Invasive Plant Removals: BEAT is working to remove non-native invasive plants from local lands. These invasive species degrade local ecosystems and displace native plants that are crucial sources of food and shelter for wildlife. BEAT is working with other groups to locate and manage infestations of invasive hardy kiwi in the Berkshires.
Wildlife Connectivity: Our Connecting for Wildlife program brings expert and amateur trackers together in the field to learn wildlife sign. We work to strengthen our understanding of wildlife so that their resources and needs can be protected and nourished.
River Cleanups: Since 2003, BEAT has worked with our neighbors getting our hands dirty cleaning up the Housatonic River. Over the years, we have partnered with many organizations and since 2008, we have worked closely with the Housatonic Valley Association on river projects.
Water Quality: Since 2014, BEAT’s work on water quality has identified hundreds of previously unmapped outfalls, and as recently as the spring of 2017, identified at least one dispensing raw sewage into the Housatonic River. That outfall has since been remediated. BEAT is currently doing outfall surveys in Pittsfield, MA, and testing multiple parameters for water quality assurance. This work is being done for the City of Pittsfield to ensure the city is meeting their NPDES stormwater permit for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4). In addition to sampling stormwater pipes, BEAT has also been involved with Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA), surveying surface water for temperature, E. coli, and road salt. Click here to find our most up-to-date results.
BEAT’s Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) Work – Since 2015, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust has funded a significant part of BEAT’s stewardship work. In 2018, BEAT was honored to again receive MET funding to support our work surveying stormwater outfalls during dry weather conditions.
This work is powered by sales of environmental license plates. You can help support the program that funded us by purchasing one of these license plates.
MET is one of the largest sources of grant funds for water resources in the Commonwealth. Since its founding, MET has awarded over $20 million in grants to organizations protecting and and enhancing the Commonwealth’s water resources and natural environments.