Berkshire Environmental Action Team

Timberdoodles: Sky-Dancing Birds
2026-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 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

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

Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires
2026-03-18 18:00, 2026-02-18 18:00, 2026-01-21 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

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.

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

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

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

Protecting Your Legacy Webinar Series
2026-02-24 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-27 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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.
