November 23, 2022

Hi Team,

Do you have an old MacBook laptop that you never use anymore? If that’s the case and you’re willing to donate it, BEAT is in need of two Apple laptops for our volunteers to use when they're helping with data entry at BEAT’s Center. We would be happy to take it off your hands and very much appreciate it! Please email [email protected].

The holiday season has begun; for many, this is a time of reflection and gratitude. We here at BEAT certainly feel grateful for each of you and for all those who support our organization and make our work possible. Thanks for being part of what makes BEAT so great and for all you do to protect the environment! We couldn’t do this without you.

—with gratitude

Jane, Rose, Jake, Noah, and Chelsey

Our new wood frog shirts!

We have some exciting news — BEAT has a new t-shirt design, and we launched another online campaign to share it with all of you!

Similar to our spotted salamander shirt, a BEAT staff member hand-painted and designed this wood frog. The t-shirts are high quality, and the design is printed using the direct-to-garment (DTG) method, which will keep the frog from peeling as it ages and goes through washes.

There are lots of colors, types of shirts, and several different designs to choose from — all in our online bonfire store. Also, if you order a shirt within the next 13 days, it should arrive at your front door before the holidays!

IN THE NEWS

October 2022 Reader Photo Gallery

Northern Woodlands

"October photos featured colorful fungi, mountain views and – taking advantage of the unusually warm weather – a surprising number of late season herps. Check out Tami Gingrich’s ballooning baby spider, Eric D’Aleo’s hungry porcupine, Frank Kaczmarek’s panoramic scene of a pondside woods in full fall color. A view of what’s to come: Karina Dailey’s photo of the first white on Maine’s Old Speck Mountain." See Photos

New England's forests are an underused tool in the climate fight, study says

Dharna Noor | The Boston Globe

"New England’s vast forests, sprawling across three-quarters of six states, are silent but massive stalwarts against climate pollution in the region, devouring tens of millions of tons of greenhouse gas pollution each year and preventing it from accumulating in the atmosphere.

But a new report says policymakers should do more to protect them, and that they could be taking steps that would even increase their carbon-storing potential." Read More

Grants would fund conservation in the Deerfield River Watershed

Brattleboro Reformer

"Funding is now available for organizations and projects based in Vermont and Massachusetts that support watershed conservation, develop low-impact recreational and educational facilities, and/or plan, design, maintain, and monitor such facilities in the Deerfield River Watershed. [...] Grants are awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects or continued funding for existing programs. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteer monitoring projects, events, trail work projects, field trips, educational workshops, media campaigns and improving public access sites. The review committee encourages applicants to consider projects that support marginalized populations and promote environmental justice. Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and units of local and regional government within Vermont and Massachusetts. Projects must be located within the Deerfield River Basin or in towns with some portion falling within the basin." Read More

Berkshire Bounty receives $100,000 earmark in economic development bill

Berkshire Bounty Press Release

"Berkshire Bounty is pleased to announce the award of a $100,000 earmark in the recently passed State Economic Development Bill. The strong advocacy and support of Representative Smitty Pignatelli and his office helped to secure this important investment in fighting food insecurity in Berkshire County. [...] Berkshire Bounty is a 501(c)3 food rescue organization with the mission to fight food insecurity by collecting, purchasing and delivering nutritious food to build capacity, close gaps and improve quality of food in the emergency food system. Berkshire Bounty works with a network of 25 retailers and local farms and distributes food to 19 food pantries, senior centers and school districts all throughout Berkshire County." Read More

State law now requires development of conservation land be replaced with newly protected land

Paula Moura | WBUR

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill environmental activists have supported for two decades known as the Public Lands Preservation Act. The new law aims to guarantee that the total area of public parks and conservation land doesn’t decrease." Read More

Conservation: Explosion in frog numbers after mass pond digging

Rowenna Hoskin | BBC News

"Switzerland has reversed the decline of more than half of endangered frogs, toads, and newts in one region, research finds. After conservationists dug hundreds of new ponds in the canton of Aargau, amphibian numbers significantly increased. The European tree frog population in particular 'exploded', scientists say. Scientists hope this method could be used globally as pond building is simple and effective. Globally amphibian populations are in significant decline due to factors including habitat loss, urbanisation, road infrastructure, disease and invasive species." Read More

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

We list events from a variety of local and regional organizations and individuals.

Events with BEAT:

Check back next week!

Community Calendar:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Go Green on Black Friday Walk (DCR) — Great Falls Discovery Center

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Gorge après Gorge 5k Run/Walk

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Massachusetts Pollinator Network's Monthly Meeting — Online

See Calendar for More

JOBS

We list jobs related to the environment from a variety of organizations.

Berkshire County Postings

Energy Advocate and Community Outreach Coordinator | Ener-g Save | Pittsfield

Head Gardener CSA Manager, Assistant to the Director and Development Office, Membership and Sponsorship Manager, Events Assistant, Farm and Garden Staff, Visitors Services | Hancock Shaker Village | Pittsfield

Postings w/ Deadline

Development Coordinator | Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | Western MA | review begins 11/22

Zero Waste Program Manager | U.S. PIRG | Boston | deadline 11/25

Seed Conservation Intern | Native Plant Trust | Framingham | deadline 11/28

Program Coordinator | Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | Western MA | review begins 11/28

Cranberry Bog Restoration Program Manager | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 12/1

Dam Removal Program Manager | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 12/2

Procurement Specialist | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 12/2

Community Volunteer Ambassador – New England National Scenic Trail | Conservation Legacy | Springfield | deadline 12/9

Environment Massachusetts Clean Energy Advocate | Environment America | Boston | deadline 12/9

Community Volunteer Ambassador – Springfield Armory National Historic Site/Coltsville National Historical Park | Conservation Legacy | Springfield | deadline 12/9

Restoration Partnerships Program Manager | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 12/23

Conservation Agent | Town of Yarmouth | Yarmouth | deadline 12/26

NEW! Director of Bird Conservation | Mass Audubon | Lincoln | deadline 12/31

Fiscal Coordinator | MA Division of Ecological Restoration | Boston | deadline 2/10/23

Recent Postings

NEW! Massachusetts Energy Policy Advocate | Green Energy Consumers Alliance | Boston

NEW! S cience/Nature Program Instructor | Kestrel Educational Adventures | Hamilton

Fisheries Support Members – Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office | American Conservation Experience | Hadley

Executive Director | Franklin County Community Meals Program (FCCMP) | Greenfield

Forest Protection Team Organizer | Sierra Club: MA Chapter | Boston

Ten Mile River Watershed Manager | Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) | Throughout the Housatonic River Valley

Seasonal Conservation Restriction Monitor Winter 22–23 | MA Department of Conservation & Recreation | Eastern MA

TerraCorps Land Stewardship Coordinator with Mass Audubon Oak Knoll Sanctuary | TerraCorps | Attleboro

TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator with Mass Audubon Museum of American Bird Art | TerraCorps | Canton

TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator with East Quabbin Land Trust | TerraCorps | Hardwick

Drinking Water Program Intern | MA Department of Environmental Protection | Remote/Boston

Program Coordinator II | MA Department of Environmental Protection | Remote/Boston

Director of Field Conservation | Zoo New England | Acton

Director of The Solutions to Plastic Pollution Resource Center, Beyond Plastics | Bennington College | Fully remote

Director of Sales (Parental Leave Cover) | Earthwatch | Fully remote or office in Newton

Woods Crew Foreman | Bay State Forestry Service | Northfield

Director of Communication | Earthwatch | Anywhere in the U.S.

Kitchen Assistant | Diemand Farm | Wendell

Click Here for More Jobs

Environmental Monitor

November 9, 2022

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:

• Williamstown – Schow Pond Restoration Project – ENF – site visit 11/2/22 - comments due 11/7/22

• North Adams – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – bridge replacement on Route 2 over the Hoosic River – posted 10/24/2022

• Pittsfield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program – Aquatic management – Carr Residence – Parker Pond, 669 Churchill Street – posted 10/24/2022

CT River Valley Index:

• Springfield – Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam Improvements Project – EENF – comments due 12/9/22

• Westfield – Westfield River Levee Multi-Use Path Project – Single EIR – comments due 11/23/22

Statewide Index:

• Notice of Federal Consistency Review – the US EPA is proposing to issue the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Small Wastewater Treatment Facilities General Permit Modification (“Small WWTF GP Modification”) to eligible WWTFs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – posted 11/9/22

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.

BEAT Public Notices PAGE

Berkshire Environmental Action Team

20 Chapel St., Pittsfield, MA 01201

(413) 464-9402

[email protected]

www.thebeatnews.org

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