Calendar of Events

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

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POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY/MARCH

CCC Meeting with EPA, DEP, and General Electric Company


The next Citizens Coordinating Council (CCC) meeting with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the General Electric Company (GE) will be February/March. No details on where yet. These meetings are free and open to the public. There is a group (the CCC) of people representing various interests around the Berkshires who have a "seat at the table". Most of these CCC members attend these meetings whenever they are held (3-8 times a year) and try to hold GE accountable for the best cleanup we can get.

The following is in response to a number of recent inquires about the status of the ongoing discussions among the state and federal regulatory agencies. There will likely be additional meetings scheduled at the end of this month. Please contact me if you have any questions.

The U.S. EPA and the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut and have been meeting this fall to discuss remedial options for the Housatonic Rest of River. They have been working with seriousness, diligence, and cooperation. The agencies have met among management, technical leads, and technical and legal staff to discuss a range of topics. These include:

  • Standards and regulations guiding cleanup
  • The physical components and structures of the River (riffles, runs, pools, etc.) and its associated ecosystem and habitats
  • PCB contamination in Woods Pond
  • PCB contamination in river sediment
  • PCB contamination in river bank soil
  • PCB contamination in floodplain soil
  • A host of ideas, options, and alternatives to address protection of human health and the environment and preservation of valued habitats, ecosystems, and the natural functions and movement of the River

Over the next several weeks, the agencies intend to continue the in-depth technical discussion and anticipate completion of the deliberations in the first part of 2012. Then, a briefing and a schedule update for the general public will be provided.


Jim Murphy
United States Environmental Protection Agency
New England - Region 1
Office of the Regional Administrator
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code ORA 01-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
617-918-1028 (phone)
617-721-2868 (cell phone)
617-918-0028 (fax)

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How You Can Help Move the Keystone XL/Climate Fight into the Election Year

On Wednesday, February 1 at 3 pm eastern/12 noon pacific time, the Climate Reality Check coalition will hold the latest in our series of national conference calls to help strengthen community organizing on climate, entitled: Moving the Keystone XL/Climate Fight Into the Election Year.

We are pleased to have Bill McKibben lead the discussion.

On the heels of President Obama’s decision to deny Trans Canada’s application for a permit to build the Keystone XL pipeline, we’ll discuss the key lessons from the successful campaign and what they mean for our work on climate during this election year.

We’ll discuss:

  • The significance of nonviolent civil disobedience;
  • The breadth of the alliance of organizations which worked together for this victory;
  • The key messages used by the campaign;
  • How Big Oil lost this round despite their power and money;
  • What’s next for the pipeline fight; and
  • If the campaign's intense focus on President Obama has implications for the climate movement in 2012.

Please RSVP here:
https://spreadsheets2.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFNyS3N0aEMzSnktR0c0UEkwY0NfQ0E6MQ

The call-in number is 209-647-1600 Code 615986.

Please feel free to spread the word. We look forward to speaking with you on the 1st.

The Climate Reality Check Coalition

If you have any questions please contact Rose Braz, Center for Biological Diversity, rbraz@biologicaldiveristy.org

Here's more info on our presenter:
Bill McKibben is the author of a dozen books about the environment, beginning with The End of Nature in 1989, which is regarded as the first book for a general audience on climate change. He is a founder of the grassroots climate campaign 350.org, which has coordinated 15,000 rallies in 189 countries since 2009 and helped spearhead the campaign against the Keystone XL pipeline. Time Magazine called him 'the planet's best green journalist' and the Boston Globe said in 2010 that he was 'probably the country's most important environmentalist.' Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, he holds honorary degrees from a dozen colleges, including the Universities of Massachusetts and Maine, the State University of New York, and Whittier and Colgate Colleges. In 2011 he was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Climate Reality Check Coalition has a new Facebook group!
It’s a space to comment or ask questions during our monthly climate movement building calls, listen to recordings of past calls, find resource material from our presenters, share and receive articles related to climate or spread the word about your events and actions, click here and join the group.

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OWS Movement Building Road Trip to Visit Northampton Wednesday February 1

The Occupy Wall Street Bio-Bus will be making an outreach trip in a couple of weeks making 14 stops including Northampton on Feb 1! Here’s the trip itinerary: http://bit.ly/y8DrM0. There will be 17 Wall Street Occupiers on the bus.

The objective of this trip is to strengthen the OWS network by deepening relationships between occupiers, increase OWS’s capacity through mutual transfer of skills and knowledge, and clarify OWS’s narrative by deepening its commitment to listening. The proposal was approved by OWS GA last year and was prepared by the Direct Action Working Group in consultation with others.

There is a working group at Occupy Wall St that is meeting with a working group in Northampton and we’ve created a google group to plan this event and I’ve volunteered to be the contact person for neighboring occupies. If anyone would like to join, let me know and I’ll send you an invitation to the group as well as the existing google documents.

In solidarity,
George Aguiar, geogruven@gmail.com

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Co-op Power Leadership Retreat: Strengthening Our Communities
Fri. February 3rd, 2012 5 pm through Sat. February 4th, 4 pm
Developing Co-op Power's Network of Local Organizing Councils

Description: At our last Roundhouse retreatCome join us create consensus about how we’re developing our de-centralized network of local organizing councils to be powerful vehicles for transforming communities to a more just and sustainable future at:
The Round House
68 Van Nuys Rd.
Colrain, MA

REGISTER HERE

Retreat Outcomes

  • A more developed and shared roadmap to local organizing councils (LOCs) development;
  • A self-assessment and development plan for each LOC.


Preparation Work

  • Each Council brainstorm a list of examples of most significant
    breakthroughs in each Councils history (those moments when we took a
    leap in our impact and internal capacity).
  • Each council brings a report to the retreat on which stage they’re in now.


Please contact leaders in your Local Organizing Council for building a report to the retreat on which stage they’re in now. You can bring them with you to the NESEA BE12 Conference this March 6-8 in Boston!

Hampshire - Tim Holcomb, tim@cooppower.coop
Boston - Alphonse Knight, alphonse@cooppower.coop
Franklin - Erik Hoffner, ehoffner@yahoo.com
S. Vermont - Tom Simon, tom@cooppower.coop
Hampden – Mark Tajima, mtajima30@comcast.net
Worcester - Dania Flores, Dania@cooppower.coop

Updated Agenda:
FRIDAY, February 3, 2012
________________________________________

6:00 pm DINNER
6:45 pm Welcome & Meeting Set Up

  • Welcome
  • Why we are here (goal, outcomes)
  • Review agenda
  • Introductions -- Set-up: We need to continue building our connections to each other, and trust, so that we can do some honest and deep work at this retreat. Let’s go around the room and briefly share the following:
    • Your name, your council, and how long involved
    • In terms of Co-op Power:
    • What is your greatest hope?
    • What do you find most challenging?

7:30 pm “A Dialogue on Organized Labor, Social Justice and
Sustainability with Joe Alvarez”
Joe will frame his background and his reflections on lessons related
to community organizing, labor, race, class, equity and justice.
He’ll talk about Occupy Wall Street and his understanding of how
movements and institutions relate to each other as they work for
justice and sustainability.
9:30 pm Adjourn

Bring instruments and dancing feet!

SATUDAY, February 4, 2012
________________________________________

8:00 am BREAKFAST
8:30 am Our Roadman to Transformative Local Organizing Councils

  • Presentation ---- Building Our Road Map -- Joe Alvarez
  • Elements and Stages of development
  • Define/clarify the questions:
    (1) Impact – Our core activities to change our communities.
    (2) Internal development – What enables us to carry out the work?
    (3) Vision – what will be build that transform our communities?
  • Build 3 teams
  • Gather Data
  • Process Data
  • Present to group

NOON LUNCH
12:45 pm LOCAL ORGANIZING COUNCILS

  • Self-assessment ---- Where are we in our LOC journey?
  • What are the most critical steps that get us to the next phase?

3:00 pm Next steps, take-aways, and evaluation
4:00 pm Adjourn

Description: https://img.createsend1.com/ei/y/F6/C97/304/csimport/IMG_1691.155707.jpgIf you are interested and not ready to register please email cyndee@cooppower.coop to hold your spot.

Childcare will be available. Please let us know how many children you will be bringing.

Anyone with dog or food allergies/sensitivity, please let us know as well.

Click here for the notes to our meeting on January 7th.

Co-op Power - 324 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA. 01301 - (877) 266-7543 - www.cooppower.coop

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West County Resilience Committee

Local Winter Food Events in February

The West County Resiliency Committee encourages everyone to go to at least one of the upcoming local food events in the Greenfield area. Instead of having our monthly meeting in February, we hope you will go to Second Congregational Church on Sat. Feb. 4th from 10am to 4pm to attend free workshops about growing, preparing, and preserving local food and a local food barter. Those of you who are gardeners and farmers can get recipe ideas and barter your extra potatoes, winter squash, or other produce and preserved foods for something different or you can buy hundreds of kinds of local products and produce and meet our local farmers (SNAP/ EBT will be accepted.)

Go to www.winterfare.org to learn about other events that will occur in early Feb. and in March.

Please email me at Emmastamas@gmail.org if you would like more information about this event or if you have a particular topic that you would like to share with the West County Resiliency Committee.

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Want to bring clean air and clean energy to the Pioneer Valley?

Join Sierra Club members for free pizza and discussion on how to move the Pioneer Valley away from dirty energy sources and towards a clean energy future.

We've been working through the fall to retire the old dirty Mt. Tom coal plant in Holyoke. The coal plant doesn't meet modern environmental protections and contributes to higher than average asthma rates in Holyoke. Learn how Sierra Club activists and local citizens have been working to get Governor Patrick's help cleaning our air. Whether you're hungry, inspired, or just curious, there's a place for you!

Event Details
WHO: You, friends, family and neighbors
WHAT: Sierra Club Coal Campaign and pizza
WHEN: Saturday, February 4th at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Paisano's Pizza, 136 College Highway, Southampton, MA

RSVP Today!

Thanks for all you do to protect the environment,

Drew Grande
Beyond Coal
Sierra Club

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Housatonic River Zebra Mussel Forum
“Slowing the Threat of Zebra Mussels in the Housatonic Watershed”
Working across borders: CT and MA working together to combat the spread of this invasive (& others)?

February 4, 2012 (Snow Date 2/11)
10:00a – 4:00p
Simons Rock College, Great Barrington, Massachusetts

Co-Sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association and Simons Rock College

For more information click here (pdf).

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Winter Wildlife Day at Field Farm in Williamstown on Sunday February 5 from 1 - 3 PM.

Learn what animals are doing in winter and identify the dried plants that grace the winter fields with naturalists Leslie Reed-Evans from the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation and Pamela Weatherbee on a guided hike at Field Farm in Williamstown on Sunday February 5 from 1 to 3 PM. Tracks in the snow tell stories of animal activities and many of our common plants have lovely forms best seen at this time of year.

All ages are welcome to this free event to enjoy the beauty of the winter trails, toast marshmallows around a campfire, drink hot cocoa, or build a snow animal in the wintry sculpture garden.

Be sure to wear warm boots and clothing, and feel free to bring skis or snowshoes if you have them. A few pair of snowshoes will be available to borrow at the event.

Field Farm is a conservation property of more than 300 acres, with extensive meadows and woodlands, 4 miles of easy trails, a beaver pond, and a variety of birds and animals, and is located at 554 Sloan Road, South Williamstown, MA. From Williamstown Center, follow Rt. 7 South towards South Williamstown. At the intersection with Rt. 43, take Rt. 43 West and immediately take a right onto Sloan Rd. Proceed 1 mi. to entrance on right. For more information, contact Cynthia Sommer at 413 532 1631 ext. 10.

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Seeing through the Eyes of Animals

Sunday, February 5, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Conway, MA

Have you ever been in the woods and wonder “who’s been here?” Join us for an introduction to the art and science of tracking. For teens, families, adults. $35, family rates are available. Visit www.earthworkprograms.com or call 413-522-0338 for more information!



Winter Schedule or click here for Calendar

Animal Tracking--Sunday, 2/5, 1:00-4:00 pm, families, adults, teens
Winter Wilderness Weekend--Saturday, 2/18-Sunday, 2/20, adults
Emergency Survival & Self-Sufficiency Skills--coming in February

Weekly Programs:
Heron & Swift Eagle Homeschool--Amherst, Fridays, 9:30 am-2:00 pm, 7+

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Mass Audubon to Lead Full Moon Snowshoe Hike February 7th at Pleasant Valley

Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary will host a guided Full Moon Snowshoe Hike for people of all ages and abilities on Tuesday, February 7th at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for this family-friendly fundraiser are $25 for non-members of Mass Audubon, and $20 for members, and can be purchased in person at the sanctuary located at 472 West Mountain Road in Lenox. Tickets for children under18 (must be accompanied by an adult) are free. Memberships will be available for purchase at registration, allowing for the member price to be honored.

Snowshoes will be available for use, free of charge. People who wish to borrow snowshoes should arrive at 6PM. Snowshoes can be reserved on a first-come basis by calling Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary at 413-637-0320. In the event of sparse snow coverage, the snowshoes will not be needed and hiking boots are recommended. Ice cleats are a good option for maximum traction on the trails. Participants should dress in warm layers, and may bring headlamps.

The evening promises to be a fun time for all. Attendees can chose the type of group they wish, ranging from a trail just for kids to a more moderate pace, led by Mass Audubon members and followed by a person at the end to keep everyone safe. After the hikers finish their trek, there will be a raffle drawing with prizes from local establishments. Tickets will be available for purchase at the registration table. Winners do not need to be present to win. Prizes will be items from local establishments.

After the hike, attendees will be treated to hot beverages, snacks, and a roaring fire in the fireplace of the barn.

Preregistration not required. For more information, contact:

Please call:

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-0320
berkshires@massaudubon.org

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LAPA-West (The Lakes and Ponds Association of Western Massachusetts)  Presents:
Methods for Controlling Nuisance Populations of Canada Geese
(Presentation by United States Department of Agriculture)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7pm
Lee Elementary School (cafeteria)
310 Greylock Street Lee, MA

Directions

The Elementary School is located behind the High/Middle School
The School’s driveway is just north of the High/Middle School

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Roundtable Discussion: Creative Free Play in a Commercialized World
A Community Conversation with Hilltown Families
Tuesday, Feb 7th from 6-7:30pm

[FLORENCE, MA] - Hilltown Families will host an informal roundtable discussion for parents, educators and community members interested in a dialogue about creative free play in a commercialized world on Tuesday, February 7th from 6-7:30pm at Cup & Top Cafe in Florence, MA, sponsored by Hilltown Families and the Northampton Public Schools.

WHAT: Roundtable Discussion on Creative Free Play in a Commercialized World: A Community Conversation with Hilltown Families
WHERE: Cup & Top Cafe, 1 North Main Street, Florence, MA
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb 7th, 2012, 6-7:30pm (Snow date: Feb. 21st)
COST: Discussion is Free. Dinner from Cup & Top is available through 6:30pm ($).
CONTACT: Hilltown Families, hilltownfamilies@gmail.com

On the heels of the holiday season, with another commercialized holiday approaching on Feb 14th (Valentine's Day), Hilltown Families invites parents, educators and community members to come together to informally discuss some of the challenges we face in an age of rampant commercialism and ubiquitous technology, while brainstorming together on ideas and strategies for preserving non-commercialized creative free play for our children.

This roundtable discussion will take place at Cup & Top Cafe in Florence, MA. Participants can purchase dinner from the cafe through 6:30pm. Free childcare is available in the cafe's playspace. To sign up for childcare, email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.

Hilltown Families roundtable discussions are part of a series of Community Conversations presented by Hilltown Families that invites the community to engage in conversations about raising healthy children including helping children develop a positive sense of self and empathy for others and the world around them.

For more information, visit www.HilltownFamilies.org or email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.

ABOUT HILLTOWN FAMILIES
Hilltown Families is an online grassroots communication network for families living in Western Massachusetts. www.HilltownFamilies.org

Founded in 2005 by longtime activist and Hilltown mother, Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families serves thousands of families in the Highlands Region of Western Massachusetts, including the Hilltowns, Pioneer Valley and parts of the Berkshires.

Through a dynamic award-winning web site, social networking, listserv, podcast, online bulletin boards, and collaborations with civic and nonprofit groups, Hilltown Families connects community and organizations throughout Western Massachusetts by helping residents share ideas, organize activities, support and supplement their children's education, and increase participation in community life.

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Home Composting Made Simple

In this FREE workshop you'll learn how simple it is to turn your daily food scraps into Black Gold for your houseplants, lawn and garden!

Attendees will participate in a hands-on demonstration of how to build an efficient and active compost pile. A good home compost system can improve lawns, gardens and houseplants; help the planet by reducing household waste volume; and save money by reducing waste costs and the expense of having to purchase all of your topsoil and/or compost in bags.

Please RSVP here.


Date

Time

Location

Saturday, February 4, 2012

10am - 12pm

First Congregational Church, 906 Main St, Williamstown, MA

Saturday, February 11, 2012

10am - 12pm

Ward's Nursery and Garden Center, 600 S Main St, Great Barrington, MA

Saturday, February 25, 2012

1pm - 3pm

Hadley Garden Center, 285 Russell St, Hadley, MA

For additional information, contact Aric Brown at aric.brown@cetonline.org or call 413-445-4556 ext. 30.

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Restoring the Dream of Democracy

A Public Conversation About Restoring the Dream of Democracy: CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION: CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT & FAIR ELECTIONS

When: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, February 8

Where: First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA

Public conversation to be led by: John Bonifaz, Legal Director of Voter Action and political activist specializing in constitutional law and voting rights, former candidate for Massachusetts Secretary of State, and co-founder of Free Speech for People

Sponsors: Williams College Political Science Department, First Congregational Church (Williamstown), Williams Students for Social Justice, Williamstown Town Democratic Committee, Lanesboro Town Democratic Committee, Progressive Democrats of America.

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Ice Dam Prevention Workshops

Ice Dam Prevention: Why they happen and what to do about it.

Did you have ice dams on your home last winter? Are you nervous about having more this year?

You are not alone! Last winter's snow and ice problems happened to many Massachusetts residents. Fortunately, we at CET are knowledgeable in building science and can help reduce the amount of ice dams that occur on your home. Join us!

Workshop Overview:
-Why Ice Dams are a Problem
-Underlying Causes
-Building Science
-Options for Remediation & Prevention
-Resources available to help with Weatherization

This seminar is free and open to the public. Please RSVP here.


Date

Time

Location

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

7:00 – 8:30pm

Berkshire Athenaeum Library, 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA

Thursday, February 9, 2012

6:00 - 7:30pm

North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St, North Adams, MA

For more information, Berkshire County residents please contact Aric Brown at (413) 445-4556 ext 30.
Pioneer Valley residents please contact Laura Biddulph at (413) 586-7350 ext 229.

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Ties to the Land: Planning for the Future of Your Woodland

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012

Learn the basic steps of succession planning for landowners, explore tips for discussing the topic with family members, pose questions to an experienced local attorney, talk to a certified forester, hear from a fellow landowner and meet Land Trust staff.

Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center
71 Main Street (Highway 2), Petersburgh, New York
$40/person, each additional family member $10

Includes refreshments, lunch, one copy/family of workbook and CD

http://SuccessionPlanning.ning.com

Call or e-mail Maureen Mullen (607) 254-6556 or mlm394@cornell.edu

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Integrated Pest Management for Professionals

Acclaimed author and horticulturalist Ron Kujawski will host an Integrated Pest Management class for professionals in the landscaping field.

Students will:
*Follow the key steps in implementing an IPM program for managing pests in a landscape setting.
*Be able to implement techniques for monitoring pest problems in landscapes.
*Learn shortcuts for identifying pests by using key plant/key pest concept.
*Understand the options for pest management and be able to decide on the management strategies that minimize disruption of the environment.

The training content will include:
*Identification
*Monitoring
*Economic Threshold (ARP)
*Knowing the Correct “Treatment”
*Knowing the Correct Timing for Treatments
*Record Keeping
*Evaluation

These are the basic steps in an IPM program. Each step will be described and discussed in detail with practical information on how to implement each step.


Date

Time

Location

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Berkshire South Community Center, 15 Crissey Rd, Great Barrington, MA

Monday, February 13th, 2012

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle St, Hadley, MA

Reservations required.

To register, please contact Aric at aric.brown@cetonline.org or call 413-445-4556 ext. 30.

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Woods Forum Programs

A Woods Forum program is an opportunity for landowners to ask questions about their land and get information from both local professionals as well as other landowners who have experience and advice to offer. Learn more about Woods Forum programs.

There are two upcoming Woods Forum programs:

  • Thursday, January 26th, at 6:30 P.M. at the West Brookfield Town Hall. Please RSVP to Tyler Van Fleet of the MassCon Partnership.
  • Monday, February 13th, at 6:30 P.M. at the Williamsburg Grange. Please RSVP to Wendy Sweetser of the Highland Communities Initiative.

Estate Planning Workshop
Love your Land? Then make a plan! This program will introduce landowners to the basics of conservation based estate planning and will include presentations by an attorney and a land protection specialist.

January 31st, 7 P.M. The Otters restaurant (formerly Stillwater at the Oxbow) Rt. 2 Charlemont. The program includes attorney Peter Ziomek. Please RSVP to Wendy Sweetser of the Highland Communities Initiative.

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Winter Wilderness Weekend for Adults

Saturday, February 18 through Monday, February 20

Chop wood, carry water, winter ecology, winter skills, animal tracking, fun…join Earthwork Programs this Winter in the woods! To be held in the foothills of the Berkshires.

$350-$450, sliding scale, includes food, lodging, hands-on workshops

Visit www.earthworkprograms.com or call 413-522-0338 for more information!

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Tamakoce Wilderness Programs First Winter Survival Overnight

Join us for a fun filled, deep winter survival experience!

Learn how to read the story in a set of animal tracks, make different types of snow shelters and even build a set of emergency snow shoes.

We’ll have a Snow Snake contest and have a try at throwing the rabbit stick. And of course, making fire by friction in the snow.
Then, you’ll get to try your new skills out in an outdoor overnight under the stars!

Ages:11-14
Cost: $95
Date: Feb. 21-22
Time: 9:30 Drop off

12:00 Pick up

Location: Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center

Register by Feb.10 at: info@tamakocewildernessprograms.com

Space is Limited so register now!

Dan Yacobellis
tamakocewildernessprograms.com
518-658-0328

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Winter Survival Day Camp

February 21 (Tuesday)- February 24 (Friday)
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ashfield
Ages 8+

Experience the WILD in winter in our beautiful forest and fields! While spending lots of time outdoors, we will track animals, build winter shelters, test our fire-making skills in the snow, share stories, play games. Bonus: we will also learn about ice safety and hypothermia and how to stay safe outdoors in the winter.

All of this for $225-300, sliding scale, for 4 days!

Register online (www.earthworkprograms.com) or call 413-522-0338 for details.

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Accessible Winter Recreation at Mt. Tom State Reservation

WHEN: The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Universal Access Program will offer cross-country skiing, kick sledding and snowshoeing for individuals with disabilities at Mt. Tom State Reservation in January and February. In the event of no snow or ice, hiking, nature walks and other activities will occur.

The Universal Access Program (UAP) provides recreational accessibility to state parks for individuals with disabilities, their families and friends. Free use of accessible equipment and staff assistance is available.

UAP strives to increase the participation among persons with disabilities in indoor and outdoor recreational activities in integrated settings. In January, February and March, UAP will offer ice skating, sit-skating, cross-country skiing, sit cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling and other winter activities at Massachusetts state parks. The program also offers accessible cycling, boating, hiking, bird watching and horseback riding in summer and fall.

Pre-registration is required. Call Starves Outdoor Access at 413 259-0009. Also, ask about volunteer opportunities

WHEN: Saturdays, February 4, 18 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, February 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Mt. Tom State Reservation, Located on Rt. 5 in Holyoke
Directions: Mass Pike (I-90) to exit 4, I-91N to exit 17A, Route 5 North for 4 miles. The Park entrance is to the left

413-534-1186 For more information on DCR’s Universal Access Program and a schedule of activities, and to confirm program status, call 413 575-5758 (voice) or 413-577-2200 (TTY) or visit www.mass.gov/dcr and click on “universal access program.”

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Snowshoe Hare February Vacation Camp

at Flying Deer Nature Center
February 23 & 24, 9 am to 3 pm each day
For kids ages 7 to 13.

Join us for awesome fun in the forest as we build snow shelters, track wild animals, play a game of fish hockey, and roast delicious food over a roaring fire!

Tuition: $65 for one day, $110 for both

Get details and register now at www.flyingdeernaturecenter.org.

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Earth Living skills classes and Documentary Series at Owl and Raven, a community center in the Maplewood Shops off Conz St., Northampton, MA

More Info at www.owlandraven.org Suggested donation 1-5$ to support the space

Join the 'Talon Team' from 4:30-6pm on Sundays. A weekly Earth living skills group open to all ages and interests! Learn wild edible plants, animal tracks, plant crafts, local human history, and more! From 6 to 6:30 is a mini potluck, then...

From 6:30 - ~8:00pm stay on for a movie series about the direct, personal relationships that we humans have forged with the many ecosystems which we have adapted to worldwide. We'll reflect on the role we play on planet Earth, and in the places we live.

EACH WEEK WE'LL WATCH A 'HUMAN PLANET' & AND A ' PLANET EARTH' EPISODE!

JANUARY AND FEB SCREENINGS

1/29 - Human Planet: Arctic – Narwhal hunting in Greenland, Saami reindeer herders, polar bear problems of Manitoba... caribou, wolves and tundra!

2/5 --- Human Planet: Deserts Finding wells in the sahara, underground aqueducts of Algeria… camels, snakes and cacti!

2/12 - Human Planet: Jungles – Honey hunting in Congo, Tree houses of West Papua... mushrooms, flooding rivers, bromeliads and treefrogs!

2/19 - Human Planet Episode 5: Mountains – Life in Thin Air Hunting with Golden Eagles in Mongolia; sulfur mining; Tibetan sky funeral…

2/26 - Human Planet Episode 6: Grasslands – Roots of Power Stealing food from lions; Birds direct young boys to honey; how to herd cattle with helicopters…

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Let's Improve Our Community. Together!

CHOOSE A NIGHT & COME AND TELL US HOW:

Monday, February 13, 2012
5:30 PM
Morningside Community School
Community Room
100 Burbank Street, Pittsfield, MA

OR

Monday, February 27, 2012
5:30 PM
Conte Community School
Community Room
200 West Union Street, Pittsfield, MA

 We want to hear your comments about the issues that affect your life such as:
HOUSING * PUBLIC FACILITIES * JOBS * CODE ENFORCEMENT * INFRASTRUCTURE * CHILDCARE * DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE * DOMESTIC VIOLENCE * ELDERLY SERVICES * NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES

These public input sessions are being sponsored by the Pittsfield Department of Community Development to assist in the preparation of the City's fiscal year 2013 Annual Action Plan, regarding the use of Pittsfield's community development resources.

If you are unable to attend the public input session, you can submit your written or oral thoughts by contacting the Department of Community Development, City Hall, 70 Allen Street, Room 205, Pittsfield, MA. Call (413) 499-9368 or TTY (413) 499-9340. Persons with special needs should contact the Department of Community Development and every effort will be made to accommodate your request.

The FY 2013 Annual Action Plan will address the needs of low and moderate-income persons and households as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

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Preschool Drop-In Nature Class at Sheep Hill

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is offering weekly drop-in nature classes for preschoolers at its Sheep Hill property in Williamstown from 1 PM to 2:30 PM beginning Tuesday February 7, through Tuesday February 28.

Winter is a fun time for children to get outside, and Sheep Hill, a conservation property and the headquarters of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, is the perfect place to experience and explore the natural world.

This child-friendly conservation property offers room to roam, and indoor facilities for getting out of the weather.

The weekly classes will include nature stories, crafts and activities, with topics such as animal tracks and adaptations, winter weeds, and weather. Naturalist and WRLF Director Leslie Reed-Evans will lead the class.

The cost for each session is $15 per child, $12 for WRLF members. Come to one session or all. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. The hour and a half classes will run through February 28. A parent or guardian must accompany each two children.

For more information or a registration form contact the WRLF at ruraland@wrlf.org, or 413- 458-2494.

The WRLF is a member-supported non-profit land conservation trust dedicated to preserving the rural New England character of Williamstown and which celebrated its 25th year in 2011. Sheep Hill, its headquarters, is located on Route 7, approximately a mile south of the Williamstown rotary. www.wrlf.org.

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What's Pestering You? Integrated Pest Management Workshop

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Lee Public Library, 100 Main Street, Lee, MA

In this free workshop, you will learn what integrated pest management practice is and the importance of managing your environment with less toxic pesticides and herbicides. A solid integrated plan draws on knowledge, experience and techniques from many different fields, to promote healthy plants, soils and tolerable pest levels. Using a management plan for your garden or in your home helps balance out the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and restores your natural landscape.

Topics Included:
*Integrated pest management practice
*What pests can be problematic
*Solutions to reducing pests that are safe for you, your children and your pets
*Ways to deter pests in your home, lawn and garden in the future

Please RSVP here.

For additional information, contact Aric Brown at aric.brown@cetonline.org or call 413-445-4556 ext. 30.

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MACC Annual Environmental Conference

Saturday, March 3, 2012
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester

  • Attendee registration coming soon as workshops are announced!

  • Call for Award Nominees!
    • Environmental Service Awards to be announced at 2012 AEC.
    • Deadline for Nominations: 11/18/11

General Information
The MACC Annual Environmental Conference is the largest yearly environmental conference in New England. Conservation Commissioners, local, state and federal environmental officials, consultants, attorneys, students and others enjoy a full day of activities. The Conference includes an Opening Session with keynote speakers; MACC Environmental Service Awards, and the election of MACC officers and directors. We offer over 40 workshop and training sessions taught by recognized experts, and over 40 exhibits and displays.
Held at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester

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Environmental Action 2012
Description: 25th Conference
Registration is now open online for the 25th AnniversaryEnvironmental Action 2012 on Saturday, March 3rd at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Register today and join 300 activists, experts, and community leaders from across New England for an unforgettable day of networking, skills training, and inspiration.

Whether you’re a veteran participant from all 25 years of Environmental Action or a first time attendee, don’t miss out on this exciting day!

Register now and get in for just $35. Or cosponsor as a group and receive an even bigger discount of two tickets for $60. (Lunch included in all tickets.) Register online or call 617-747-4362 for more details. Early bird registration closes February 15thand prices go up $10 after that date.

Can’t wait to see you on March 3rd!
Description: Meredith Small
Meredith Small
Toxics Action Center
Executive Director

“I usually walk into the conference in the morning feeling the weight of what sometimes feels like a perpetual struggle. I leave in the afternoon with a sense of exhilaration, having become intimately reacquainted with the number one underpinning of citizen organizing: the belief that anything is possible.”
-Richard Sherman, Mansfield Common Sense

“The chosen guest speaker was electrifying, and a motivational force that helped focus the audience on the core issues affecting us today, and the strength and perseverance that it takes to overcome them."
-Scott Jacobs, Residents of the Last Green Valley

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Museum Audubon related events

Workshops

Saturday, Feb. 18, 1-3 p.m., "Focus on Feeders": Make your own bird feeder and learn how you can participate in Mass Audubon’s annual Focus on Feeders backyard bird count. Free with museum admission; reservation required. 413-443-7171, ext. 10. Lecture

Friday, March 16, 7 p.m., "An Adventurous Artist’s Life": John James Audubon is known worldwide as the iconic wildlife artist, but his life was even more dramatic than his art. His finances went from the extremes of debtor’s prison to internationally successful businessman. In Europe he styled himself as "The American Woodsman," wearing buckskins and bear grease, while in America he gained entry to the drawing rooms of the wealthy through his European sophistication. Amy Montague, director of the Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center, will present a richly illustrated lecture about Audubon’s life, emphasizing his ties to Massachusetts. Free.

Offsite programming

Saturdays, Feb. 11 and March 3, 10 a.m.-noon, bird-banding demonstrations led by Christyna Laubach at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox: Watch a demonstration of the proper use of mist nets and banding of the birds. Participants help gather data and release the birds unharmed. Included with regular Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary admission of $4 adult, $3 children.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 8:30 a.m.-4
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

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Mass Audubon Birders Meeting

I am contacting you and your bird club to inform you that the Annual Massachusetts Birders Meeting will be held this spring on Saturday, 3 March at Bentley University in Waltham. This event will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Birders Meeting, and also that of our co-host in 2012, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. As you may know this popular get together is typically enjoyed by more than 250 attendees every year. The 2012 program, Birds, Baleen, and 20 Years of Marine Conservation, will feature a star-studded cast of presenters each highlighting a different aspect of marine bird, shorebird, and marine mammal conservation and research. Among the familiar names on this year’s program are:

· Dr. Steven Kress, well-known for his efforts to re-establish breeding Atlantic Puffins in the Gulf of Maine
· Debi Shearwater, founder of the well-known California tour company, Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
· Dr. David Wiley, Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary scientist highly acclaimed for his underwater studies of humpback whale foraging behavior
· Shawn Carey and Jim Grady (Migration Productions), professional nature photographers and videographers who will premier their new shorebird video, Epic Journeys
· Anne-Marie Runfola, Stellwagen Sanctuary Volunteer Coordinator who developed the highly successful Stellwagen Sanctuary Seabird Stewards volunteer program
· Dr. Julie C. Ellis, professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and Executive Director of the Seabird Ecological Assessment Network (SEANET) who has been studying breeding gulls at the Isles of Shoals for many years
· Brian Harrington, retired shorebird biologist at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences who has studied Red Knots for most of his professional career
· Joan Walsh, Director of Bird Monitoring at Mass Audubon and Coordinator of the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 2 sharing findings from the recently released State of the Birds of Massachusetts report

The Birders Meeting also includes lunch, vendors, and a variety of tantalizing raffle prizes. Proceeds from the Birders Meeting go toward supporting the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program. As an international initiative working to identify, prioritize, and monitor bird habitats which are essential to one or more species of breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds in Massachusetts, the IBA Program has taken on added significance as a result of the findings released in Mass Audubon’s recent State of State of the Birds report.

If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me and I’ll be happy to give you more information. To see full program details and obtain registration information for the Birders Meeting, visit: http://www.massaudubon.org/birdersmeeting

I look forward to seeing you at the Birders Meeting on 3 March.

Very sincerely,
Wayne
Wayne R. Petersen, Director
Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program
Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
(781) 259-2178
Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts

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Alexandra Dawson passed away on December 30, 2011. She died at home peacefully after battling emphysema. We all miss her wit, silly words and expressions, insightful analysis, and strong will. We are comforted by the warmth and beauty of the quilts she handmade for all of us, and by the deep sympathies expressed by colleagues, friends and family, near and far.


We invite you to join us at a memorial celebrating Alexandra’s life on Sunday, March 4, 2012, 2-4 pm in the Parish Hall of Grace Church, 14 Boltwood Ave, Amherst, MA.

We look forward to seeing you soon and sharing stories and memories of Sandra’s life, work, and friendships. Light refreshments will be served, directions below.* Please let us know if you can attend: alexandramemorial@gmail.com.


We include one of the many tributes and obituaries below, and are greatly amused by how many of the pieces about Sandra described her as “fierce,” “feisty,” “a force,” and appreciated her “salty language.” Apparently, everyone loved the same person we do – she was and is unique.

Some have asked about donations. In honor of Alexandra’s lifelong work and legacy for protecting the Earth, memorial gifts may be made in Alexandra’s name to The Kestrel Land Trust,
P.O. Box 1016, Amherst, MA 01004, or at www.kestreltrust.org.

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ELA Conference & Eco-Marketplace

3/7/12 and 3/8/12
Springfield, MA

Complete your ecological education circle at ELA'S 18th annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace, Coming Full Circle: Origins and Destinations. Delve into new ideas, methods, and products for restoration and stormwater control; reexamine maintenance, vegetation management, and design strategies. The largest and longest running ecological landscaping education and networking event in New England challenges the beginner, the seasoned expert, and everyone in between.

Wednesday, March 7th offers two intensive tracks: "Pro"active Protection of Wetlands: Conservation and Landscape Professionals Collaborate" and "Bringing Life to Urban Landscapes: New Ideas in Urban Ecology." The keynote luncheon features Mike Clough, international invasives authority from the United Kingdom. Evening activities include an optional trip to the Smith College Spring Bulb Show and ELA's 20th Birthday celebration.

The Conference lineup on Thursday, March 8th includes three concurrent education tracks covering a wide range of leading-edge topics, plus demonstrations, screening room, and an Eco-Marketplace showcasing ecological products, services, and technologies. When the Marketplace closes, enjoy a Jazz Social Hour. Wrap up your day with dinner and a keynote presentation by author and landscape designer Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design.

For additional information and registration, visit www.ecolandscaping.org/conference.

More details available December 15th.

Register Now!

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Annual Winter Conference

Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom will hold our 11th Annual Winter Growing Minds Through Massachusetts Agriculture Conference on Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at the Paul R. Baird Middle School in Ludlow. There will be four workshop sessions, with six concurrent workshops in each session related to the many different aspects of agriculture in the classroom. Each will be taught by a teacher or farm educator. The fee for the conference; all materials; breakfast snack; lunch from Randall's Farm in Ludlow, and professional development is $50. We are pleased to provide a special reduce fee of $45 for registrations that arrive by December 31, 2011.

View Workshops or Print a Registration Form

Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom / P. O. Box 345 /
Seekonk, Massachusetts 02771 (508) 336-4426

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Accessible Winter Recreation at D.A.R. State Forest

WHAT: The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Universal Access Program will offer cross-country skiing, kick sledding and snowshoeing for individuals with disabilities at D.A.R. State Forest in January and March. In the event of no snow or ice, hiking, nature walks and other activities will occur.

The Universal Access Program (UAP) provides recreational accessibility to state parks for individuals with disabilities, their families, and friends. Free use of accessible equipment and staff assistance is available.

UAP strives to increase the participation among persons with disabilities in indoor and outdoor recreational activities in integrated settings. In January, February, and March, UAP will offer ice skating, sit-skating, cross-country skiing, sit cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling, and other winter activities at Massachusetts state parks. The program also offers accessible cycling, boating, hiking, bird watching and horseback riding in summer and fall.

Pre-registration is required. Call Starves Outdoor Access at 413 259-0009. Also, ask about volunteer opportunities.

WHEN: Tuesdays, March 6 and 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: D.A.R. State Forest
Located on Rt. 112 in Goshen

Directions: Mass Pike (I-90) to exit 4, I-91N to exit 19, Northampton. Rte. 9 west to Goshen.
Rte. 112 north. The Park entrance is 1 mile on right. 413 268-7098

For more information on DCR’s Universal Access Program and a schedule of activities, and to confirm program status, call 617-626-1294 (voice) or 413-577-2200 (TTY) or visit www.mass.gov/dcr and click on “universal access program.”

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MA Environmental  Educators Society (MEES) Conference

Holy Cross, Worcester, March 14, 2012

<More Information>

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Upcoming Winter Programs at Dyken Pond

Here's a look at our upcoming programs. Please check our website and future emails for more programs still to be scheduled based on weather conditions. For more information on all of our programs, please contact Lisa Hoyt at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or (518) 658-2055.

Description: 020
Can you identify the animal sign and the responsible animal in this photo?


February 4: Wildlife Tracking Full Day Intensive with Alcott Smith. Alcottt has a loyal following; a number of people attend this workshop each year, Alcott is that entertaining and informative. So, back by popular demand, experience tracking native animals in this all day field intensive. Participants should know thier abilities and be prepared for a day outdoors in any weather condition. Pre-registration required. Space limited and fills quickly. $30; $25 members. Register by contacting Jim Bonesteel at: jim@bonesteel.com. Check out Alcott's bio on our website.

February 5: Wildlife Tracking Half Day with Alcott Smith.  Less strenuos than the full day, but still every bit as exciting, spend 3 hours in the field tracking animals. Your choice or choose both sessions: Morning: 9 -12 or Afternoon 1 – 4 Pre-registration required. Space limited and fills quickly. $20; $15 members. Register by contacting Jim Bonesteel at: jim@bonesteel.com.

February 7: Full Snow Moon Trek: Call ahead for snow conditions. Ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon. For the adult intermediate skier or snowshoer. Snow shoe rentals available with advanced reservation. Free 7 pm. If no snow, we'll walk!

February 20: School Vacation Family Tracking with Dan Yacobellis. Dan is our residenant local tracker. Dan has started researching and monitoring movements of our local native animals and is very knowledgable on our local ecosystems. Dan brings not only the science of tracking, but also a native american skill set to the art of tracking. This day is open to adults as well as kids ages 8 and older. A day with Dan will teach you to use your own observations and intuition to understand how to identify tracks and understand the movements of animals. This program is for beginners and more experienced trackers. Space is limited and fills quickly. 9:30 - 12 noon. Pre-registration required by contacting Lisa Hoyt at dykenpond@fairpoint.net. Fee: $15 per person; second child in a family; $10. or $12 members

February 26: Family Tracking with Dan Yacobellis: Same description as Feb. 20 program.

March 8: Full Snow Moon Trek: Call ahead for snow conditions. Ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon. For the adult intermediate skier or snowshoer. Snow shoe rentals available with advanced reservation. Free 7 pm. If no snow, we'll walk!

March 17: All Day Tracking Field Intensive with Dan Yacobellis: Full day for tracking enthusiasts ages 14 and up. For beginners and experienced alike. Please read about Dan's background on our website and under the Feb. 20 program description. 9 am - 3 pm $30; $25 members; $15 under 18 years old. Pre-registration required by contacting dykenpond@fairpoint.net. Space is limited and fills quickly.

Please visit our website for biographies of Alcott Smith and Dan Yacobellis at www.dykenpond.org

Also, please visit our website for 2011 highlights at the Center. Click on News and Other Info at www.dykenpond.org

Enjoy a great day in the outdoors!
Lisa Hoyt
Center Director

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Animal Tracking with Dan Yacobellis

Following trails of various animals, we will learn how to identify the animals and interpret the story they left behind on the landscape

2012 Tracking Schedule:
Feb. 11th– Hopkins Forest Williamstown Ma. 9:00-1:00
Feb.19th– Pineridge 9:00-12:00
Feb.24th- Albany, NY. 9:00-1:00
Feb. 26th– Dyken Pond Environmental Ed. Center– 9:30-12:00
Mar.11– Pineridge
Mar.17– Dyken Pond- 9:00-3:00

Dan Yacobellis, Tamakoce Wilderness Programs, Grafton, NYtamakocewildernessprograms.com518-658-0328

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The Society for Ecological Restoration  Mid‐Atlantic Chapter 7th Annual Conference, in collaboration with the SER New England Chapter:
Restoration on the Edge: Exploring the frontiers of restoration, collaboration, and resilience in changing ecosystems

March 23‐24, 2012 ‐ Brooklyn College, City University of New York

The selected contributed papers will be delivered during afternoon concurrent sessions on March 23, 2012. Each presenter will be given 20 minutes.

The selected posters will be displayed throughout the day and presented during a “Poster Pub” after the sessions.

Contributed papers and posters may pertain to, but are not limited to, these subject areas:
• Prevention and restoration of biodiversity loss
• Ecosystem resilience
• Novel ecosystems
• Global climate changes affecting ecological community composition
• Trends in invasive species distribution related to urban systems
• Design of sustainable landscapes
• Green infrastructure connections to ecological restoration
• Agro‐ecology connections to ecological restoration
• Management of sites experiencing ecological change
• Ecosystem services and economics
• Re‐establishing landscape connectivity
• Successes, failures, and current status of restoration projects (case studies welcome)
• Design of future restoration projects

Approximately 300 restoration practitioners, scientists, administrators, environmental engineers, landscape architects, land stewards, students, and others are expected to attend the conference.

Please send abstracts for papers and posters to: Laura Whalen at lwhalen@delawareestuary.org by January 13, 2012. Indicate whether you are proposing a talk or a poster or both, and provide the following information:
• Paper/Poster title
• Abstract (no longer than 1 page)
• Name, affiliation and contact information (phone number and email)

Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decisions by February 3, 2012.

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Description: Project Native Logo
SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, March 25, 2012

Project Native's 2nd Environmental Film Festival at the Triplex Theater in Great Barrington.

Thanks to the generous support of the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation all the films will once again be FREE to the public!

Description: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5812e288376281683b62eb60b/files/Sohn_logo.jpg

Click here for a sneak peek at our new video

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Healthy Communities: Green solutions for safe environments

The 30th National Pesticide Forum
Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
New Haven, CT -- March 30-31, 2012


The 30th National Pesticide Forum, Healthy Communities: Green solutions for safe environments, will be held March 30-31, 2012 at Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The conference will focus on organic landcare, urban/ suburban pesticide use, organic food, and protective national, state, and local policies.


The conference is convened by Beyond Pesticides, Environment and Human Health, Inc., the Watershed Partnership, Inc., and co-sponsored by local, state and regional public health and environmental organizations.


Sessions will be held in the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies' Kroon Hall. This sustainable building is a showcase of the latest developments in green building technology, a healthy and supportive environment for work and study, and a beautiful building that actively connects those who use it with the natural world.

More details and registration information is available on the National Pesticide Forum webpage.

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Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon

We’re thrilled that the Highland Communities Initiative (HCI) is the beneficiary of a new event, the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon on March 31, 2012. Held in Charlemont, this challenging race will feature many of the best outdoor adventures in our region while highlighting the natural beauty of western Franklin County and the Deerfield River. Teams or individuals will participate in five events – a 10k trail run, a 23 mile road bike, a 5 mile kayak, a 1 mile snowshoe or ski to the top of Berkshire East, and a downhill ski to the finish. It’s a rare combination of events not for the faint of heart!


We need participants and volunteers to make sure this event is a success. If you’re willing to help out with timekeeping and recording finishers, please contact HCI at 413.628.4485 x1 or email highlands@ttor.org. Or start building your team and we’ll see you on the course! Visit www.berkshirehighlandsevents.com for more information about the race, and use coupon code hcipe for a $5 discount.

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MA. Sustainability Conferences Call for Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors, Research & Posters*
Partnerships in Sustainability

Save the Date: April 20-21, 2012
Location: UMass Boston's Campus Conference Center

THE CONFERENCE
The Massachusetts Sustainable Campuses and Communities Conferences connect leading experts and stakeholders from municipalities, school campuses, government, businesses and non-profits; and showcases best practices, practical resources and exemplary work in sustainability. You can meet many constituents all in one place! Our first conferences (www.MassGreenCareers.com and www.MaSustainableCommunities.com) were sold out. We hope you join us!

THE GOALS

  • Sustainable Development Environment, Economy, Equity
  • Environmental Sustainability Energy, Water, Materials, Food, Buildings, Land Use, Transportation, Management

THE OBJECTIVES

  • Explore research, best practices, services and products for sustainability
  • Foster cross-sector dialogues, collaborations, partnerships and action
  • Network with experts and peers

THE PARTICIPANTS

  • Municipal and state government officials
  • Municipal, conservation, DPW, facilities, planning, sustainability/energy and school staff
  • School administrators, sustainability educators and managers
  • Career services, workforce development, and community relations staff
  • Research and innovation professionals
  • Students interested in sustainability initiatives and internships
  • Business owners and staff, and business organizations
  • Non-profits, community groups and community leaders
  • Everyone interested in learning about sustainability


THE PRESENTERS
Leading experts from campuses, communities, businesses, government and non-profits



THE EXHIBITORSDescription: C:\Users\Kristen\Desktop\securedownload.jpg
  • Resources for campus and community sustainability
  • College certificate and degree programs
  • Businesses with products and services
  • Government agecies
  • Non-profit and community organizations
  • Campus and community initiatives
  • Student internship resources


THE CONFERENCE HOST
An advisory team of professionals representing communities, academia, business, government and non-profits support this conference hosted by Green Workforce Training.

* CALL FOR SPEAKERS, SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, RESEARCH & POSTERS

Speakers, Research & Poster Applicants Please email the following: 1) your name, organization, contact info, website; and 2) a 200 word proposal that includes: A) topic of interest (see below), B) three learning objectives, and C) a summary of your presentation, research or poster.

Sponsors & Exhibitors Please request a registration form.

Preliminary deadline December 14, 2011

Contact JenBoudrie@gmail.com or 508-481-0569

CALL FOR SPEAKERS, RESEARCH & POSTERS

TOPICS OF INTEREST

First Massachusetts Sustainable Campuses Conference

  • Campuses
  • What is Campus Sustainability?
  • Guidelines for a Green Campus
  • Campus Success Stories: Energy, Waste, Water, Food, Transportation, etc.
  • Facilities Directors from Campuses and Communities Talk about Collaboration and Initiatives
  • Sustainability & Energy Managers from Campuses and Communities Talk about Collaboration
  • Creating a Community- and Campus-wide Culture around Sustainability: Comparing Plans, Goals & Outcomes
  • Expanding Sustainability Connections between Campuses and Communities
  • Curriculum (K-College)
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Initiatives
  • Sustainability Research & Development
  • Research Sharing
  • Campus Connections to Public Policy and Leadership
  • Workforce Education and Community Sustainability
  • A Look at How We Train Chemists, Community Leaders, Urban Planners and other Sustainability Stakeholders
  • Communities
  • University and Community Initiatives
  • Green Gown Town Partnerships - What Do We Aspire To Do?
  • Technical School Projects in Communities
  • University Student Projects in Communities
  • Exploring the Placement of Graduates and Interns in Communities
  • Government
  • Mass Clean Energy Center Internships at Companies
  • Campus Connections to Policy and Leadership
  • Communicating with Policy Leaders
  • Government - EEA, DOER, DPU, MACEC, NECEC, DEP - Connections to Campuses
  • Businesses
  • Business Incubators, Venture Forums and Entrepreneurs
  • What Companies are Hiring Graduates and Interns?
  • Workforce Education to meet Business Needs
  • Student-to-Entreprenuer Models
  • Business Showcase for Services an Products
  • Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) on Campus
  • Utility Partnerships
  • Campus Groups & Teams
  • Student Clubs: Energy, Environment, Sustainability
  • Student Placement and Internships, and Entrepreneurs
  • Student-Led Initiatives
  • What do Students Aspire to Do?
  • Alumni, Associations and their Roles
  • Other
  • Sustainability Topic of Your Choice

Second Massachusetts Sustainable Communities Conference

  • Communities
  • Massachusetts Green Community Updates
  • Community Sustainability Criteria and Rating Systems for Energy, Water, Waste, Land Use, Food/Agriculture, Transportation, Buildings, etc.
  • Massachusetts Regional Sustainability Initiatives
  • Community Success Stories: Energy, Water, Waste, Land Use, Food/Agriculture, Transportation, Buildings
  • Partnership Success Stories: Community, Campus, Government, Business, and/or Non-profits
  • Local Energy Generation and District Energy Supply
  • Community Resources and Referrals for Questions like Bylaws
  • Models of Interacting Between Campuses and Communities
  • Expanding Sustainability Initiatives between Campus and Community
  • Sustainability & Energy Managers from Communities and Campuses talk about Common Initiatives
  • How Towns Find Students for Projects and Internships
  • Student Projects in Communities
  • Campuses
  • Campus and Community Model Projects
  • Facilities Directors from Communities and Campuses Talk about Collaboration and Initiatives
  • Adopting Sustainable Programs and Practices in Secondary Schools
  • Alumni who Connect Campuses to Community Projects
  • Programs that Create Community Leaders
  • Green Gown Town Partnerships: Models of Interacting
  • Schools' Roles in Sustainability (K-college)
  • Colleges with Curricula that focus on Sustainable Communities and Sustainable Development
  • Government
  • Green Community Updates
  • Solarize Massachusetts
  • Legislative, Regulatory & Policy Challenges and Updates
  • Community Resources
  • Businesses
  • Small Business Venture/Forums/Incubators/Clusters in Massachusetts
  • Green Business Groups and Chambers of Commerce Initiatives
  • Business Showcase for Products and Services
  • Case Studies on Business and Community Partnerships
  • Energy Service Company (ESCO) and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) projects in communities
  • Materials Management, Green Chemistry and Green Purchasing
  • Sustainable Food Systems and Farm to Table Stakeholders
  • Sustainability and Environmental Consulting
  • Non-Profits and Groups
  • Community Non-Profit Models that Work
  • Community Learning Groups like Home Energy Efficiency Teams (HEET)
  • Community Group Success Stories: Energy, Food, Materials, Transportation, Land-Use, etc.
  • Sustainability Topic of Your Choice

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MCLA's 2012 Green Living Seminar has begun. This year's theme is "Saving Biodiversity: Protecting Species in Berkshire County and Beyond”

Presentations are Thursdays at 5:30 pm in MCLA's Murdock Hall room 218. All presentations are free and open to the public.

The remaining presentations will be:

2/2: Medicinal plant conservation
Emily Mooney, MCLA, Assistant Professor of Biology

2/9: Land conservation and the New England cottontail
Doug Bruce, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Stewardship Manager

2/16: Saving biodiversity in the Berkshires
Jane and Bruce Winn, Berkshire Environmental Action Team

2/23: Rattlesnakes in the Berkshires
Tom Tyning, Berkshire Community College, Professor of Environmental Science

3/1: Landscaping and bird biodiversity
Susannah Lerman, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, Post Doctoral Research Associate

3/8: Biodiversity conservation in western Massachusetts
TBA, The Nature Conservancy

3/22: Massachusetts endangered species protection
Jon Regosin, MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Chief of
Conservation Science

3/29: The changing biodiversity of the Northeast
Peter Alden, Naturalist and writer

4/5: Integrating biodiversity into land use planning
Erik Kiviat, Hudsonia, Executive Director

4/12: Ocean biodiversity: Medicines, fisheries, and marine conservation
Kathleen Frith, Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global
Environment, Managing Director

5/3: Evolution and biodiversity: How a musical instrument that evolved from feathers can help conserve biodiversity
Kim Bostwick, Cornell University Museum, Curator of Bird and Mammals

Podcasts will be posted online following each presentation:
http://www.mcla.edu/greenliving

The Green Living Seminar Series is sponsored by EOS Ventures, Inc. and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort and is a presentation of MCLAs Environmental Studies Department.

Elena Traister
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
375 Church St.
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 662-5303

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CTIC's Conservation in Action Tour 2012 — Southern Style

Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) will host its annual Conservation In Action Tour May 30-31 in the Mississippi Delta.

CTIC leaders chose the southern setting because of the unique challenges the producers face in the Delta, which is one of the largest contiguous coastal ecosystems in North America boasting both ecological and economic value.

“The rich culture and history as well as the conservation successes in the area made the Mississippi Delta an exciting choice for this year’s tour,” says Rex Martin, CTIC board of directors president.

The tour will highlight agricultural producers who implement innovative conservation practices and solutions to water quality and water quantity issues, herbicide resistance challenges and wildlife habitat needs.

The tour stops first at Stovall Farms, birthplace of jazz legend Muddy Waters. Farmers, advisors and agency representatives will detail efforts to address water conservation, soil health and nutrient management to curb two of the area’s most problematic issues, water supply and nutrient loading.

At the same stop, researchers will describe ongoing monitoring efforts put in place as part of the first state nutrient reduction strategy to help address hypoxia issues in the Gulf of Mexico.

Another stop, Mill Creek Gin, is one of the most innovative cotton gins in the United States, where guests will get to tour their state-of-the-art facility.

The tour concludes at Williams Farms where crop production is as equally important as wildlife management. The intersection between production agriculture and wildlife management is often punctuated with conservation measures that benefit both. Dinner will be served that evening at the Williams Farms hunting lodge.

“We look forward to another information-packed tour where we meet exceptional producers, learn about their successful conservation systems and see the results for their bottom line and for the environment,” says Karen Scanlon, CTIC executive director.

For more information and upcoming registration dates visit the tour website: http://ctic.org/CIATours/

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Registration is now open!

Fish Passage 2012

The 2nd National Conference on Engineering& Ecohydrology for Fish Passage
University of Massachusetts Amherst
June 5-7, 2012

The 2012 National Conference on Engineering& Ecohydrology for Fish Passage (Fish Passage 2012) promises to be an important national forum for researchers and practitioners to exchange findings and experiences on fish passage issues.

Fish Passage 2012 will be of interest to researchers, educators, practitioners, funders, and regulators who have an interest in advancements in technical fishways, nature-like fishways, stream restoration and stabilization, dam removal, road ecology, and the myriad of funding, safety, climate change, and other social issues surrounding connectivity projects.

This is a three-day conference with concurrent sessions in engineering, biology, and management and social issues. The conference will also feature plenary talks, professional networking opportunities, and a poster session.

Fish Passage 2012 follows the successful Fish Passage 2011 conference held at UMass Amherst in June 2011.

To Register or submit an abstract go to: http://www.fishpassageconference.com

Abstract submission and registration will open in October, 2011.
Abstracts for Oral Presentations due March 1, 2012

Organizing Committee:
David Ahlfeld, Univ. of Massachusetts, Civil& Environmental Engineering
John Catena, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Brett Towler, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Kevin Moody, Federal Highway Administration/US Department of Transportation
Ted Castro-Santos, US Geologic Survey / University of Massachusetts, Environmental Conservation
Austin Polebitski, Univ. of Massachusetts, Civil& Environmental Engineering
Susan Wells, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / National Fish Passage Program
_______________________________________________
Fishpassage mailing list
Fishpassage@engin.umass.edu
https://list.umass.edu/mailman/listinfo/fishpassage

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Strategies for a New Economy Conference

New Economics Institute announces “Strategies for a New Economy” -- a conference at Bard College, in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, June 8-10, 2011.  There will be 12 conference tracks each with 7 workshops and special guest plenary speakers.

The track themes represent the positive spirit of the conference and the optimism that a new kind of economy, reflecting our highest aspirations as a people, is possible.

1.  Visioning and Modeling the New Economy: Shared Prosperity within Planetary Limits
2.  Measuring Well Being: Alternative Indicators of Wealth and Progress
3.  Banking and Financing a New Economy: Scale, Criteria, Innovation
4.  Re-building Local Economies:  Engines for Resilience
5.  Re-imagining Ownership: Coops, Stakeholders, Corporate Structure
6. Transforming Money: Structuring, Issuing, and Valuing New Mediums of Exchange
7.  Sharing the Commons: Identifying, Allocating, and Restoring
8.  Messaging a New Economy: Education, Media, Public Campaigns
9.  Forging Justice for All: Economic Security, Equity, and Jobs in the New Economy
10. Empowered Youth: Mandating a New Economy
11. Responsive Government for a New Economy: Politics as if People and Planet Mattered
12. Moving Beyond Consumerism: Plentitude, Sufficiency, and Mindful Consumption

Each theme will have its own website with resource material reflecting some of the most innovative new thinking and experimentation in the field.  Conference registration opens mid-January.  Conference workshops will be videoed and added to the web pages to further develop what will be a permanent resource of videos, papers, projects, and organizational links representing the best strategies for a new economy.

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5th Biennial Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference

The Maine Department of Transportation is pleased to host the 5th Biennial Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference at the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel & Conference Center in Newry, Maine on September 9 – 12, 2012. Save the date for this Northeastern regional conference!

Here is the “Call for Presenters!!! (pdf)”. Any questions, do not hesitate to contact Richard Bostwick (207-592-3904 / Richard.bostwick@maine.gov).

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Heron Homeschool Program--WINTER SESSION

Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Amherst
Ages 7+

Classic Earthwork Programs! Your child can learn wilderness living skills and nature awareness while fully immersed in nature! Practice ice safety...build snow shelters...track animals...learn how to prevent hypothermia.

$50-65/class, sliding scale. Register online (www.earthworkprograms.com) or call 413-522-0338.



Winter Schedule or click here for Calendar


Animal Tracking--Sunday, 2/5, 1:00-4:00 pm, families, adults, teens
Winter Wilderness Weekend--Saturday, 2/18-Sunday, 2/20, adults
Emergency Survival & Self-Sufficiency Skills--coming in February

Weekly Programs:
Heron & Swift Eagle Homeschool--Amherst, Fridays, 9:30 am-2:00 pm, 7+

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Green Drinks-Great Barrington - 2/2, 3/1, 4/5, 5/3, 6/7

Free Drinks and Fare

The next Great Barrington Green Drinks is Thursday, February 2, at Route 7 Grill, from 5:15 on.

Thursday night, February 2, Occupy Berkshires will be the invited guests of the Great Barrington Green Drinks. This is a monthly get together, sponsored by Orion Magazine, where we will have the opportunity to present who we are and what we're working on. It will also be a fantastic chance to meet other like-minded locals, and see how they are dealing with the issues we care most about.

Route 7 Grill
999 Main Street
Great Barrington
5:15 - 7:00pm (presentation at ~6:00)

http://occupyberkshires.com/events/occupy-green-drinks/

As always there will be free copies of the current issue of Orion magazine for your enjoyment. You'll love the new cover.

Green Drinks is 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 to meet others active in your community.

Please forward this on to your friends & share with your social media contacts...the more the merrier.
Erik Hoffner
Orion magazine

***Orion is winner of the 2010 Independent Press Award in the category of General Excellence***

888-909-6568

http://www.orionmagazine.org


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Greenfield Green Drinks ***Cancelled Until Further Notice***

Greetings,

We've decided to put Franklin County Green Drinks on hold starting September 2011.  We've found that attendance has been down over the past few months and in the interest of making it a successful event for everyone that waiting until there is a higher interest level would be best.

Please feel free to contact us at info@earththrives.com if you are interested in helping to build this event back up or have any suggestions.

Best wishes,

The Team at EarthThrives

Rich Roth,
CEO EarthThrives.com
Your place to find news and activities,
Green and Sustainable in the Pioneer Valley
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Northampton Green Drinks

Come join other environmentalists for an informal get-together for networking and fun on the second Wednesday of each month
Wednesday 2/8, 3/14, 4/11, 5/9, 6/13
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Northampton Brewery

Hi all - Green Drinks Northampton is Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Northampton Brewery -- on the tall tables across from the main bar, and if you have any materials to swap, please bring them: books, cds, dvds even announcements -- anything of Green or Sustainable interest.

FYI -- GD will start at 5:30 pm and will overlap with the end of WMGC meeting.

WMGC (Western Mass Green Consortium) meeting will start at 4:00PM

Details for Green Night this Wednesday!

Come to the Brewery each second Wednesday of the month and tap into the area's green scene and some quality brews at a business that is taking the lead in greening its own operations too.

Please forward this email to all of your friends and colleagues - it's the best way to spread the word!

Thanks!
John

Visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/greendrinksnorthamptonma?hl=en

Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100989691931#

John Majercak
Associate Director
Center for Ecological Technology (CET)
ReStore Home Improvement Center
26 Market Street, Northampton, MA 01060
johnm@cetonline.org / 413-586-7350 ext. 28
Visit www.cetonline.org / www.restoreonline.org
Support our work
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North Adams Green Drinks - gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcome

Tuesday 2/14, 3/13, 4/10, 5/8, 6/12
starting at 5:30 pm
Freight Yard Pub, Western Gateway Heritage Park

sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) & Northern Berkshire Transition

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 Tuesday, 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 this Valentine's Day, February 14th, 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 Transition.

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 Green Drinks is held the 4th Tuesday of every month, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Theodore's.

Tuesday 2/28, 3/27, 4/24, 5/22, 6/26

Our site is http://www.greendrinks.org/MA/Springfield,%20MA.
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Pittsfield Green Drinks - gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcome

Tuesday 2/21, 3/20, 4/17, 5/15, 6/26
starting at 5:15 pm
at Flavours, 75 North St (entrance on McKay St),  Pittsfield, MA 01201.
(If you are using google, please input 62 McKay St.)

Sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) & the Center for EcoTechnology (CET)

Pittsfield 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 third Tuesday, beginning at 5:15 pm we gather for "Green Drinks" at Flavours, 75 North St. (entrance on McKay St), Pittsfield. Come talk about the environmental issues you are interested in and hear about what others are doing to try to save the world. Join us, on the third Tuesday starting at 5:15 pm.

Green Drinks in Pittsfield is co- sponsored by the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) and 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 Jamie Cahillane at CET (413-445-4556 ext. 14) or 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
www.millersriver.net 

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.

Wednesday, February 8, 7 p.m. Wild Things of North Quabbin
At our regular meeting here at the Center, New Salem resident and nature lover Henry Cramer will present “Wild Things of North Quabbin,” an entertaining and educational documentary with natural sounds and narration. The film is a collection of action scenes featuring a wide variety of local animals, including some rarely observed behaviors of herons, turkeys, fish, bobcats, otters and more.

Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m. Butterflies Near and Far
Join expert naturalist Sue Cloutier here at the Center for our regular monthly meeting, an evening of butterfly photos that will take you from your own neighborhood to the Arctic in search of these beautiful insects.

Tuesday, April 10, 8-10 a.m. Accessible Birding with Joe
Join Joe Superchi on the second Tuesday of the month visiting local sites. Open to birders of all abilities. Meet at the Center. Call ahead for wheelchair van access, 978-248-9491.

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.

Click here for Hoffmann Bird Club's Trip & Meeting Guide (pdf)

Click here for the Hoffmann Bird Club's website.


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