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

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

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

Building Better Soil: A Three-Part Soil Health Intensive
2026-06-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA
Join the Northeast Organic Farming Situation, Massachusetts Chapter, for a 3 part series exploring the living world beneath our feet!
Healthy soil is the foundation of productive farms and gardens. In this three-part Soil Health Intensive, participants will explore the living world beneath our feet and learn practical strategies for building resilient, fertile soil. Together we’ll uncover the foundational principles that support thriving growing spaces while examining the physical, chemical, and biological pillars of soil health.
Each workshop will focus on one of these core soil properties and introduce practical tools, observations, and management strategies that growers can apply in their own farms, gardens, and landscapes.
The series will take place at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA. While attending all three sessions provides the most complete learning experience, participants are welcome to attend one, two, or all three workshops throughout the season. Please see individual event pages for details.
This educational series is supported by the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which helps farmers explore soil-building practices and provides resources for those interested in transitioning to organic production.
Learn more and register at this link: https://www.nofamass.org/series/building-better-soil-a-three-part-soil-health-intensive/
DATE: Friday, April 17 | Friday, May 29 | Friday, June 26
TIME: 10:00am – 4:00pm
LOCATION: Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440

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

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

Pittsfield Farmers Market
2026-06-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA
Every Saturday through October, rain or shine!
Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org
DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31
TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pm
LOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

A Nature Year at Pleasant Valley: Spring
2026-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Immerse yourself in a season of local natural history. With a skilled Mass Audubon naturalist as your guide, experience the cycle of the seasons at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox. Gain extensive natural history knowledge, form a community with like-minded, curious adults, and receive the many benefits of spending time outdoors.
Throughout the spring, explore spectacular seasonal phenomena including the migration of salamanders and songbirds.
We will usually start inside with an introduction and then head out for our adventure in the field which will be at least 90 minutes outside. We’ll travel mainly on trails and boardwalks, actively exploring and experiencing various habitats and sanctuary spots.
Adult Program

Registration covers 3 classes starting April 18.
Learn more and register at this link: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/98862-a-nature-year-at-pleasant-valley-spring-3-months
DATES/TIMES: Sat. April 18, 6:00pm – 8:00pm; Sat. May 16, 7:00am – 9:00am; Sat. June 20, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 W Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA 01240
