, so register now to ensure your participation!

Click here to read from our many blog posts about Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants.

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Pittsfield Tree Watch (6/13)

Pittsfield Tree Watch meets the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Pittsfield Senior Center, 330 North Street, from 4-5:30 pm. Please come and learn more about what is happening to increase the number of trees in Pittsfield!

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The Berkshire Conservation District holds open public meetings every third Tuesday of the month at 4pm at 78 Center Street, Room 206, Conte Federal Building in Pittsfield.

6/18

In cooperation with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the district provides technical assistance to landowners in the conservation and management of natural resources throughout the county. The district is a sponsor of the state-wide Massachusetts Envirothon and provides scholarships to Berkshire Community College and UMASS students.

The district is governed by seven supervisors who serve for three year terms. The current slate of supervisors are:
Robert Lear, Chairman
Tony Boyer, Vice-Chair
Kevin Zimmer, Treasurer
Dave Jurczak, Dennis Mareb
Ned Kirchner, Bill Florek
The public are welcome to attend monthly meetings. For more information please call the office at (413) 443-1776 or visit the website: www.berkshireconservation.org

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Green Drinks-Great Barrington - 6/6

The next Great Barrington Green Drinks is Thursday, June 6th, at Route 7 Grill, from 5:15 on.

 

As always there will be deliciously free d'oeuvres, courtesy of our lovely/handsome Route 7 hosts, and gloriously free copies of the new issue of Orion magazine for your enjoyment.

What exactly is Green Drinks? Well, it's a monthly social event hosted by the folks who create Orion magazine, for people like you and I interested in everything from environmental education to local agriculture, the arts, green business & design, and the ways all of these intersect. We usually have 50 or so folks from around the area stop by.

So grab a friend or two and bring them down to share what you're working on (green or not) and meet others active in the community.

Please forward this on to your friends & contacts...the more the merrier.

Best wishes,

Erik
-- 
Erik Hoffner
Orion magazine

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Green Night -2nd Wednesdays, Clarion Hotel, Northampton

Western Mass Green Consortium (WMGC)

We have some exciting news to share..!  

Green Night is back by popular demand..!!  and you're invited to join in the fun and green learning this coming Wednesday, June 12th, 2013!

Time and location: 4pm at the Clarion Hotel & Cafe, located at 1 Atwood Drive, Northampton Ma.   

Please see the WMGC Website for more exciting details....!  www.westernmassgreenconsortium.org

Thank you to the Northampton Brewery!!!
We have had four years of amazing Green Night events thanks in part to the generosity of the Northampton Brewery for hosting our Green Night events...!  Thanks goes out to Janet Egelston and her amazing staff for taking good care of us and helping us build this event into a recognized asset for our community!  Unfortunately the Brewery will no longer be able to accommodate this event at there facility but we encourage you to make it a point to thank them for all their support by having some dinner and locally brewed beers on tap!

Thank you to our founders!!!
We have a long list of volunteers and financial contributors that have helped to make the WMGC and Project Retrofit possible.  We will be having a special "Founding Members Appreciation Event" at some point this summer.  Stay tuned for more details!

WMGC Next Steps..
More details coming soon for Green Night 2013 and other activities being brainstormed right now..!  If you would like to find our how to get involved please contact Andrew Baker at bakera@gcc.mass.edu or Nancy Bair at nancycbair@gmail.com

Thanks everyone, I hope to see you all soon!
Sean Jeffords
Western Mass Green Consortium

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Lenox Green Drinks
SUSPENDED
Firefly, 71 Church Street, Lenox

Thank you Firefly, but the organizing committee has suspended Lenox Green Drinks for the time being. (There will not be a Green Drinks on May 28.)

Lenox Green Drinks was hosted by the Lenox Green-Rainbow Party Town Committee.

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North Adams Green Drinks - gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcome

2nd Wednesday of each month!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013
starting at 5:30 pm
6:30  "Kill All The Weeds.....Are You Crazy?" a presentation by Tony Pisano and Shira Wohlberg
 Freight Yard Pub, Western Gateway Heritage Park

On Wednesday, June 12, North Adams Green Drinks starts at 5:30 pm at the Freight Yard Pub. At about 6:30, we will have a short presentation by Tony Pisano and Shira Wohlberg. Tony and Shira are gardeners, and gardeners are supposed to hate weeds, right? But, they are also local beekeepers and know the importance of weeds as a great source of food for honey bees and many native insect pollinators.

Tony and Shira are both very concerned with many practices that are unfriendly toward weeds such as the use of multi-purpose lawn treatments that kill insects and weeds, large scale monoculture, the use of roundup, and ordinances that only allow people to have well cut front lawns. All of these things affect bees and other native pollinators in a negative way. The pair will bring some samples of good weeds, photos of insects foraging on weeds, and discuss how you can incorporate good weeds into your yard to benefit honey and native  bees.

They will, of course talk about keeping bees and show some parts of the hives that Tony builds as well as have copies of his book for sale: Build Your Own Beekeeping Equipment: How to Construct 8- & 10-Frame Hives; Top Bar, Nuc & Demo Hives; Feeders, Swarm Catchers & More. Beekeeping equipment is expensive, but it's easy to make your own.

Coming up on July 10th, a presentation by Ed Stockman will discuss why genetically modified foods should be labeled in America.

North Adams Green Drinks is a very informal gathering, open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green, but our conversations are.

Every month, on the second Wednesday, beginning at 5:30 pm we invite you to gather for "Green Drinks" at the Freight Yard Pub in the Western Gateway Heritage Park.  Please join us on the 2nd Wednesday, for a casual gathering of environmentally inclined folk talking about anything from wildlife crossings to recycling, wetlands to weatherizing. What would you like to talk about? We usually meet upstairs. Come and join the conversation. 

Green Drinks in North Adams is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Northern Berkshire Transitions.

Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured. Come along and you'll be made welcome.

For more information about North Adams Green Drinks, contact Bruce Winn at BEAT (bruce@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321).

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Springfield, MA Green Drinks

6/6
Theodores' Blues Booze & BBQ in Springfield, Massachusetts

Who We Are
Green Drinks Springfield is the local Springfield, MA meetup for citzens, professionals, and public servants interested in sustainability, renewable energy, all things "green," the environment, and the new Green Movement. Whether a seasoned professional in a green business or just curious to find out what the buzz is about you are welcome!

Green Drinks is an agenda-less, non-dues-paying open social event. Come and find out more!

Where You Can Find Us Online:
www.greendrinks.info
www.facebook.com/GreenDrinksSpringfield
www.linkedin.com/groups/Green-Drinks-Springfield-MA

Occurs the 1st Thursday of every Month, 5:30-7:30 at Theodores' Blues Booze & BBQ in Springfield, Massachusetts
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Pittsfield Green Drinks - gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcome - every 3rd Tuesday of the month

Pittsfield Green Drinks
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
starting at 5:15 pm
6:30 pm short presentation by Ed Stockman on labeling of genetically modified foods.
at
Mad Jack's BBQ
295 North St, Pittsfield, MA 01201  
sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)

Pittsfield Green Drinks is a very informal gathering, open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green, but our conversations are. 

June 18th, Ed Stockman will discuss why genetically modified foods should be labeled in America. The United States and Canada are the only two industrial nations that do not require mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods.

Coming up:

  • July 16th, Elia Del Molino from BEAT will ask, "Where do you see wildlife crossing our roads?" Please join us to find out how BEAT is partnering with land protection organizations, watershed organizations, towns, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to find the most critical locations for wildlife to cross our roads, and then to devise a plan to help them cross.
  • August 20th, Project Native will be presenting.

Green Drinks in Pittsfield is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).  

What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field meet for a beer and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from Non-profit organizations, academia, government and business.

Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured. Come along and you'll be made welcome.

For more information about Pittsfield Green Drinks, contact Jane Winn at BEAT (jane@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321).

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Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma
atholbirdclub.org

Athol Bird & Nature Club Field Trips & Meetings 2012
Unless otherwise noted, programs meet at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol.  If weather is questionable on a field trip day, please call the trip leader at least an hour before the scheduled meeting time.

Saturday, May 25, 7 a.m.              Exploring Quabbin: Prescott Peninsula
Meet Larry Therrien at the DCR headquarters parking lot, off Rte 202 in New Salem for this natural history exploration of Interior Quabbin. Limited to 10 participants, with preference given to ABNC members. Reservation required. To reserve your spot, e-mail Larry at larrytherrien@hotmail.com.

Sunday, May 26, 7 a.m.                 Early Bird Birding with Jeff
Join Jeff here at the Center before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels. Info: Jeff Johnstone,


Athol Bird and Nature Club on Facebook

Dave Small
president
Athol Bird and Nature Club
Millers River Environmental Center
100 Main Street Athol Ma 01331
Dave@dhsmall.net
978-413-1772

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Hoffmann Bird Club Schedule

The Hoffmann Bird Club is Berkshire County’s premier ornithological organization. It was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in the county. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum and was named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann, a naturalist born in Berkshire County. The trips and events are free and open to the public.

Meetings: are held at Berkshire Life Insurance, 700 South St., Pittsfield  01201 (499-4321), or at Pleasant Valley Sanctuary, 427 W. Mountain Rd., Lenox  01240 (637-0320). Consult the schedule for specific dates and locations. Most meetings begin at 7:00PM and are open at no charge to everyone interested in birds. Come enjoy the scheduled program and light refreshments.

Field Trips: Times listed are departure times; please arrive a few minutes early to meet the leader(s) and carpool when possible. Call the Trip Leader if you have questions.

Trips, running now, September 2012 thru August 2013

Click here for the Hoffmann Bird Club's website.


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