Learn About Ferns!
2026-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, 1515 & 1516 Savoy Hollow Rd., Windsor, MA
Join Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center for their “Learn About Ferns” event! Learn tips on how to identify over 10 species of woodland ferns on this easy walk with Naturalist & Director Aimee Gelinas. Fern guidebooks will be available for purchase at the program.
To register, email full_circle_o@yahoo.com. To learn more, visit www.tamarackhollow.org.
This event costs $20.
DATE: Friday, June 19
TIME: 10:00am – 12:00pm
LOCATION: Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, 1515 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA 01270

Building Better Soil: A Three-Part Soil Health Intensive
2026-06-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA
Join the Northeast Organic Farming Situation, Massachusetts Chapter, for a 3 part series exploring the living world beneath our feet!
Healthy soil is the foundation of productive farms and gardens. In this three-part Soil Health Intensive, participants will explore the living world beneath our feet and learn practical strategies for building resilient, fertile soil. Together we’ll uncover the foundational principles that support thriving growing spaces while examining the physical, chemical, and biological pillars of soil health.
Each workshop will focus on one of these core soil properties and introduce practical tools, observations, and management strategies that growers can apply in their own farms, gardens, and landscapes.
The series will take place at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA. While attending all three sessions provides the most complete learning experience, participants are welcome to attend one, two, or all three workshops throughout the season. Please see individual event pages for details.
This educational series is supported by the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which helps farmers explore soil-building practices and provides resources for those interested in transitioning to organic production.
Learn more and register at this link: https://www.nofamass.org/series/building-better-soil-a-three-part-soil-health-intensive/
DATE: Friday, April 17 | Friday, May 29 | Friday, June 26
TIME: 10:00am – 4:00pm
LOCATION: Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440

Pittsfield Farmers Market
2026-06-20 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-27 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-04 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-11 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-18 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-25 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA
Every Saturday through October, rain or shine!
Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org
DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31
TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pm
LOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

A Nature Year at Pleasant Valley: Spring
2026-06-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Immerse yourself in a season of local natural history. With a skilled Mass Audubon naturalist as your guide, experience the cycle of the seasons at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox. Gain extensive natural history knowledge, form a community with like-minded, curious adults, and receive the many benefits of spending time outdoors.
Throughout the spring, explore spectacular seasonal phenomena including the migration of salamanders and songbirds.
We will usually start inside with an introduction and then head out for our adventure in the field which will be at least 90 minutes outside. We’ll travel mainly on trails and boardwalks, actively exploring and experiencing various habitats and sanctuary spots.
Adult Program

Registration covers 3 classes starting April 18.
Learn more and register at this link: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/98862-a-nature-year-at-pleasant-valley-spring-3-months
DATES/TIMES: Sat. April 18, 6:00pm – 8:00pm; Sat. May 16, 7:00am – 9:00am; Sat. June 20, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 W Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA 01240

A Conversation with the authors of “Tending Your Forest: A Guide to Ecological Forest Stewardship”
2026-06-22 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for an engaging discussion centered on Tending Your Forest: A Guide to Ecological Forest Stewardship in the Eastern and Central United States, an accessible and science-based guide for landowners and woodland stewards. This program will feature the book’s authors Paul Catanzaro and Anthony D’Amato and introduce the core concepts of ecological forest stewardship outlined in the book, including how forests grow and change over time, how management can support both ecological health and landowner goals, and how stewardship decisions play out on the ground. The evening will also highlight a real-world case study that brings these principles to life, illustrating how thoughtful, values-driven management can enhance forest resilience, wildlife habitat, and long-term sustainability.
Following the presentation, enjoy a conversation with the authors, moderated by VLT forester Caitlin Cusack and Vermont Coverts Executive Director Lisa Sausville. Together, they will explore practical lessons from the book, reflect on local stewardship experiences, and discuss how landowners can apply these ideas to their own woods: whether actively managing or simply deepening their understanding of the forests they care for. This event is ideal for forest landowners, conservation practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of working and conserved forests in Vermont and beyond.

June 22 @ 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm – Register online to receive the Zoom link for this virtual event.

BNRC/OLLI Joint Hike, Mt. Hunger at Konkapot Ridge
2026-06-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Mt. Hunger at Konkapot Ridge, #0, Monterey, MA, 01245, United States
Join Berkshire Natural Resources Council and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for a hike!
The hike begins on the ridge, also called Monterey cobble, ending in a young succession forest with views of the Tyringham valley and cobble. After the ridge trail, the hike will continue at Steadman Pond, a favorite place for bass fishing and a dip in the summer. Moderate.
Registration opens Monday June 8, at 9am on OLLI’s website: Register here
DATE: Wednesday, June 24
TIME: 9:30am – 11:30am
LOCATION: Mt. Hunger Trailhead at Konkapot Ridge Reserve, #0, Monterey, MA 01245

Forests Close to Home
2026-06-24 11:00 - 16:00 | Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, 135 Gould Road, Adams, MA, 01220, United States
Do you own woods or forested land? Curious about how to care for it—or why it matters? Whether you own a few wooded acres or a larger forest, your land can play an important role in the future of our region.
Join BNRC for a half-day conference exploring how your forests can support wildlife, strengthen climate resilience, and remain healthy for generations to come.
Featuring:

Keynote speaker Ethan Tapper, an internationally recognized forester, ecologist, bestselling author of “How to Love a Forest,” and digital storyteller from Vermont.
Paul Catanzaro​​​​​​​, Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture at the University of Massachusetts. He serves as the State Extension Forester and co-directs the Family Forest Research Center, a partnership between the USDA Forest Service and UMass. Author of “Tending Your Forest.”

Learn More About:

Caring for your forests into the future
Supporting sustainable habitats for wildlife and birds
Tree diseases, invasive pests, and invasive plants
How family forests can provide meaningful income
Outdoor recreation and ecotourism opportunities

Lunch will be provided.
Hosted by Berkshire Natural Resources Council and generously sponsored by the Woodlands Partnership Program of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
Register Here
DATE: Wednesday, June 24
TIME: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, 165 Gould Road, Adams, MA 01220

Housatonic River Cleanup
2026-06-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Westside Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave., Pittsfield, MA
Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is a beautiful stretch of the Housatonic River running south from Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes and joining with the East Branch on the south end of Pittsfield.
BEAT and HVA staff and volunteers have been taking to the river in waders, boots, and canoes to pull out trash and keep the river beautiful for several years now. Since beginning annual cleanups, our efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller — and that wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Join us to help support the health of our Housatonic River!
We will meet at the Westside Riverway Park in Pittsfield before cleanup teams disperse to nearby locations to gather miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. We’ll finish cleaning up around noon and then eat some lunch, which will be provided for free to all participants.
REGISTER HERE
DATE: Saturday, June 27th (Rain Date Saturday, August 22nd)
TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, MA

Sheffield Land Trust Annual Meeting
2026-06-28 12:00 - 14:00 | 1050 Berkshire School Rd., 1050 Berkshire School Rd., Sheffield, 01257, United States
Come one, come all and celebrate at the Sheffield Land Trust’s Annual Meeting to introduce the Combes Family Conservation Restriction under the tent in the field at 1050 Berkshire School Rd. next to the land soon to be conserved. Hear about the Land Trust’s latest conservation projects, meet your neighbors, and enjoy a guided walk to Combes Pond, soon to be conserved. There will be live music by The Lucky 3. Enjoy our traditional potluck lunch. You bring your favorite dish to serve six and your own plates and utensils, we’ll provide the drinks.
Music: 12 PM to 1 PM
Lunch: 12:30 PM
Meeting & Speakers: 1 PM
Guided Walk: 1:30 PM
DATE:Sunday, June 28
TIME: 12 PM to 2 PM
LOCATION: 1050 Berkshire School Rd., Sheffield, MA
For more information, email shefland@bcn.net or find us on Facebook.

Habitat Chat
2026-07-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
The Massachusetts Pollinator Network hosts monthly drop-in, informal meetings for participants from across the state to learn about topics relevant to our work, share projects, ask questions, and exchange knowledge, ideas, and updates.
Whether you’re a seasoned community organizer, a home gardener, work in the field already, or are new to pollinator protection concerns, all are welcome! Stay for the entire meeting or just pop in for what you can.

To receive the zoom link, please register here.
DATE: First Wednesday of each month
TIME: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires
2026-07-15 18:00 | Online
Join members of 350Mass, the local climate group, at their monthly zoom meetings (and sometimes in-person) for good conversation and effective action. Learn about their efforts to promote affordable renewable energy and sustainable building practices in our schools, homes, and municipalities.
The group meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 pm and is always looking for new people to bring ideas, brainstorm clever actions, and help implement current initiatives.
Please join and you will be made welcome! To contact us and get the Zoom link, email at: berkshires@350mass.org
DATES: 3rd Wednesdays
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Meet the River Critters: Turning Stones with Declan McCabe
2026-07-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Linear Park, Williamstown, MA
Who lives in that river? Fish you may say? But what do they eat? And how do we find out? The answer comes down to water shoes, nets, buckets, and microscopes. In this catch and release program open to all scientists from very young to very old, we will explore the world of macroinvertebrates. Join the Hoosic River Watershed Association and aquatic biologist Declan McCabe on Saturday, July 18 at Linear Park, Water Street, Williamstown, MA for an exploration of the river critters who live in the Green River. Drop in anytime between 11am-12noon. Program will take place in the Green River just below (and to the left of) the woodland stairs on the Linear Link Trail.
DECLAN McCABE sees things that others miss. Each patch of soil, fallen tree, and puddle of standing water is a microcosm of life to be appreciated, studied, learned from. His book, Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water, (2024, Down East Books) is a careful look at the mysteries and life that can be found in a river if people just the take the time to look. As an aquatic ecologist and professor of biology at Saint Michael’s College, his job is to clearly communicate fascinating and complex biology to entry-level students. He also has been an outreach specialist to high-school audiences. His columns appear in “Northern Woodlands” and “Connecticut Woodlands” magazines and “The Outside Story” syndicated natural history series. He lives in South Burlington, but he’s frequently seen walking along the Winooski River, he says, where “slowing down, and observing carefully, reveals diverse life in unexpected places.”
DATE: Saturday, July 18
TIME: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
LOCATION: Linear Park, Williamstown, MA
All equipment will be provided and improvised equipment for home use will be demonstrated. You provide wading shoes and/or boots. Microscopes will be set up for viewing the benthic macroinvertebrates up close. Staff will be on hand to help with catching and releasing aquatic critters for observation.
This program is free and open to all. Accommodations available for river critters and microscopes on the flat lawn at Linear Park. Please email office@hoorwa.org if you need accommodations to explore river critters.
This program is made possible by grants from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. and the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Action Hour: Affordable Clean Energy 4 All
2026-07-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Online/Zoom
Join Mass Power Forward to push for an affordable, clean energy bill before the end of the session. July 21st is 10 days from the end of the session- so they must act now! We need to protect families, workers and the planet from expensive dirty gas. Join this action hour to get the latest intel, connect with other activists, and take action together contacting our legislators.

DATE: Tuesday, July 21
TIME: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Zoom

REGISTER HERE

Your Neighborhood, Your Voice: Getting Involved in Large-Scale Development Projects
2026-07-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
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A new power plant. A gas transmission pipeline through your community. A data center around the corner. When developers come to your neighborhood, do you know how to find project information, raise concerns, and mobilize your community?
Join the Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) for a free training on the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) public review process, which gives YOU the chance to weigh in before projects are permitted. You’ll hear from the MEPA Office’s Environmental Justice Liaison, a practicing attorney, and a community organizer who have been through these fights — and won!
This training is for residents, community organizers, and nonprofits across Massachusetts who want the tools to ensure their voices are heard. You’ll leave with skills to review a MEPA project filing, write an effective comment letter, organize community responses, and connect with legal and technical experts who can back you up.
The session will also highlight resources available through EJAN and partner organizations, creating space for participants to connect with one another, share experiences, and build collective power to advocate for healthy, equitable, and thriving communities.
Speakers:

Kate Harson: Environmental Justice Liaison, Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office
Mireille Bejjani: Co-Executive Director, Slingshot
Breanne Frank: Associate Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation

Moderated by Denise January, Alternatives for Community and Environment and Simran Patel, Conservation Law Foundation
The Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) is a pro bono network that matches community groups across MA facing environmental justice challenges with experts in law, science, policy, public health, community organizing, and other relevant fields.
DATE: Wednesday, July 22
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
LOCATION: Virtual
REGISTER HERE

Community Action Works Data Centers Virtual Panel
2026-07-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Online/Zoom
Communities are faced with emerging environmental and public health concerns related to the rapid construction of data centers. Hear from successful grassroots organizers and policy experts on the diverse ways communities are uniting to assess their environmental impact and pursue effective solutions.
Featured Panelists:
Quentin Good | Policy Analyst, Frontier Group | Energy guzzlers? Water wasters? What should we be worried about with data centers? Join Quentin as he explains what we know about their environmental & public health impact, and what we don’t.
Gage Bailey | Founder, Troup County Anti-Data Center Coalition | From one concerned citizen to a campaign 1,000s strong, Gage will share his success story of organizing his Georgia community to demand data center transparency and accountability.
DATE: Thursday, July 23
TIME: 12:00 – 12:45 pm
LOCATION: Zoom
REGISTER HERE

Observing Moths at Night: Light-sheeting Demo at Chesterwood
2026-07-24 20:30 - 23:30 | Chesterwood, 4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, United States
Every year during the last week of July, National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, diversity, life cycles, and ecological importance of moths — while also raising awareness about the global decline of these essential insects. People of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to explore, observe, and document moths right in their own backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.
Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Matthew Rymkiewicz at Chesterwood on Friday, July 24, from 8:30–11:30 PM for a nighttime light-sheeting demonstration in celebration of National Moth Week! Using illuminated sheets to attract moths and other nocturnal insects, we’ll watch as these fascinating creatures begin to appear after dark. As the evening progresses, larger and more diverse species will arrive, offering a closer look at their incredible patterns, colors, and adaptations.
Participants are welcome to drop in any time during the program—no experience necessary, just curiosity. Come for a few minutes or stay for the whole evening as we observe, photograph, and try to identify the critters that gather at the sheets. This event is limited to 30 attendees; please register in advance to assure a spot to attend.
DATE: Friday, July 24
TIME: 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
LOCATION: 4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA
COST: Free!
REGISTER IN ADVANCE
About the Demonstration Leader
Matthew Rymkiewicz is an avid naturalist, birder, photographer, and amateur entomologist based in Dutchess County, NY. Over the past nine years, he has hosted events during National Moth Week in the Taconics and Berkshires region. A former musician and non-profit manager, Matthew works in IT at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, where the birding is off the charts.
This event is in collaboration with Chesterwood, the summer estate and studio of American sculptor Daniel Chester French.

Housatonic River Cleanup
2026-07-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Westside Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave., Pittsfield, MA
Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is a beautiful stretch of the Housatonic River running south from Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes and joining with the East Branch on the south end of Pittsfield.
BEAT and HVA staff and volunteers have been taking to the river in waders, boots, and canoes to pull out trash and keep the river beautiful for several years now. Since beginning annual cleanups, our efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller — and that wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Join us to help support the health of our Housatonic River!
We will meet at the Westside Riverway Park in Pittsfield before cleanup teams disperse to nearby locations to gather miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. We’ll finish cleaning up around noon and then eat some lunch, which will be provided for free to all participants.
REGISTER HERE
DATE: Saturday, July 25th (Rain Date: Saturday, August 22nd)
TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, MA

H is for Hoosic!
2026-07-28 16:30 - 17:30 | Hoosick River Greenway, 7 Classic St., Hoosick Falls, NY, United States
Join the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA), Cheney Library, and the Town of Hoosick in a riverside nature walk with naturalist educator Arianna Collins. As we walk along the Hoosick River Greenway, we can admire the scenery, learn more about riverine ecology, and enjoy sensory awareness activities. Families welcome.
Meet at the Hoosick River Greenway, 7 Classic St, Hoosick Falls, NY on Tuesday, July 28 at 4:30pm for this 1 hour program.
No registration necessary. Just show up if you can. This free program is made possible through Stewart’s Shops.
DATE: Tuesday, July 28
TIME: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
LOCATION: Hoosick River Greenway, 7 Classic St., Hoosick Falls, NY

The Nature of Cheshire Reservoir
2026-07-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Farnums Causeway, Ashuwillticook Rail Trail @ Farnham Rd, Farnams Rd, Cheshire, MA 01225, Cheshire, MA, 01225, United States
Enjoy an evening stroll along the Cheshire Reservoir trail on Thursday, July 30, from 5-6pm. Join the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA), Hoosac Lake Recreation/Preservation District (HLD), Berkshire Outfitters, and The Snack Shack in a reservoir-side nature walk with naturalist educator Arianna Collins. As we walk along Cheshire Reservoir, we can admire the scenery, learn more about the Watershed, and enjoy sensory awareness activities. Families welcome. Meet at Farnam’s Causeway, on Farnams Road off Rt 8 in Cheshire MA.
No registration necessary. Just show up if you can.
This program is supported by a grant from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
DATE: Thursday, July 30
TIME: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
LOCATION: Farnams Causeway, Farnums Rd. off Rt. 8, Cheshire, MA

Follow the Forest Wildlife Training
2026-08-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Bushnell-Sage Library, 48 Main St., Sheffield, MA
On Sunday, August 2 at 2pm, train to be a citizen scientist for the Housatonic Valley Association’s Follow the Forest initiative and learn how to assess where good corridors exist for
deer, bobcats, and other animals to move across the land—and where there are barriers that we can help find ways for them to get around.
Join the Sheffield Land Trust and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) from 2-5pm at the Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield to learn more about how YOU can help wildlife move across
our landscape! During this hands-on training, HVA staff will introduce participants to the Follow the Forest initiative, which is working to protect our critical landscape, and the Wildlife Linkage
Assessment Tool, which is used to assess key habitat connectivity points.
You’ll learn to document how wildlife moves between forest habitats and navigates roadways. Your valuable observations will help inform conservation efforts and strengthen ecological
connections across the region.
Isabel Bronson, HVA’s Conservation Projects Manager, says “Follow the Forest is a bold conservation initiative working to protect and connect a climate-resilient wildlife corridor stretching from the Hudson Valley through western Connecticut and the Berkshires of Massachusetts, north through the Green Mountains of Vermont, to Canada. By bringing together conservation organizations and communities across the region, Follow the Forest is helping ensure that moose can roam, bobcats can travel, and countless other wildlife species can move freely between the large forest blocks that anchor the Northeast’s ecological resilience in a changing climate.”
DATE: Sunday, August 2
TIME: 2 PM
LOCATION: Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, MA
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to be sure there is space for everyone. Please visit https://followtheforest.org/ to register or for more information.
If you have any questions, you can also contact HVA’s Conservation Projects Manager, Isabel Bronson, at ibronson@hvatoday.org.

Beyond Lithium, Part 3: Form Energy’s Iron-Air Battery
2026-08-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Online/Zoom
Clean Energy Group’s “Beyond Lithium” webinar series spotlights the emerging energy storage technologies that are expanding the grid’s capabilities beyond today’s lithium-ion batteries. Each session in the series will feature a leading non–lithium-ion storage company, offering a practical look at how their systems work, where they are being deployed, and how they compare on performance, cost, scalability, safety, and supply chain considerations. Participants will gain insight into the potential benefits, barriers, commercialization timelines, and policy frameworks shaping this evolving market.
This session will explore Form Energy, manufacturer of 100-hour, iron-air battery systems, with a manufacturing facility in West Virginia, a demonstration project in Minnesota, and a commercial pipeline of over 750 megawatts/75 gigawatt-hours under agreement. Form’s Director of Government Affairs, Sarah Jackson, will give an overview of their technology and answer questions from attendees. Clean Energy Group President and Executive Director Seth Mullendore will moderate.
Join us to better understand how diversifying storage technologies can strengthen grid resilience, advance energy affordability, and accelerate an equitable clean energy transition.
DATE: Thursday, August 6
TIME: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Zoom
REGISTER HERE
This webinar will be recorded and posted online. If you are not able to attend this webinar but would still like to watch the recording, please register and you will receive an email with the webinar recording and slides 24-48 hours after the webinar ends.
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This webinar is free, but registration is required.
Clean Energy Group
www.cleanegroup.org

Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Removal
2026-08-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Burbank Park Boat Launch, 309 Lakeway Drive, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) at Pittsfield’s Burbank Park to help remove Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta), a rapidly spreading invasive vine that threatens our native ecosystems.
Originally introduced as an ornamental plant, hardy kiwi has become a serious problem across parts of the Northeast, including Berkshire County,

MA. Once established, this fast-growing vine forms dense mats several feet deep on the forest floor and climbs high into the canopy, creating thick “curtains” that smother native plants, shrubs, and even mature trees. These areas—sometimes called “amphitheaters”—become barren monocultures that threaten biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
What to Expect:
On this workday, we’ll focus on cutting and pulling hardy kiwi vines—particularly removing any fruit before it can be eaten by wildlife and spread further. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, get active, and connect with others who care about protecting our local environment. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Who Can Participate:
Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience! Volunteers should be able to walk on uneven ground for about 10 minutes to reach the work site.
Why It Matters:
Your efforts will directly support native wildlife habitat and help preserve the health and diversity of our local forests.
Come Prepared:
We recommend wearing long pants and long socks, along with closed-toed shoes. Please bring a full bottle of water. Pulling vines isn’t easy work; we want everyone to stay safe and hydrated! If you have your own work gloves, loppers, or pruning shears, please bring those along. Otherwise, you can borrow some from BEAT.
DATE: Saturday, August 8
TIME: 9:00 AM to Noon
LOCATION: Burbank Park, 309 Lakeway Drive, Pittsfield, MA — We will meet at the Onota Lake Boat Launch parking lot, NOT the main parking area for Burbank Park.
REGISTER HERE
***Extreme or wet weather cancels this event.***
Email team@thebeatnews.org with any questions.
