Forest, Fields, and Waterfalls Hike
2026-06-06 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, 1515 & 1516 Savoy Hollow Rd., Windsor, MA
Join Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA for an informative hike! Learn about the unique fauna and flora of high elevation forests and fields plus a visit to Georgie’s Falls on this 2 mile hike with Naturalist & Director Aimee Gelinas.
To register, email full_circle_o@yahoo.com. To learn more, visit www.tamarackhollow.org.
This event costs $20.
DATE: Saturday, May 16 | Saturday, June 6
TIME: 10:00am – 12:30pm
LOCATION: Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, 1515 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA 01270

19th Annual Free Family Fishing Day
2026-06-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Barton Cove, 82 French King Hwy, Gill, MA, 01354
Visit Great Falls Discovery Center for a day of FREE fishing fun. Enjoy our annual Family Fishing Day at Barton Cove, with additional activities at Great Falls Discovery Center including fish printing and fly tying. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event is held rain or shine. Parking is free at each site. More details coming soon, or call the Discovery Center, (413) 863-3221.
DATE: Saturday, June 6
TIME: 10:00am – 2:00pm
LOCATION: Barton Cove, 82 French King Hwy, Gill, MA 01354

RiverFest
2026-06-06 11:00 - 15:00 | MA
Join the Hoosic River Watershed Association, Hoosic River Revival, and Trout Unlimited Taconic Chapter on Saturday, June 6, 11am-2pm for RiverFest! Historic Beaver Mill, right along Route 8 in North Adams, is hosting RiverFest.

Celebrate and get to know the species who live in the River. Visit stations for hands-on explorations of fly casting, aquatic macroinvertebrates, water quality monitoring. Join in a guided riverwalk. MassWildlife will join us so that participants can learn to fish without a license under instruction/supervision. Bring a picnic blanket or chair and sit for a spell along the River. Walk across the street and up the road to visit Natural Bridge State Park. Remember your water bottle.
This event is free and open to the public. Many thanks to Barbara and Eric Rudd Art Foundation and Historic Beaver Mill for hosting this event.

RiverFest is brought to you by: Hoosic River Watershed Association, Hoosic River Revival, and Trout Unlimited Taconic Chapter.

HooRWA;s Water Quality Monitoring demos are funded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Many thanks to our snacks sponsors: Big Y World Class Market, Guido’s Fresh Market, Stop & Shop #0784, and Wild Oats Market. Thank you to A1 Septic for giving us a discount on the port-a-potty.
June 6 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Rain date is Sunday, June 7.

A Nature Year at Pleasant Valley: Spring
2026-06-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-13 18:00 - 20:00, 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

BNRC/OLLI Joint Hike, Thomas & Palmer
2026-06-10 09:30 - 11:30 | Thomas & Palmer Brook Reserve, 305 State Road, Great Barrington, MA
Join Berkshire Natural Resources Council and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for a hike!
This hike will include all three sections of trail in this BNRC reserve. The trail begins near a wetland and open meadow before entering the forest and ends at the unique rock formation called Whale Rock. By traversing these varied habitats, hikers may see some of the many birds that call this reserve home, early summer wildflowers, and an apple orchard.
The trail is easy to moderate with some elevation gain in the last section to Whale Rock.
Registration Link:
Registration opens Tuesday May 26, 9:00am on OLLI’s website: Register here

DATE: Wednesday, June 10
TIME: 9:30am – 11:30am
LOCATION: Thomas and Palmer Brook Reserve, 305 State Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Wild Thing 5K/10K Trail Race and Walk
2026-06-12 08:00 - 2026-06-13 17:00 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Come volunteer with Mass Audubon and help put on this exciting race!
Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of roles during this trail race weekend. Opportunities include course support, registration assistance, aid stations, and more. Be part of the action while supporting a fun, nature-filled community event!
Learn more and register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/TrailRaceOpportunities
DATE: Friday, June 12 | Saturday, June 13
TIME: Depends on role
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 W Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA 01240

Building Better Soil: A Three-Part Soil Health Intensive
2026-06-12 10:00 - 16:00, 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

West Stockbridge Historical Society Presents: Frog Fables and Salamander Stories
2026-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Old Town Hall, 9 Main St, West Stockbridge, MA, 01266, United States
Discover the Lives of Berkshire Amphibians with Naturalist Tom Tyning
Next up in the Berkshire Nature Talk Series:
Back by popular demand: Tom Tyning: Frog Fables and Salamander Stories. Tom Tyning returns to offer an introduction to the incredible amphibians of Berkshire County, highlighting their remarkable life history strategies, amazing behaviors, and incredible beauty.
This engaging evening will explore questions as yet unanswered—how did amphibians arrive in the Berkshires after the glaciers? Who came first? Why do some species ignore water altogether? How can certain frogs survive without lungs? With stunning photos of frogs and salamanders in their natural habitats, and with a number of live specimens whose stories will be told, Tyning will bring these remarkable creatures to life.
Tom Tyning brings over four decades of experience as a field biologist, author, professor, and passionate naturalist. He currently teaches Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College and is widely recognized for his work on amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, and habitat conservation across Massachusetts and beyond.
Free for West Stockbridge Historical Society members; $10 suggested donation for nonmembers. Please register at weststockbridgehistory.org.
DATE: Friday, June 12, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
LOCATION: Old Town Hall, 9 Main St, West Stockbridge, MA 01266
COST: $10 suggested donation for non-members
REGISTER

Second Saturday Volunteer Day at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
2026-06-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Join Mass Audubon for a morning of hands-on stewardship and community care during our monthly Second Saturday Volunteer Day. This month’s projects will focus on refreshing and improving several sanctuary spaces, including painting and revitalizing the nature play area, weeding along trails and garden beds, and removing invasive plant species to help support native habitats and wildlife.
These volunteer mornings are a great way to spend time outdoors, meet fellow community members, and directly contribute to the health and beauty of the sanctuary. No prior experience is needed, and all tools, materials, and guidance will be provided.
Register at this link: https://volunteer.massaudubon.org/need/detail/?need_id=1252765
DATE: Saturday, June 13
TIME: 9:00am – 12:00pm
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox, MA 01240

Pittsfield Farmers Market
2026-06-13 09:00 - 13:00, 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 | 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

Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires
2026-06-17 18:00, 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

Learn About Ferns!
2026-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 | 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

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 | 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

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
