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Hi Team,
Happy National Moth Week, everyone! Thanks to all those who joined us last Thursday to learn about moths and mothing basics from conservation photographer Carla Rhodes. If you missed it but wish you hadn't, you can watch the recorded presentation on BEAT's Youtube channel.
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Join us this Saturday evening for a hands-on mothing tutorial and a community science event at MassWildlife's Flat Brook Wildlife Management Area with Matthew Rymkiewicz and Carla Rhodes!
We’ll have two moth sheets illuminated with bright lights to attract moths and other cool insects. They’ll begin to accumulate once it gets dark, and as the night goes on, the larger moths will make their way to the sheets. We’ll take a closer look as they gather and try to identify who is who! Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Last but certainly not least, the temperatures are expected to be high over the next three days, meaning more people will be using AC, which means more demand on the electric grid and the possibility of peaker plants being used to meet that demand. Check out the news story below for ways you can help conserve energy over the next few days and oppose these polluting peaker plants!
That's it for now. Thanks for all you do to protect the environment!
Jane, Rose, Chelsey, John, Lucas, and Andrew
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Pittsfield and Hinsdale are receiving state grants for dam repairs
Greta Jochem | The Berkhire Eagle
| "...The state announced Monday that Pittsfield will get $250,000 for design and permitting costs for rehabilitating the Sandwash Reservoir Dam, which is in Washington and owned by Pittsfield, and Hinsdale will get $82,500 for permitting and design for work on the Plunkett Reservoir Dam. Grant funding for the two Berkshire municipalities is part of a $5.6 million package of funding from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Dam and Seawall program for similar projects around the state. Both the Berkshire dams are labeled as high-hazard, meaning a breach would likely cause fatalities and damage to property and infrastructure. As of late 2020, both dams' conditions were rated as fair. There are more than 30 high-hazard dams in the county." READ MORE |
Horsehair Worms
Mary Holland | Naturally Curious
| "Looking much like a thin piece of spaghetti or a horse’s mane or tail hair, Horsehair Worms (Nematomorpha) are an unusual sight to behold. Wiggling and stretching as far and in as many directions as they can, these two to four-inch creatures have an interesting life cycle. Horsehair Worms begin life as eggs laid under water or on nearby vegetation. They are then eaten along with vegetation or drunk with water by a suitable host (beetles, cockroaches, mantises, grasshoppers and crickets). Once inside a host the worm absorbs nutrients through its skin. After several weeks or months, depending on the species, the larva matures into a free-living, water-inhabiting organism (they are capable of traveling over damp terrain, as seen in the photograph). The most famous trait of certain species of Horsehair Worms is their ability to alter the nervous system and behavior of grasshoppers and crickets, causing them to seek water and drown themselves when the worm reaches its adult stage. Once it encounters water, the Horsehair Worm burrows from its host’s body, returning to water to breed, killing the host if it has not drowned already." READ MORE |  |
As temperatures rise, toxic bacteria blooms in Mass. ponds prompt 'stay away' notices
Paula Moura | WBUR
| "Warm weather and sunlight are attracting more than just summer vacationers to ponds in Massachusetts. These conditions are also contributing to "blooms" of cyanobacteria that public health officials warn can be harmful to humans and pets. This week, harmful blooms were detected in nine Massachusetts ponds, prompting the state to issue an updated advisory. Experts including from the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control say climate change increases the occurrence of these harmful blooms in the U.S. Studies point to bodies of water used for recreation in the Northeast as among the areas at risk of these blooms. [...] While algal blooms are not always toxic, experts warn that cyanobacteria blooms in particular are a cause for concern. They can release “cyanotoxins” that — when touched, ingested or inhaled — can cause stomach aches and other illnesses. Cyanobacteria are found naturally in all types of water, but blooms signal an unbalanced growth that usually happens when they feed off nutrients from fertilizer and human and animal waste runoff." READ MORE | |  |
#ShaveThePeak... 3 days of high temps start [today]!
Green Energy Consumers Alliance
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"Conserve electricity from 4-8pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. Over the next few days, demand for air conditioning will mean extra pollution. Let's #ShaveThePeak! Save energy from 4-8pm each day from July 26th - 28th to help clean up our grid.
What to do each day:
- Use less AC - WHEN you use electricity matters, so pre-cool your home with AC earlier in the afternoon and keep those blinds closed. At 4pm, turn it off or use less. During the peak alert hours, use fans instead.
- Don’t do the laundry. If you do, wash in cold water.
- Don’t run the dishwasher.
- If you have an electric car, don't charge. Instead, schedule your charging session for 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Avoid peak times!
Thanks for taking steps to clean up our electric grid! Stay cool!" LEARN MORE
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Birds have learned to use our 'anti-bird' spikes to protect their own nests: 'The ultimate adaptation'
Vishwam Sankaran | The Independent
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"In the courtyard of a hospital in the city of Antwerp in Belgium, a patient discovered something strange in a huge bird nest.
High up in a tree, magpies had made a huge nest using up to 1,500 metal spikes, building what scientists describe as an impregnable fortress.' Dutch biologists who analysed the nest say the birds may have pulled as many as 50m (150ft) of anti-bird pins from the eaves, and appear to have used them exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest.' The finding, along with those of similar ones, suggest birds are stealing and using anti-bird spikes on many buildings to build their own defense around their nests in what scientists call 'the ultimate adaptation' to city life." READ MORE
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Big Thicket National Preserve Plugging Two Orphaned Oil Wells
National Parks Traveler
| "Work is underway in Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas to plug two orphaned oil wells, work that was made possible with $550,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Methane pollution from unplugged wells is a serious safety hazard and a significant driver of climate change. Last year, the preserve received funding from the same source to close seven other orphaned wells.[...]This additional funding will increase the preserve's capacity to remediate more orphaned wells. Oil and gas drilling and production were prevalent in the area prior to the establishment of the national preserve in 1974. Exactly how many orphaned wells there might be in Big Thicket is unknown. In coordination with the Texas Railroad Commission, the National Park Service continues to address needed remediation work across a variety of habitats in the preserve." READ MORE | |
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OBSERVING MOTHS AT NIGHT: A MOTHING TUTORIAL
Saturday, July 29th from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
at Flat Brook Wildlife Management Area, West Stockbridge, MA
BERKSHIRE GREEN DRINKS: MASSACHUSETTS WILD TROUT FISHERIES WITH MASSWILDLIFE'S ADAM KAUTZA
Wednesday, August 9th from 5 PM to 7 PM
at The Stationery Factory, Dalton, MA & Online via Zoom
TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK
Saturday, August 19th from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
at Lower Bowker's Woods, Stockbridge, MA
BEAT'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Saturday, September 2nd, from 1 PM to 3 PM
at BEAT's Environmental Leadership & Education Center, Pittsfield, MA
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
We list events from a variety of local and regional organizations and individuals.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
Save Money on an Electric Car: Rebates & Incentives — Online
THURSDAY, JULY 27
Electric Vehicles 101 — Online
FRIDAY, JULY 28
Volunteer with BEAT: Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Removal — Pittsfield
Discover Greylock Hikes (DCR) — Mount Greylock, Adams
SATURDAY, JULY 29
Guided Hike: Examine Local Effects of Climate Change (WRL) — Petersburg, NY
Tuning In: The Basics of Bird Language (GBLC) — Great Barrington
Observing Moths at Night: A Lightsheet & Mothing Tutorial at Flat Brook WMA (BEAT) — West Stockbridge
SUNDAY, JULY 30
Field Lecture on Pollinators & Flowers with Joan Edwards (Bee Friendly Williamstown) — Williamstown
Where are the Wildlands? The Case for New National Parks (Bascom Lodge) — Mount Greylock, Adams
MONDAY, JULY 31
Massachusetts Policy Roundup — Online
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
VOLUNTEER: Invasive Plant Removal & Ecological Restoration at BEAT's Center — Pittsfield
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
Scenic Summit Tours of Mt. Greylock (DCR) — Adams
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6
Scenic Summit Tours of Mt. Greylock (DCR) — Adams
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
LEARN! Pollinator Protection Collaboration (BNRC) — Online
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
Berkshire Green Drinks; Massachusetts Wild Trout Fisheries with MassWildlife's Adam Kautza (BEAT) — Dalton & Online
See Calendar for More
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JOBS
We list jobs related to the environment from a variety of organizations.
Berkshire County Postings
Berkshire Clean, Cold and Connected Restoration Coordinator | Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) | Stockbridge
Postings with Deadline
Invasives Species Technician (Seasonal) | New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation | Bear Mountain, NY | deadline 7/27
NEW! Energy & Materials Conservation Manager | Town of Longmeadow | Longmeadow | deadline 7/28
Executive Director | Connecticut Forest & Park Association | Rockfall, CT | deadline 7/30
NEW! Ecological Restoration Manager | Barnstable Clean Water Coalition | Osterville | deadline 7/31
Communications & Outreach Associate | Columbia Land Conservancy | Chatham, NY | deadline 7/31
NEW! Archeologist and Biological Science Technician | USDA Forest Service | Various | deadline 8/02
Outdoor Educator | The Ashokan Center | Olivebridge, NY | deadline 8/04
NEW! Environmental Community Organizer | Community Action Works | Boston | deadline 8/11
NEW! Vice President of Finance and Operations | Columbia Land Conservancy | Chatham, NY | deadline 8/18
NEW! Research Fellow - Timber Products Output Survey | University of Massachusetts | Amherst | deadline 8/30
Stevens Coolidge House and Gardens Steward | The Trustees of Reservations | North Andover | deadline 8/31
Director of Land Protection | Sudbury Valley Trustees | Sudbury | deadline 8/31
Senior Accountant | New England Forestry Foundation | Littleton | deadline 8/31
Trail Worker | Conservation Works, LLC | Hatfield | deadline 9/01
Senior Land Protection Specialist | Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy | Kent, CT | deadline 9/30
Director of Stewardship | Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy | Kent, CT | deadline 9/30
Recent Postings
NEW! Open Space Protection Manager | Town of Ipswich | Ipswich
NEW! Energy Advocate | Energ-G-save | Western MA
Assistant Communications and Outreach Specialist – USFWS Northeast Regional Office | American Conservation Experience | Hadley
Conservation Implementation Specialist | American Farmland Trust | Remote, MA
Climate-Smart Wood Sourcing Specialist | New England Forestry Foundation | Littleton
Outreach Manager for Climate-Smart Forestry | New England Forestry Foundation | Littleton
Habitat Specialist | The Trustees of Reservations | MA, Statewide
AmeriCorps Service Member | TerraCorps | Lowell
Wildlife Technician – Part Time | Meridian Bird Removal | Ithaca, NY
Curriculum Director & School Liaison | Cooler Communities | Western MA
Operations Manager | Resource Environmental Solutions LLC | Albany, NY
Restoration Technician | Resource Environmental Solutions LLC | Albany, NY
Click Here for More Jobs
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Environmental Monitor
July 10, 2023
The Environmental Monitor provides information on projects under review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, recent MEPA decisions of the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and public notices from environmental agencies.
Berkshire Index:
• Cheshire – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – Hoosac Lake/Cheshire Reservoir invasive and Nuisance Aquatic Plant Management Activities will include herbicides, diver-assisted suction harvesting, mechanical harvesting, and benthic barriers to control invasive and nuisance aquatic plant growth in the lake – posted 6/23/23
• Many towns – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – CSX’s vegetation control program – comments due 7/21/2023
• Hinsdale – George Schnopp Road Dam Breach Emergency Stabilization – ENF Certificate – Requires an [AMENDED] Environmental Notification Form - issued 6/23/23
CT River Valley Index:
• Easthampton – Sierra Vista Commons – EENF – comments due 8/9/23
• Westfield – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – installation of a raw water transmission main underneath an existing roadway adjacent to bordering vegetated wetlands and within Outstanding Resource Waters – posted 7/10/23
• Chester – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – replacement of culvert beneath Kinne Brook Road – posted 6/23/23
• Amherst – University of Massachusetts Campus Pond Dredge Project – Notice of Project Change – comments due 7/13/23
• Greenfield – Proposed ALDI Grocery Store – ENF – comments due7/24/23
• Belchertown – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – Gulf Road Culvert Replacement to 1.2 times bankful width – comments due 7/7/23
• Springfield, Longmeadow – Western Massachusetts Gas Reliability Project – DEIR – comments now due 7/7/23 – BEAT is watching this one closely!
• Westfield, West Springfield, Holyoke – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – Pioneer Valley Railroad – comments due 6/23/23
Statewide Index:
Nothing New
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Public Notices
Public Notices listed here are from a variety of sources, from town conservation commissions and select boards to state and federal agencies. These listings are for Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties. Listings are only posted if they are environmental in nature. You can find all public notices for Massachusetts here.
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Berkshire Environmental Action Team
20 Chapel St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 464-9402
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