Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires
2026-01-21 18:00, 2026-02-18 18:00, 2026-03-18 18:00 (America/New_York) | 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

Project Drawdown Video and Group Discussion
2026-01-24 11:00 - 13:00 | Lee Library, 100 Main St, Lee, MA, 01238, United States
The Drawdown Roadmap: Using Science to Guide Climate Action
In this follow-up to Climate Solutions 101, Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., presents a science-based guide for strategically organizing currently available technologies and practices to halt climate change.
Before joining Project Drawdown, Dr. Foley led a number of world-leading environmental science and sustainability organizations. From 1993-2008, Dr. Foley was Founder of the University of Wisconsin Center For Sustainability and The Global Environment. He was also the founding director of the Institute on the Environment (IonE) at the University of Minnesota, where he was also McKnight Presidential Chair of Global Environment and Sustainability. And also served as the executive director of the California Academy of Sciences, the greenest and more forward-thinking science museum.
DATE: Saturday, January 24
TIME: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
LOCATION: J. Peter Scolforo Gallery/Meeting Room, Lee Library, 100 Main Steet, Lee

Protecting Your Legacy Webinar Series
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Your land provides tremendous benefit to you and the public. This free webinar series will help landowners decide the future of their land and take steps to formalize a conservation-based estate plan to achieve their personal and financial goals. This year’s webinar series will also include a webinar focused on the children of landowners.

The webinar series is divided into four topics:

Webinar 1: Getting Started with Conservation-based Estate Planning (January 13, 6:30 – 8:00pm with Paul Catanzaro, University of Massachusetts)
Webinar 2: Passing on Your Land Using a Will or Trust (January 27, 6:30 – 8:00pm with Attorney Peter Ziomek)
Webinar 3: Permanent Land Conservation Tools (February 10, 6:30 – 8:00pm with Olivia Lukacic, The Trustees of Reservations)
Webinar 4: Inheriting Land (February 24, 6:30 – 8:00pm with Paul Catanzaro, University of Massachusetts and Christa Collins, Land Protection Specialist)
Registrants will receive a Zoom link upon registration, and a reminder the week of the webinar.
Register Here

DATE: Tuesdays, January 13 and 27, February 10 and 24
TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

What You Choose to Plant Can Help Massachusetts' Rare Bees . . . Or Not
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:15 | Online
Native bees have a 150 million year history with blooming plants. Not unexpectedly it has gotten complex. Many bees are extremely picky about the flowers they gather pollen and nectar from. Explore this pickiness and also point out that many of the most uncommon bees are specialists and simply planting more of their pollen plants can be the type of conservation that each of us can do in our backyards.
Sam has coordinated the North American Breeding Bird Survey Program, developed the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program, the BioBlitz, Cricket Crawl, and FrogwatchUSA programs and worked on the design and evaluation of monitoring programs. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at discoverlife.org, and reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program.
This will be recorded.

Register for this presentation

DATE: Tuesday, January 27
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

OLLI & BNRC Joint Hike
2026-01-28 13:30 - 15:30 | The Boulders, Dalton, MA
OLLI at BCC and the BNRC are offering joint hikes this winter. These hikes are free for OLLI at BCC and BNRC members. You must register in advance on OLLI’s website and space is limited (registration for this hike will open 2 weeks in advance of the date).
Join for a hike on the Green and Red Trails at The Boulders. Easy to moderate, the trails will go through hardwoods and coniferous forests and across streams that were a source of clean water for the Crane Paper Company for over 100 years. The final stretch of the hike will be on Gulf Road which is closed for the winter. The tumble of glacial erratics in the Gulf are quite unique and are especially beautiful in the winter landscape.
Location: The Boulders, Gulf Rd. Trailhead
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Trail details: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Moderate.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What to Bring: Hiking in the winter is a special experience but it does require thoughtful preparation. Please be sure you have appropriate clothing – good hats, mittens/gloves, and wind and water proof outer layers if possible. Trails can be slippery. All winter hikers should use poles and micro-spikes. If you don’t have poles and/or micro-spikes, you can borrow some from BNRC. BNRC also has snowshoes available for loan.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cancellation: Winter weather may mean we can’t hike on a designated day. All registered hikers will be notified by 8:00 AM about changes. Cancellation will occur if the actual or feels like temperature is 15 degrees or below. If a snowfall means snowshoeing is an option, a notification will be sent by 8:00 AM.
Register Here
DATE: Wednesday, January 28
TIME: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
LOCATION: The Boulders, Gulf Road Trailhead

Habitat Chat
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-01 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

Berkshire Green Drinks: "Rescuing Wildlife: When and How to Help Wild Animals" with Judy Pasko of Cummington Wildlife, Inc.
2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
*Please note: this event is now online only, there will be no in-person gathering*
Join BEAT for the February 2026 Berkshire Green Drinks featuring Judy Pasko, a longtime wildlife rehabilitator and founder of Cummington Wildlife, Inc.
Judy has been rehabilitating wildlife since 2006 and holds both state and federal permits, with a focus on rabbits, songbirds, and merganser ducklings. She has helped revise Massachusetts’ wildlife rehabilitation exam and study guide and mentors aspiring rehabilitators through statewide training seminars. Judy will share insights from years of hands-on wildlife care and what it takes to support this critical work across the region.
DATE: Wednesday, February 11
TIME: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
Click here to register (Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.)

What is Berkshire Green Drinks? Berkshire Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally-related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join and bring along questions!
What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field and environmental enthusiasts meet for a drink and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from non-profit organizations, academia, government, business, and the general public. 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.

From Wasteland to Wonder
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
The way we currently manage our suburban and urban landscapes is creating an ecological wasteland. Fortunately, we have an alternative path: by working ​​with natural systems instead of against them, we have the power to help Earth heal. Basil will begin by discussing the functions of natural systems and how they’re being damaged by standard land care practices. Then he will delve into impactful ways we can take action, from planting saplings and saving mature trees, to creating pocket forests and replacing our lawns with Piedmont prairies. Finally, for those who want to help shift paradigms even more, Basil will introduce us to his initiative Project Pando, which provides a model for community-based efforts that gather native seeds, raise them into trees, and give them away for free.
Basil Camu pursues his purpose and passions as the co-founder of Leaf & Limb, a tree care company in Raleigh, NC, and Project Pando, a non-profit that aims to connect people to trees. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and author of the book From Wasteland to Wonder – Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Gardenista, and A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach.

Register

DATE: Wednesday, February 11
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

I Love a Rainy Night: The Rhythm of Forest Amphibians
2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies for a lecture on amphibian migrations, featuring Laura Heady, a biologist with the New York State Department of Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University.
Beneath the towering trees of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains, under the leaves, rotting logs, lives a fantastic group of amphibians. Nocturnal in their behavior and hunkered down in underground retreats, forest salamanders often go undetected – until they move on rainy nights in large numbers for their annual breeding migrations to vernal pools. Along with wood frogs, these amphibians encounter many roads that bisect their habitat, and in some places, they also encounter volunteers who lend a hand to provide safe passage.
Discover the fascinating world of forest amphibians, their life histories and role in forest ecosystems, and opportunities to get involved in conservation of vernal pool-breeding amphibians.
Heady has a BS in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and an MS in Biology from Idaho State University. She has worked on biodiversity conservation in the Hudson River estuary watershed for nearly 25 years and started the Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project in 2009.
The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Sign up to attend in person at the Lovejoy Auditorium in Millbrook, NY, or watch a live stream online. Offered in partnership with the Catskill Science Collaborative.
Cary’s public lectures are made possible, in part, by support from Harney & Sons Fine Teas.
REGISTER HERE
DATE: Thursday, February 12
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Online, or in-person at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) Millbrook, NY

10 x 10 Festival: Winter Tree Identification Walk
2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Springside Park, Pittsfield, MA, 01201
Do you know how to tell trees apart during winter? Join BEAT for a free winter tree identification walk at Pittsfield’s Springside Park and Hebert Arboretum.
While identifying trees without leaves may seem daunting, winter is actually an excellent time to learn. Without foliage, flowers, or fruit, participants will discover how to recognize trees and shrubs year-round by closely examining often-overlooked features such as buds, twigs, bark, and overall tree structure. Guided by BEAT naturalist and tree enthusiast Chelsey Simmons, this walk will focus on common trees found in the New England landscape.
The walk will be stop-and-go and will take place entirely outdoors. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. No prior experience or knowledge is required, and all are welcome; however, participation is limited to 10 people.
RSVP is required to reserve your spot and receive meeting location details. Email chelsey@thebeatnews.org to register.
DATE: Saturday, February 14 (Rain Date: Sunday, February 15)
TIME: 10:00 AM to Noon
LOCATION: Springside Park, 874 North St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
This walk is part of the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, a winter arts festival located in Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, organized by the City of Pittsfield and Barrington Stage Company.

Pipelines 101: Transmission Pipeline Infrastructure and Permitting
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Online/Zoom
Join Rosemary Wessel and Cathy Kristofferson for an instructional webinar on gas transmission pipeline infrastructure and permitting, as seen in currently proposed projects in the Northeast. Participants will learn about the Constitution and AGET Enhancement pipeline proposals, what pipeline systems are made of, how different kinds of projects require different kinds of public input in the permit process, and what they mean for the energy landscape here in New England.
DATE: Thursday, February 19
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
LOCATION: Online — Registration Required; REGISTER HERE
Led by BEAT’s No Fracked Gas in Mass Program Director, Rosemary Wessel, and Cathy Kristofferson of the Pipe Line Awareness Network.

Healthy Soil through Maximum Biodiversity: Replicable Models for Resilient Design with Evan Abramson
2026-02-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
Funded by a Healthy Soils Action Grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, for the past two years Landscape Interactions has been collaborating with farmers and community gardeners across Massachusetts to develop a series of scalable, replicable landscape designs and land management practices to improve soil health and increase soil carbon sequestration by supporting native pollinator species at risk of extinction. Through a robust process of on-site data collection, collaborative design and community engagement, Healthy Soil through Maximum Biodiversity offers a playbook for building biodiversity and ecological resilience below and aboveground.
Evan Abramson will present two seasons of data from ten participating sites, walk audience members through the process of creating the target list of over 150 at-risk species, and showcase the scalable, replicable designs that support these species, all forthcoming in a free, public access publication.
Evan Abramson is Founder and Principal of Landscape Interactions, an interdisciplinary landscape planning and design studio based in western Massachusetts with a renowned focus on biodiversity and science-based practices. Drawing on his diverse experience as a regional planner, farmer, community organizer, filmmaker and photojournalist, Evan designs landscapes and corridors that build resilience to a changing climate at the ecosystems level. He holds a Master of Science in Ecological Design from the Conway School of Landscape Design, a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College, Certificates in Permaculture Design and Biodynamic Gardening, is the author of numerous publications, including Pollinate Now, Farming for Biodiversity and Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan.
Register Here
DATE: Friday, February 20
TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

10X10 Family Snowshoe Hike at Arrowhead
2026-02-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Arrowhead, 780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Bring the whole family for a fun winter adventure at Arrowhead! This 1-mile guided hike led by Berkshire Natural Resources Council combines a family-friendly scavenger hunt with an introduction to the historic site by the Berkshire County Historical Society. Together we’ll tramp through storied woodlands and catch a glimpse of Mt. Greylock’s snowy silhouette! Come into the museum shop afterward to warm up with free hot chocolate!
Snowshoes will be available (weather permitting), making this an exciting opportunity to explore the grounds in true winter fashion.
Difficulty: Easy (easy pace, little elevation gain)
What to Bring: Please bring water, wear sturdy footwear, and wear layers. Consider snowshoes or microspikes, if you have them. BNRC has pairs of both to loan if needed.
Language: This hike will be led in English.
Questions:

For questions reach out to Charlotte at chood@bnrc.org
For DAY-OF event issues (i.e. last minute cancellation or lost) please call the Community Events cell phone at (413) 717-1262.

Cancellation Policy

BNRC’s weather hotline (413-499-0596 > ext. 5) will be updated with event cancelation information by 5:00 pm the day before an event.

Cancellation may occur if:

Temperatures over 91 Degrees F due to potential for heat exhaustion
Forecast for thunderstorms or steady rain
Temperatures in the teens or below
Unsafe driving conditions

Register Here
DATE: Sunday, February 22
TIME: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Herman Mellville’s Arrowhead Museum, 780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, MA

Invasives Management: Our Gardens and the Big Picture
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:15 | Online
Learn about our most common invasive plants and how to manage them by prioritizing your goals. Private landowners are essential to help us combat invasives plants and promote a healthy landscape.
Kristin O’Brien, Conservation Restriction Manager, joined Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) in 2017. She manages ~3,650 acres of protected lands across 106 conservation restrictions, creates invasive plant management plans, and oversees SuAsCo CISMA’s Weed Warrior program. Kristin is also the coordinator for the CISMA, which works with local partners to increase invasive plant management efforts in the MetroWest area. Kristin has a BS in biology: ecology and evolution from Hofstra University and an MS in biology: habitat management from Eastern Washington University.
This will be recorded.

Register for this presentation

DATE: Tuesday, February 24
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Stop Stocking: The Harmful Practice of Fish Stocking in Massachusetts and What You Can Do to Help
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Online/Zoom
In 2023, Massachusetts made national history when Governor Maura Healey signed Executive Order 618, committing the Commonwealth to halt biodiversity loss by restoring critical habitats and protecting native species. But one longstanding state practice directly undermines these ambitious goals: the routine stocking of non-native fish into Massachusetts waterways.
Join BEAT for an in-depth webinar examining how MassWildlife’s fish stocking program conflicts with the state’s biodiversity mandate and what science tells us about its ecological impacts.
DATE: Tuesday, March 3
TIME: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom — Registration required; click here to register.
Each year, nearly half a million hatchery-raised, non-native trout are released into rivers, lakes, and streams across Massachusetts, often into habitats that still support native eastern brook trout. Research shows that stocking non-native fish disrupts freshwater ecosystems, accelerates the declines of native species, contributes to pollution, and wastes significant public resources — as most stocked fish die shortly after release.
This webinar will explore:

What fish stocking is
How non-native stocking impacts native fish and other organisms, water quality, and ecosystem health
Why stocking conflicts with Executive Order 618 and the Department of Fish and Game’s own conservation goals
Proven, science-based alternatives like habitat restoration and reconnecting waterways
How YOU can make a difference in changing MassWildlife’s practices and pushing Massachusetts to support biodiversity and resilient freshwater ecosystems

Participants will learn how to take action locally to effect state-wide change. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register Here

Clean Air in Action: Overview of air quality monitoring in the Berkshires with BEAT and BRPC
2026-03-11 17:30 - 18:30 | Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School St., Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for an evening of air quality. BEAT staff will share results from over two years of ambient air quality monitoring in Pittsfield. BRPC will discuss their countywide air quality monitoring project, which for two years will measure both indoor and outdoor air quality. Learn about the effects of poor air quality on your health, and how the dangers of indoor air pollution differ from outdoor air. Both organizations will share the importance of collaboration in environmental and public health projects, sharing success from joint outreach in schools and the community.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Click here to register for online participation.
RSVP Here if you plan to join us for the in-person gathering (doing so helps bar staff prepare).
DATE: Wednesday, March 11
TIME: 5:30 pm – 6:30 PM, in-person gathering begins about 5 PM
LOCATION: Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School St, Pittsfield AND Online via Zoom
In-person attendees are encouraged to arrive before 5 PM to order drinks and find seats

What is Berkshire Green Drinks? Berkshire Green Drinks (formerly Pittsfield Green Drinks) is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally-related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join and bring along questions!
What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field and environmental enthusiasts meet for a drink and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from non-profit organizations, academia, government, business, and the general public. 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.

Skydance of the American Woodcock at Canoe Meadows
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, 309 Holmes Rd., Pittsfield, MA
Join Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley for an evening of birding! When the sun sets in early spring, woodcock love is in the air. Wet meadows and fields are transformed into a “runway” for their beautiful aerial courtship display. Listen and watch for the woodcock’s performance on their breeding grounds. Viewing the woodcock’s sky dance is a natural spectacle that should not be missed.
Dress for the weather and enjoy an early spring evening outside. Terrain is level or gently sloping. The trail surface could potentially be uneven or slippery due to mud, ice or snow. If the weather warrants it, traction spikes may be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.
Adult Program. $15-$20 Fee.
Learn more and register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/SkydanceoftheWoodcock
DATE: Wednesday, March 18
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
LOCATION: Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, Pittsfield, MA

Timberdoodles: Sky-Dancing Birds
2026-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Greylock Glen, 135 Gould Road, Adams, MA, 01220, United States
Join Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley for an evening of birding! Every spring, American Woodcocks or “timberdoodles” turn the meadows of the Berkshires into a runway for their magnificent aerial dance. Learn about the lives of woodcocks with a short, family-friendly presentation from a Mass Audubon naturalist, then look and listen for them on the Glen Meadow Loop. Even if we don’t see any timberdoodles at Greylock Glen, you’ll learn where and when to look for them during your next outing.
This program is all outdoors and includes a 0.2-mile walk to the area of highest woodcock activity. The trail surface is wide, gravel-paved, and has some small hills. Be sure to dress to be comfortable outside in the weather of the evening. Depending on the weather, the trail surface might be wet, muddy, or slippery.
This is a family program. Each registration requires at least one adult and one child. Pre-registration is required. $10-$12 fee.
Learn more and register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/timberdoodlesskydancingbirds
DATE: Friday, March 20
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
LOCATION: Greylock Glen, Adams

Night Bites & Insights
2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire, 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA
Join the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire for an evening of delicious food and eye-popping conversation!
‘Climate change’ and ‘global warming’ are misleading phrases. We’re not advocating conspiracy theories here but recognizing that these phrases lull us into thinking climate turmoil is something that is off in the future and far away from the Berkshires. ‘Extreme weather’ might be a better way to describe the local effects that we have already seen.
UUMSB will host Night Bites & Insights on Tuesday, April 7th at 5:30 p.m. featuring a spaghetti dinner and conversation with atmospheric scientist Dr. Anton Seimon. Anton Seimon is a six-time National Geographic Society grantee and interdisciplinary scientist with projects on four continents ranging from long-term monitoring of climate change impacts in the Andes to the Inside Tornadoes project over the U.S. Great Plains. Dr. Seimon teaches climate science at Bard College’s Center for Environmental Policy.
A $5 spaghetti dinner – including vegetarian options, salad, bread, and dessert – will be open to the public at 5:30 PM while Dr. Seimon shares slides and information about past events such as The Great Barrington Tornado and The Butternut Fire as well as insights about things we can expect in the future. Q&A will follow Dr. Seimon’s remarks.
Learn more and register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-bites-insights-tickets-1984131828711?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=email&utm_medium=sparkpost&utm_campaign=postpublish#location
DATE: Tuesday, April 7
TIME: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
LOCATION: Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire, 1089 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01236

Bringing Climate Action Home: Practical Cost Effective Measures to Save Energy and Save Money
2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Wander Berkshires, 34 Depot St Suite 101, Pittsfield, 01201, United States
350Mass Berkshire Climate Action, is presenting Bringing Climate Action Home, on April 7, 2026, at Wander, 34 Depot St. Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA. Doors open at 5:30 to provide time for attendees to meet with and learn more about participating community organizations, speakers begin at 6:00. This event is free and open to the public.
About Bring Climate Action Home:
This program will provide valuable resources for anyone considering home renovations, new construction, and upgrading to energy efficient electrical appliances. It will include information for homeowners, landlords, and renters.
Wendy Brown, AIA, CPHD, Owner/Architect at Terra Design-Build will address critical energy efficient design issues for new and existing homes, Mass Save, and how climate disruption impacts us locally.
Joe Carry, Decumanus Green Design-Build, will offer sustainable building insight based on his local home building experience which includes net zero design/construction.
Amanda Parker, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, will discuss the adoption of residential battery storage, window heat pumps, plug-in balcony solar, and more with a focus on the needs of renters and low-income households. In addition Amanda will outline current available financial incentives including rebates for implementing energy efficient measures.
About 350Mass Berkshires Climate Action:
Our volunteer members work together to impact environmental degradation and the climate crisis at the local and state level. Because we recognize that these issues impact everyone, we develop mutually supportive relationships with groups throughout the county.
In recent years 350MA Berkshires Climate Action has supported local efforts to convert Pittsfield’s polluting ‘Peaker Plants’ to clean energy, ensure that new school buildings are designed sustainably for the long term, and has worked on passage of statewide legislation supporting climate and social justice issues as well as clean affordable energy. We welcome new members!
For more information visit: 350maberkshires.org or email: berkshires@350mass.org
DATE: Tuesday, April 7
TIME: 5:30pm
LOCATION: Wander, 34 Depot St, Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Joint Hike: Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
2026-04-08 09:30 - 11:30 | Tom Ball Mountain, 152 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Join the BNRC and OLLI at BCC for this spring loop hike at Tom Ball Mountain. This outing is rated moderate with both up and downhill stretches. The hike will be around 3 miles. Registration opens March 23 at 9am on OLLI’s website.
Tom Ball Mountain is BNRC’s newest trail which opened in summer 2025. The trail includes views of Long Pond and Round Pond to the east. The trail is moderate with both up and downhill stretches. Hikers can see the amazing trail building skills of the BNRC and Greenager crews who helped build this wonderful new trail that will eventually become part of the High Road.
Hiking poles are strongly recommended, and good hiking shoes are essential.
If we need to cancel the hike due to rain, we will notify participants by email by 7:00 AM the day of the hike.
Register and learn more at this link: https://berkshireolli.org/event-6613472
DATE: Wednesday, April 8
TIME: 9:30am – 11:30am
LOCATION: Tom Ball Mountain, Alford. From the center of Great Barrington: Take Taconic Avenue west. Taconic Avenue turns into Alford Road. Follow Alford Road 2 miles. After passing Division Street, the trailhead will be 0.6 miles ahead on the right.

Sheep Hill Spring Site Spruce-Up
2026-04-11 08:00 - 12:00 | Sheep Hill, 671 Cold Spring Rd, Williamstown, MA
Join Williamstown Rural Lands staff and board for our Spring Site Spruce-up. We’ll be snipping, raking, and fixing our way through the punch list to get Sheep Hill looking sharp for the public. Avery Gura’s famous apple cake will be served with weather-appropriate drinks and other energizing snacks.
Pitch in for an hour or three, all abilities welcome. Bring along your fancy electric lawn rake if you’ve got one to tackle that gravel. Otherwise, we’ve got the tools. We look forward to catching up with you outdoors.
DATE: Saturday, April 11
TIME: 8:00am – 12:00pm
LOCATION: Sheep Hill, 671 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA, 01267

Second Saturday Volunteer Day at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Join Mass Audubon at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to help get the campus ready for spring!
Volunteers will assist with projects such as sprucing up the nature play area, weeding, mulching, and other seasonal outdoor tasks. It’s a great way to spend a spring morning outdoors while making a meaningful impact.
Learn more and register at this link: https://volunteer.massaudubon.org/need/detail/?need_id=1175101
DATE: Saturday, April 11
TIME: 9:00am – 12:00pm
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox, MA 01240

Gardening for Today & Tomorrow
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:15 | Lenox Memorial Middle & High School, 197 East St., Lenox, MA
Join the Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners’ Association for a symposium on sustainable landscaping. The event includes two keynote sessions at 9 am and 11 am. Whether you own many acres of land or a few planters on a balcony, learn how and why your landscaping can support birds and other wildlife in the Berkshires in the face of climate change. Other topics include: invasive species of Western Mass, localizing your landscape with native trees and shrubs, deer defense, and more. Registration required, $35 fee. A full description of the event can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/GardeningforTodayandTomorrow.
DATE: Saturday, April 11
TIME: 9:00 am to 12:15 pm
LOCATION: Lenox Memorial Middle & High School, 197 East Street, Lenox, MA
