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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Berkshire Environmental Action Team
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T113000
DTSTAMP:20260728T184947Z
CREATED:20260728T181424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T184947Z
UID:10005361-1787477400-1787484600@www.thebeatnews.org
SUMMARY:Cummington Tree Alliance Woods Walk at the Rivulet with BEAT
DESCRIPTION:The Cummington Tree Alliance invites community members to a guided woods walk on Sunday\, August 23\, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Trustee’s Rivulet Trail on the Bryant Homestead. \nThe walk will be led by Chelsey Simmons\, Stewardship Director at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)\, and will explore the rich biodiversity of the Rivulet\, one of the region’s most remarkable forest landscapes. The Rivulet contains a mature forest with many old-growth characteristics and provides exceptional habitat for native plants\, wildlife\, and fungi. During the walk\, participants will learn about native tree identification\, invasive species\, tree diseases\, forest ecology\, and the many factors that contribute to healthy\, resilient woodlands\, while exploring one of Cummington’s ecological treasures. \nRegistration is required\, and participation is limited to 10 people. \nTo reserve your place\, please complete the registration form here:\n▶ SIGN UP LINK/FORM \nOnce your participation is confirmed\, we will send any additional event information. \nDATE: Sunday\, August 23 \nTIME: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM \nLOCATION:  207 Bryant Road\, Cummington\, MA 01026 \nParking is available next to and behind the red barn at the Bryant Homestead. From there\, we will gather as a group and begin the walk to the Rivulet.
URL:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/cummington-tree-alliance-woods-walk-at-the-rivulet-with-beat/
LOCATION:William Cullen Bryant Homestead\, 207 Bryant Rd\, Cummington\, MA\, United States
CATEGORIES:BEAT Events,Biodiversity,Skills,Trees,Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/TREE-ID-Biodiversity-Walk-CTA-and-BEAT.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Berkshire Environmental Action Team":MAILTO:team@thebeatnews.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T120000
DTSTAMP:20260820T153617Z
CREATED:20260820T153617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T153617Z
UID:10005372-1789207200-1789214400@www.thebeatnews.org
SUMMARY:Tree Identification & Forest Biodiversity Walk with BEAT
DESCRIPTION:Join BEAT’s Stewardship Director\, Chelsey Simmons\, for a free biodiversity tree identification walk on Esau’s Trail in Becket on Saturday\, September 12\, at 10 AM. \nLearn how to identify trees using leaves\, bark\, twigs\, fruit\, and overall form\, with tips for recognizing species year-round — even when leaves aren’t present. Along the way\, we’ll also discuss invasive species\, tree diseases\, and other factors affecting forest health and biodiversity. \nThe walk will cover approximately 1.5 miles over about 2 hours at a relaxed pace\, with frequent stops for observation and discussion. The trail is mostly flat and considered easy. Please dress for the weather and be prepared to be outdoors for the duration. \nSpace is limited\, and registration is required. REGISTER HERE. \nDATE: Saturday\, September 12 \nTIME: 10 A M to Noon \nLOCATION: Esau’s Heel Trail\, 3 Jacobs Ladder Rd\, Becket\, MA \nThis is collaborative walk with the Becket Athenaeum and partially funded by the Central Berkshire Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
URL:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/tree-identification-forest-biodiversity-walk-with-beat/
LOCATION:Esau’s Heel Trail
CATEGORIES:BEAT Events,Biodiversity,Native Plants,Natural History,Skills,Trees,Walks
ORGANIZER;CN="Berkshire Environmental Action Team":MAILTO:team@thebeatnews.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T143000
DTSTAMP:20260817T180705Z
CREATED:20260817T160836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T180705Z
UID:10005368-1789210800-1789223400@www.thebeatnews.org
SUMMARY:Forest Fires in Massachusetts: Myths and Reality
DESCRIPTION:Photo credit: MassWildlife\, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation\, monitors a prescribed fire in the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area on Tuesday. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo Greenfield Recorder   June 16\, 2026\nWildfires in the Western United States and Canada are more and more prominent in the news. There is also growing interest in the role of wildfires and intentional fires (“prescribed” burning) in New England. \n\nIn Massachusetts\, public agencies are increasingly using prescribed burning in state forests and wildlife management areas\, such as the Montague Plains and Muddy Brook wildlife management areas\, and Myles Standish State Forest. \nOur speakers are experts on these issues and will discuss important questions: \n• What is the goal of prescribed burning and where is it happening? \n• Does prescribed burning help with wildlife habitat restoration? \n• Does prescribed burning help to prevent or mitigate forest fires? \n• What is the risk of wildfires in Massachusetts? \n  \nPresenters: \nDavid Foster is director emeritus of the Harvard Forest and its Long Term Ecological Research program and currently coordinates Wildlands\, Woodlands\, Farmlands and Communities and serves on the editorial board of From the Ground Up.  David’s research and conservation focus began with his PhD studies on fire history and ecology of the Labrador wilderness but has increasingly focused on the role of natural and anthropogenic forces\, including fire\, that have shaped the New England landscape over past millennia. He is an author most recently of “Meeting of Land and Sea: Nature and the Future of Martha’s Vineyard\,” and “Wildlands of New England: Past Present and Future.” \nMichael Kellett has worked for 40 years to create national parks\, save forests\, and protect wildlife. He is co-founder and executive director of RESTORE: The North Woods\, a New England-based nonprofit organization. He was the lead author of the paper\, “Forest-clearing to create early-successional habitats: Questionable benefits\, significant costs.” \nBill Stubblefield has a lifelong passion for natural history and holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University. He currently devotes his time to activism on behalf of all lifeforms on Planet Earth. \nGeorge Wuerthner is an ecologist and photographer who has visited more than 400 designated wilderness areas and more than 200 National Park System units. For a dozen years\, he worked as Ecological Projects Director for Doug Tompkins’s Foundation for Deep Ecology and is now Executive Director of Public Lands Media. He has published 38 books\, including “Wildfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy\,” “Protecting the Wild: Parks and Wilderness Foundation for Conservation\,” and “Keeping the Wild: Against the Domestication of the Earth. \n  \nDATE: Saturday\, September 12 \nTIME: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Presentations and panel discussion in person and on Zoom. Please register to attend in person.\n1:30 PM to 2:30 PM— Walking tour of the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area \nLOCATION:  The National Spiritual Alliance\, 2 Montague Avenue\, Lake Pleasant\, MA 01347 \nRSVP: jasinclair@verizon.net \nREGISTER: Zoom \n  \nPlease park near the intersection of Old Northfield Road and Lake Pleasant Road if possible. \nLight snacks and beverages provided. \n  \nSPONSORED BY: \nClimate Democracy Project\, Community Land and Water Coalition\, Concerned Citizens of Franklin County\, Northeast Wilderness Trust\, Partnership for Policy Integrity\, Protect the Montague Plains\, RESTORE: The North Woods\, Save Massachusetts Forests\, Sierra Club Massachusetts\, Standing Trees\, Wendell State Forest Alliance
URL:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/forest-fires-in-massachusetts/
LOCATION:The National Spiritual Alliance\, 2 Montague Avenue\, Lake Pleasant\, 01347\, United States
CATEGORIES:BEAT Events,Biodiversity,Skills,Trees,Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ForestFires.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T120000
DTSTAMP:20260603T134513Z
CREATED:20260602T180406Z
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UID:10005343-1789819200-1789905600@www.thebeatnews.org
SUMMARY:Berkshire Biodiversity Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:As global biodiversity faces unprecedented challenges\, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is bringing the community together to celebrate and explore the rich variety of life found in the Berkshires. \nThe 17th annual Berkshire Biodiversity Day\, also known as Berkshire BioBlitz\, invites nature lovers of all ages to join scientists\, naturalists\, and environmental educators in identifying as many species as possible—plants\, animals\, fungi\, and more—over the course of 24 hours. \nThe event will take place from noon on Saturday\, September 19\, to noon on Sunday\, September 20\, at Bartholomew’s Cobble\, a property of The Trustees located at 105 Weatogue Road in Sheffield\, MA. Participation is free and open to everyone\, regardless of age or experience. \nAttendees are invited to drop in at any point during the event to join scheduled guided walks\, attend hands-on demonstrations\, and learn from expert-led presentations. \nAll activities and presentations will be based at Bartholomew’s Cobble\, where attendees must register upon arrival. Participants may stop by anytime to take part in the scheduled guided walks\, live demonstrations of surveying techniques\, and educational presentations\, or contribute their own observations to the species survey across the Cobble’s diverse 357-acre landscape. \nA full schedule of guided walks and presentations will be available soon—stay tuned! \nBerkshire Biodiversity Day is organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). This year’s program is co-sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations and BEAT.
URL:https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/berkshire-biodiversity-day-2026/
LOCATION:Bartholomew’s Cobble\, 105 Weatogue Rd\, Sheffield\, MA
CATEGORIES:BEAT Events,Biodiversity,Community Events,Natural History,Networking,Talks,Walks
ORGANIZER;CN="Berkshire Environmental Action Team":MAILTO:team@thebeatnews.org
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