Berkshire Environmental Action Team

OLLI & BNRC Joint Hike
2026-01-28 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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

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

Protecting Your Legacy Webinar Series
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-13 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

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

Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires
2026-01-21 18:00, 2025-12-17 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

Improving Habitat Through Invasives Management
2026-01-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Learn about our most common invasive plants and how to manage them by prioritizing your goals. Discuss the need to pick your battles and focus on what is achievable.
This event is open to the public but is specifically designed for professionals who manage invasives on large properties, public areas, conservation lands, etc. There will be a home gardener version of this presentation on Feb. 24th at 7pm. See here for details.
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 and available after the event.

Register for this presentation

DATE: Wednesday, January 21
TIME: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Why We Need Oaks, and How to Save Them with Doug Tallamy
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Services for a book talk on The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, presented by ecologist and New York Times bestselling author Doug Tallamy.
Using the months of the year as a backdrop, Tallamy showcases the myriad of life that depends on oaks, from caterpillars and other insects — and the birds that feed on them — to a cast of acorn-eaters. He also details the many ecosystem services that oaks provide. These long-lived trees are champions at storing carbon, and their enormous root systems help stabilize soils and buffer floods.
Oaks are in decline due to the combined stress of climate change, drought, and pests and pathogens. Tallamy writes, “We cannot casually accept the loss of oaks without also accepting the loss of thousands of other plants and animals that depend on them.” Optimistically, he shares how restoring oak populations is possible and that there is no shortage of places to plant them, if we work together.
The event is free and open to all; registration is required. Attend in person at our Lovejoy Auditorium in Millbrook, NY, or watch a live stream online. For in-person guests, there will be a book signing after the talk. Merritt Bookstore will offer copies of The Nature of Oaks for sale in the lobby.
Cary’s public lectures are made possible, in part, by support from Harney & Sons Fine Teas. Additional sponsors for this lecture include Millbrook Garden Club, Ulster Garden Club, City Garden Clubs of New York, Rye Garden Club, Fort Orange Garden Club, Southampton Garden Club, and West Hampton Garden Club.
Register Here
DATE: Thursday, January 15
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Online, or in-person at Cary Institute for Ecosystem Services, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44), Millbrook, NY

Policy & Power: New Nuclear in Massachusetts?
2026-01-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
A Sierra Club conversation with the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Join Massachusetts Sierra Club leaders in conversation with Melissa Lavinson, Executive Director of the Office of Energy Transformation, and Weezie Nuara, Deputy Secretary for Federal & Regional Energy Affairs. Dialogue will focus on Gov. Healey’s proposed legislation to expand nuclear power’s contribution to the Commonwealth’s energy supply portfolio while eliminating the requirement for a statewide referendum on any new nuclear plant sited in Massachusetts.
Submit questions in advance of this webinar: https://forms.gle/Ycb2QUTMcCN2s51e8
Register Here
DATE: Thursday, January 15
TIME: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Online

Fireside Chat with Author Tara Lohan
2026-01-15 16:00 | Online
Join American Rivers for a special virtual fireside chat with journalist Tara Lohan to celebrate the release of her new book, Undammed: Freeing Rivers and Bringing Communities to Life. The book charts the rise of the dam removal and river restoration movement and shares the remarkable benefits of undamming waterways to benefit people and wildlife. Tara’s reporting spans the country, capturing the passion and persistence of the advocates, scientists, Tribal leaders, and local residents working to free America’s waterways from outdated and harmful dams.
Through compelling narrative and clear-eyed hope, Tara demonstrates that undamming is not just an environmental intervention—it’s a community-led transformation that is reshaping landscapes and lives. This conversation is ideal for anyone interested in conservation, community health and public safety, cultural revitalization, and the power of local action to spark meaningful change.
Register Here
DATE: Thursday, January 15
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

OLLI & BNRC Joint Hike
2026-01-15 13:30 - 15:30 | Tom Ball Mountain, 152 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
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 on Monday, January 5 at 9 am).
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 which are especially beautiful in the winter. 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.
​​​​​​​Location: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tom Ball Mountain
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Trail Details: 3.2 miles. The trail is moderate with both up and downhill stretches.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cancellation: Winter weather may mean we can’t hike on a designated day. We will notify all registered hikers 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. BNRC does have snowshoes to borrow if you don’t have your own.
Register Here
DATE: Thursday, January 15
TIME: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Tom Ball Mountain

Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America
2026-01-14 19:00 | Online
Author Sharon Udasin will discuss her new book, “Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America.” Learn how PFAS — a set of toxic chemicals most people have never heard of — poisoned the entire country. Based on original, shoe-leather reporting in four highly contaminated towns and damning documents from the polluters’ own files, Poisoning the Well traces an ugly history of corporate greed and devastation of human lives. Udasin is an environment reporter who has been delving into water contamination and conservation issues for fifteen years. She was a Ted Scripps Fellow in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder and has reported for numerous outlets, most recently covering U.S. West climate issues for “The Hill” from 2021-2025. She co-authored “Poisoning the Well” with Rachel Frazin.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Register Here
DATE: Wednesday, January 14
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Berkshire Green Drinks: "Stream Restoration on the Konkapot River" With Zach Adams from Trout Unlimited
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Dewey Hall, 91 Main St., Sheffield, MA
Join us for the first Berkshire Green Drinks of 2026 in which Zach Adams from Trout Unlimited will share about this summer’s stream restoration project on the Konkapot River. Trout Unlimited completed construction on a bank restoration project 7 years in the making! This project both created habitat in the Konkapot River and stabilized the stream bank to prevent Hartsville-Mill River Road from washing out in the next 5 years. This huge project required 80+ trees with root wads, tons of boulders, and a lot of adaptability. Zach will share photos and stories about this fairly unique project in Massachusetts. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.
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, January 14
TIME: 6:00 pm – 7:00 PM, in-person gathering begins about 5:15
LOCATION: Dewey Hall, 91 Main St, Sheffield
In-person attendees: This venue has drinks available to purchase. You are welcome to bring food.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Zach Adams is a writer, photographer, avid outdoorsman, and lifelong conservationist. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Juniata College and has worked and studied from the Chesapeake Bay to the Adirondacks. Zach has lived along the banks of the Housatonic River for his entire career, and is passionate about conservation in the Berkshires where he lives with his wife Evelyn and his German Shorthaired Pointer, Millie. He now works for Trout Unlimited, managing stream restoration projects in Berkshire County. You can find him chasing brook trout in the hills, walking behind his bird dog, or scratching his head over a rare bird identification. Zach writes a sporting column for the Berkshire Eagle, has publications in multiple magazines, and is the author of the field guide Birds of New England.

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.

"Did You Put Milk in the Bucket?" Documentary Screening & Discussion with Sharon Wyrrick
2026-01-14 17:30 | North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams, MA
“Did You Put Milk in the Bucket?” A Tribute to the Center for Resourceful Living
Documentary screening & discussion with creator Sharon Wyrrick
Visit North Adams public library for a screening of the documentary film “Did You Put Milk in the Bucket?” which captures the history and spirit of The Center for Resourceful Living, an innovative program offered at North Adams Stage College from 1975-80, through the stories and voices of its participants. Filmmaker Sharon Wyrrick will be present for a Q&A after the showing
DATE: Wednesday, January 14
TIME: 5:30 PM
LOCATION: North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams

Women's Wildlife Tracking Intensive
2026-01-10 | MA
Meet one full day a month for 6 months spanning winter, spring and summer seasons. This intensive is geared to women with any amount of tracking experience who are looking to deepen their knowledge and hone their skills as wildlife trackers. It is also open to those with no prior tracking experience but who are motivated and committed to learning. Participants will become more proficient with: identification of tracks and sign of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates; recognition and understanding of animal gaits and track patterns; familiarity with animal’s habits, behaviors and survival strategies and be strongly encouraged to pursue independent learning projects. All female-identifying trackers are welcome.

Cost: $725 (an early bird discount of $650 is available if registered and paid in full by September 15th and for returning participants). A deposit of $150 is required to hold a space in the program with the remainder due by December 15, 2025.

To apply: Please email or call Kathy Dean at kathrynadean@yahoo.com or 413-625-2550 with your interest and any questions you may have. You will be sent an application for the program and upon acceptance, will receive more detailed information.

Visit https://trackercertification.com/ to learn more.
DATES: Saturdays, January 10, February 7, March 7, April 18, May 23, and June 20 (Sundays of each week are backup weather dates)
LOCATION: All sessions will take place in a variety of locations within a 30-minute drive of Greenfield, Massachusetts, largely in western Massachusetts (mainly) and southern Vermont (possibly).

Habitat Chat
2026-01-07 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

"Reuse"
2026-01-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA
Edmundo and Eduardo tell the story about Reuse in the Berkshires. Former Peace Corps Volunteer collects good used equipment here in the Berkshires and then ships this good equipment back to Guaimaca Honduras, a place he was introduced to as a volunteer 45 years ago.
DATE: Saturday, January 3
TIME: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield

Tracking Winter Wildlife for Beginners
2026-01-03 11:00 - 12:30 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Dive into the fascinating world of wildlife tracking with a beginner-friendly walk through fields and forests. Search for tracks, scat, and signs of the delicate but exciting interactions between predators and their prey. With any luck, we will find signs of coyotes, foxes, deer, rabbits, and more.
Dress for the weather and enjoy a morning of winter tracking. This program covers up to a mile of trail depending on the amount of tracks we find. Terrain is level or gradually sloping. The trail surface could potentially be uneven or slippery due to snow, mud or ice. Traction spikes or snowshoes may be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Here
DATE: Saturday, January 3
TIME: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 W Mountain Rd, Lenox

Tuesday Treks
2023-09-26 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-09-19 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-09-12 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-09-05 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-08-29 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-08-22 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-08-15 12:30 - 14:30, 2023-08-08 12:30 - 14:30 and 3 more dates | Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Rd., Cropseyville, NY
Join Len Tremblay on a moderately paced 3-mile hike every Tuesday in March to explore the wilds of Dyken Pond Center. Learn the trail system one at a time with a knowledgeable guide. Each week we’ll discover new ground and nature. Hikes will be canceled in bad weather.
This program is free for adults and older teens. Pre-registration required.
DATE: Every Tuesday
TIME: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
LOCATION: Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, NY 12052
To register, call (518) 658-2055 or email dykenpond@gmail.com. Your registration is not complete until you receive confirmation from the Center.
