Berkshire Environmental Action Team

Our Warming Planet - Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation (Webinar Series)
2022-04-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Online/Zoom
Lectures in Climate Change is a unique combination of written text plus electronic slides that together comprise an informative and up-to-date set of presentations. This second volume, entitled Our Warming Planet: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, covers areas of climate impacts related to climate science, methods and approaches, sectors, regional and national studies, and policy and practice.
There are multiple dates for this webinar series. See below.
Wednesday, April 13 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, April 27 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, May 11 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, May 25 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, June 8 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, June 22 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, July 6 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, July 20 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Wednesday, August 3 @ 10 AM — 12 PM
Click here to learn more.
Click here to register.

Tuesday Treks
2022-04-26 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-04-19 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-04-12 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-04-05 12:30 - 14:30, 2022-03-29 12:30 - 14:30 | 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.

Nature Scavenger Hunt
2022-04-24 10:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Mount Greylock State Reservation
Sundays, 10:00 AM — 3:00 PM (Ongoing through April)
Adventurous quests invite you to search for natural treasures along park trails at Mount Greylock State Reservation. Several “seek and find” scavenger hunts for different ages and skill levels.
The program is self-guided, free for all ages, and suitable for children and families.

Vernal Pool Plunge — Training
2022-04-23 10:00 - 13:00, 2022-04-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Multiple Locations Outdoors
Saturdays, April 16 & 23 @ 10:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Hilltown Land Trust is partnering with the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee to offer their annual Vernal Pool Plunge! This two-day, in-person training event is open to anyone interested in learning about the ecology of and becoming advocates for vernal pools in Western Massachusetts, including how to certify vernal pools.
Participants should commit to attending both sessions (04/16 and 04/23). This training is aimed at individuals and families (appropriate for anyone 13 and older) looking to understand these small wetlands that may be on their land or in their towns.
After the two in-person field days, participants will have the opportunity to attend weekly online sessions after April 23rd that delve into the technical side of vernal pool certification. These trainings will guide participants through the process of certifying vernal pools that are not yet certified through the state of Massachusetts. We will go over online resources such as using MassMapper and uploading vernal pool data to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) site.
Day 1: We will be seated inside (masks required) for a 1-hour recorded presentation followed by a Q&A with local Naturalist Charley Eiseman. After a short break, we will move outside to a guided tour by Charley of the vernal pools on the property. We will provide clipboards, handouts, and reference materials. Bring waterproof knee-high boots, comfortable hiking clothing, bug spray, water, snacks, and any field notebooks you want to use. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as this event will be held rain or shine!
Day 2: Field day for participants to practice gathering the information required for vernal pool certification. Charley will be there to answer questions, but attendees will be more independent on this day. Precise location and details will be given at the first day of the event on April 16th. We will provide clipboards, handouts, and reference materials. Bring waterproof knee-high boots, comfortable hiking clothing, bug spray, water, snacks, and any field notebooks you want to use. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as this event will be held rain or shine!

Registration is required. Click here to sign up and learn more.

Homeschool Wilderness Skills Programs
2022-04-22 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-15 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-08 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-04-01 09:00 - 15:00, 2022-03-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Conway, MA
Spring Sessions start March 25th — every Friday for ten weeks @ 9 am-3 pm
Location: Conway, MA
2 Groups:
HERON — ages 7+
SWIFT EAGLE — teens & mature preteens
With Earthwork Programs, hundreds of children have learned and practiced not only wilderness skills but mentoring and being part of a community, as well, for 23 years! During the Spring session, children learn shelter building, fire making, tracking & bird language, foraging for wild edibles, and more!

Early-Bird Tuition: $80/class for the 10-week Spring session. Visit earthworkprograms.com or call 413-340-1161

Path of the Otter
Spring Sessions start March 25th and continue weekly (10 weeks) on Fridays (9 am-12 pm)
Conway, MA
PATH OF THE OTTER — ages 5&6Join in on a playful journey through the season as we develop nature awareness through our senses. Deepen your heart connection with your child and help to nurture your child’s longing to connect with the outdoors. A parent is welcome to stay for first class.

Early-Bird Tuition: $45/class for the 10-week Spring session. Visit earthworkprograms.com or call 413-340-1161

Early Bird Birding with Jeff Johnstone
2022-04-22 07:00 - 09:00 | Athol, MA
Friday(s) April, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 @ 7:00 AM
Join Athol Bird and Nature Club along with Jeff Johnstone at 100 Main Street, Athol MA before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for spring migrant birds. These are great events for the novice birder to learn from one of our best field naturalists!
Come for as long as your schedule allows. Severe weather cancels.
Info: Jeff Johnstone, 978-249-9052. Covid precautions are advised.
The May 6th event will explore the New England Equestrian Center of Athol. 7:00 AM at MREC or 7:15 AM at NEECA, 802 New Sherborn Road, Athol.

Presentations with Athol Bird & Nature Club President Dave Small
2022-04-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Athol Public Library
Join Athol Bird and Nature Club for this series of presentations on our local wildlife and tips on attracting them to our yards. ABNC president Dave Small will be speaking for this series at the Athol Public Library located at 584 Main Street in Athol, MA.
– Tuesday, February 15 @ 6:30 PM – Birds in Winter
– Tuesday, March 15 @ 6:30 PM – Living with Nature
– Tuesday, April 19 @ 6:30 PM – Attracting Native Pollinators
– Thursday, May 12 @ 6:30 PM – Local Butterflies and Planting to Attract Them
– Tuesday, June 21 @ 6:30 PM – Introduction to Dragonflies
Registration is required for these free programs. REGISTER HERE.

Berkshire Grown Great Barrington Winter Farmers Market
2022-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Housy Dome, 1064 Main Street, Housatonic, Massachusetts
Saturdays, March 19 & April 16 @ 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Location: Housy Dome (aka Housatonic Community Center), 1064 Main Street, Housatonic
Berkshire Grown’s Winter Famers Markets will feature the abundance of locally grown and produced foods found in the Berkshires. The offerings of local producers range from winter squash, greens, and root crops, to apples, meats, cheeses, honey, and maple syrup, as well as baked goods, jams, ferments, and cider at most markets.
With your safety in mind first, we strongly encourage pre-ordering through What’s Good and pick-up “curbside” by the exit door. Shoppers using SNAP to pre-order must check in at the Market Manager’s table first to receive benefits. Berkshire Grown staff and volunteers will assist you with the curbside pick-up.
Admission to the Farmers Markets is free and SNAP/EBT is accepted at all markets.
Click here to learn more.

Introduction to the Study of Lichens
2022-04-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-04-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-04-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-04-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Online/Zoom
April 4, 6, 8, 11, and 13 | 7:00 — 9:00 PM
This seminar will introduce participants to the identification, biology, ecology, and human uses of lichens with a focus on North America. Participants will learn the terminology that describes characters of lichens and their lifestyles and how these characters are used to identify lichens. Participants will learn how to collect and prepare specimens so they can build a starter collection of their own. They have the option to share specimens with other participants so these can be identified and discussed during the seminar.
About the Instructor
Gary Perlmutter (gary.perlmutter@gmail.com) is an Associate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Herbarium (NCU). Originally from southern California, he first became interested in lichens and lichenology while studying at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG) as an independent researcher in 1996. Gary took his skills, curiosity, and starter collection of about 25 specimens from a lichen workshop at SBBG to North Carolina, where he has been active in collecting, studying, and teaching lichen classes and workshops since his arrival in 2003. Gary is an Eagle Hill alumnus, having taken the Crustose Lichen workshop taught by Irwin Brodo in 2005. In 2016 Gary earned an M.S. degree from North Carolina State University with the thesis: “Assessing Highway Pollution Effects on Forest Lichen Communities in Western Wake County, North Carolina, USA.” Gary has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals and newsletters from 2005 to the present and manages the lichen collection at NCU.
This seminar cost $175. You must register to join.
Click here to register.

SWALLOWTAIL ADVENTURES — For gender-nonconforming youth ages 11–16
2022-04-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Flying Deer Nature Center, 122 Daley Rd., East Chatham, NY
March 12, April 9, May 7 (field trip), & June 18
»10:00 am–4:00 pm each day
This monthly Saturday program provides a safe and fun space for trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer youth to explore the natural world, gain wilderness skills, and build community with one another. Within this caring container, young people can learn, play, take on healthy challenges, step into their leadership, and just be themselves!
Click here to learn more about this program and register.

Spring Birding Series
2022-04-09 07:30 - 11:30 | Multiple Locations Outdoors
Join Zach Adams from Mass Audubon for a 3 part series on spring birding. Sign up for the whole series of three for a discounted price.
Location: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox MA
Instructor: Zach Adams – Teacher Naturalist, Berkshires
Audience: Adult
Members: $44
Nonmembers: $59
Session 1– Spring Waterfowl Workshop at Berkshire Lakes and Ponds
Saturday, April 9 @ 7:30 — 11:30 AM
Enjoy the courting displays and sounds of ducks and geese as they make their way back to their breeding grounds in the north. Spring is an exciting time to witness some entertaining displays, like that of the hooded merganser or the eerie but beautiful sounds of the wood duck as they settle into their breeding grounds. We will tour the Berkshire lakes and ponds, beginning with Richmond Pond in search of spring’s great diversity of waterfowl.
Session 2– Spring Warblers by Sight and Sound at Lime Kiln Farm
Saturday, May 21 @ 7:30 — 10:00 AM
Sift though the challenging but rewarding migrating warblers as they refuel on their swift journey back to their breeding grounds. Lime Kiln Farm’s younger forest can lend great opportunities to watch warblers from closer treetops, but also a great place to hear a huge variety of warblers and other spring birds. Binoculars and ears are the best equipment for this workshop!
Session 3– Birding by Ear at Pleasant Valley
Saturday, June 11 @ 8:00 — 10:00 AM
Spring birdsong is a symphony worth hearing and an insight into the world of our feathered friends. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a great spot for learning bird song in the forest, fields, and wetlands. We will dive into the world of birdsong, from woodpeckers to warblers. Bring binoculars if you’d like, but your ears are the only requirement.
Registration is required to join these events. Click here to register.

Western Boot Camp on Environmental Law
2022-04-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-03-31 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-03-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Online
Thursdays, March 24, 31 & April 7
Since 1990, ELI has educated new and seasoned environmental professionals on the substance and practice of environmental law in our highly rated signature program, Environmental Law Boot Camp. Join ELI virtually on March 24, March 31, and April 7 for this year’s Western Boot Camp, and experience a three-day immersion in environmental law from the comfort of your home or office.
Substantive areas to be covered include:
Day 1 – March 24

Clean Water Act
Ethics & Environmental Law
Clean Air Act
Agriculture and the Environment

Day 2 – March 31

Climate Change
Environmental Justice
RCRA & CERCLA
Energy Law

Day 3 – April 7

Environmental Liabilities in Business Transactions
Environmental Enforcement
Project Development

Designed for new and seasoned professionals, this intensive course explores the substance and practice of environmental law. Our top-class faculty members are respected practitioners who bring environmental law, practice, and emerging issues to life through concrete examples, cases, and practice concerns in this three-day intensive course for ELI members.
Networking opportunities offered throughout!
Questions? Visit https://www.eli.org/boot-camp/western-boot-camp-environmental-law
Hurry! Registration closes March 18!

Sky Dance of the American Woodcock
2022-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Multiple Locations Outdoors
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. Visit Mass Audubon’s meadows to 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.
Registration is required to join this outing. It cost $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers. There are four different opportunities for you to view the woodcock’s sky dance:
Lime Kiln Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheffield, MA
Wednesday, March 16 @ 7 – 8 PM (Register here)
Friday, March 18 @ 7 – 8 PM (Register here)
Housatonic Wildlife Management Area in Lenox, MA
Wednesday, March 23 @ 7 – 8 PM (Register here)
Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield
Friday, March 25 @ 7 – 8 PM (Register here)
