{"id":1970,"date":"2010-10-02T10:12:18","date_gmt":"2010-10-02T14:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thebeatnews.org\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T14:12:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:12:59","slug":"volunteer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeatnews.org\/BeatTeam\/volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT<\/em><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Below are details on all the ways you can volunteer with BEAT. Send us an email<\/a> if you’re interested in learning more about them, and scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to receive emails about upcoming volunteer opportunities! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please Note<\/span>:<\/strong> Our volunteer policy for minors is that everyone under 18 must have their guardian sign a waiver, and an adult must accompany anyone under 16. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Invasive Hardy Kiwi Eradication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get your exercise and help eradicate this destructive invasive at the same time! Gloves and tools will be provided, but we encourage you to bring extra tools if you have them (loppers, pruning shears, and pruning saws). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardy Kiwi<\/a> is an exotic invasive ornamental that threatens forests in western Massachusetts through the complete domination of mature trees. Once it germinates, it will climb surrounding vegetation and eventually kill its support. It has become a major problem in places such as Kennedy Park, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and Burbank Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong>Two to three times a year that coincides with the plant’s phenology
<\/em>Location<\/span>: <\/strong>Meet at Burbank Park on Onota Lake, off Valentine Road, in Pittsfield
Contact<\/span>:<\/strong> Please email team@thebeatnews.org<\/a> or call (413) 464-9402 if you are planning to attend or want more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Water Quality Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n
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How clean is the water flowing into our rivers?<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

That’s what we are trying to find out\u2014and keep track of! Join us in surveying and sampling outfall pipes flowing directly into the Housatonic River around central and north Berkshire County.
(These volunteer opportunities are only available from April through October.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact<\/span>:<\/strong> team@thebeatnews.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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River Cleanups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each year, BEAT hosts and co-hosts a number of river cleanups in the Housatonic River. Remember how much fun it was when you were a kid, jumping into streams and rivers and playing in the mud?  River cleanups are an opportunity to do that again! There are plenty of ways to help without getting your feet wet, too. Check our event calendar <\/a>for River Cleanup dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information and to get our River Cleanup emails, contact team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amphibian Crossings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to help salamanders and frogs safely move across roadways to their breeding habitats? Join us for one of our amphibian crossings during spring migration! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the first warm, rainy nights of spring, thousands of amphibians \u2014 wood frogs, spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, spring peepers \u2014 leave their overwintering upland forest habitat and make their way to vernal pools in the evening to breed. This annual ritual is known as the “Big Night”; however, it takes place on several nights during late March and early April when the temperatures are above 40\u2109. One of the largest threats migrating amphibians face during Big Nights is getting run over by cars. That’s why we need help during these Big Nights in early spring! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information and to get our Amphibian Crossing emails, contact team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to do a little investigating? BEAT always needs help with inspections in the field, as well as office work research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact<\/span>:<\/strong> team@thebeatnews.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stream Crossing Surveys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Help BEAT improve wildlife movement and habitat connectivity by volunteering to help with our stream crossing surveys!<\/p>\n\n\n

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A stream crossing is any place where a stream intersects a road.  BEAT is participating in a study to map, describe, and catalog every stream crossing in Berkshire County.  This information will be used to improve these crossings and facilitate the movement of wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact<\/span>:<\/strong> team@thebeatnews.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vernal Pools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vernal pools are fragile habitats that support an amazing diversity of wildlife. If you would like to learn how you can find and protect these habitats, contact us at team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Outreach Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Join us at events to help talk to the public about the environment, environmental issues, our work, and more!  Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Website\/Database<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

BEAT maintains a very large website.  We could use your help \u2014 especially if you know a little HTML or MySQL and PHP.  Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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General Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There’s always work to be done \u2014 especially now that we moved into our new home! Let us know if you’d like to help but don’t see a category that fits. Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Surprise us!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a special skill that might be helpful to us, or do you have an idea for a volunteer project?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach out to us at team@thebeatnews.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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