Building Better Soil: A Three-Part Soil Health Intensive

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 ......More

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 26TIME: 10:00am – 4:00pmLOCATION: Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440

Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA

Housatonic River Cleanup

Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is ......More

Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is a beautiful stretch of the Housatonic River running south from Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes and joining with the East Branch on the south end of Pittsfield. BEAT and HVA staff and volunteers have been taking to the river in waders, boots, and canoes to pull out trash and keep the river beautiful for several years now. Since beginning annual cleanups, our efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller — and that wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Join us to help support the health of our Housatonic River! We will meet at the Westside Riverway Park in Pittsfield before cleanup teams disperse to nearby locations to gather miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. We’ll finish cleaning up around noon and then eat some lunch, which will be provided for free to all participants. REGISTER HERE DATE: Saturday, June 27th (Rain Date Saturday, August 22nd) TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM LOCATION: Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, MA

Westside Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave., Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Every Saturday through October, rain or shine! Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pmLOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA

Habitat Chat

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 communit......More

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

Online

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Every Saturday through October, rain or shine! Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pmLOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Every Saturday through October, rain or shine! Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pmLOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA

Act on Climate with 350Mass Berkshires

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, hom......More

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: [email protected] DATES: 3rd Wednesdays TIME: 6:00 PM LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Online

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Every Saturday through October, rain or shine! Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pmLOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA

Observing Moths at Night: Light-sheeting Demo at Chesterwood

Every year during the last week of July, National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, diversity, life cycles, and ecological importance of moths — while also raising awareness about the global decline of these essential insects. People of all ages and experience levels are......More

Every year during the last week of July, National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, diversity, life cycles, and ecological importance of moths — while also raising awareness about the global decline of these essential insects. People of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to explore, observe, and document moths right in their own backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Matthew Rymkiewicz at Chesterwood on Friday, July 24, from 8:30–11:30 PM for a nighttime light-sheeting demonstration in celebration of National Moth Week! Using illuminated sheets to attract moths and other nocturnal insects, we’ll watch as these fascinating creatures begin to appear after dark. As the evening progresses, larger and more diverse species will arrive, offering a closer look at their incredible patterns, colors, and adaptations. Participants are welcome to drop in any time during the program—no experience necessary, just curiosity. Come for a few minutes or stay for the whole evening as we observe, photograph, and try to identify the critters that gather at the sheets. DATE: Friday, July 24 TIME: 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM LOCATION: 4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA COST: Free! REGISTER IN ADVANCE About the Demonstration LeaderMatthew Rymkiewicz is an avid naturalist, birder, photographer, and amateur entomologist based in Dutchess County, NY. Over the past nine years, he has hosted events during National Moth Week in the Taconics and Berkshires region. A former musician and non-profit manager, Matthew works in IT at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, where the birding is off the charts. This event is in collaboration with Chesterwood, the summer estate and studio of American sculptor Daniel Chester French.

Chesterwood, 4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, United States

Housatonic River Cleanup

Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is ......More

Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Each summer, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) work together to remove trash from the west branch of the Housatonic River. The West Branch is a beautiful stretch of the Housatonic River running south from Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes and joining with the East Branch on the south end of Pittsfield. BEAT and HVA staff and volunteers have been taking to the river in waders, boots, and canoes to pull out trash and keep the river beautiful for several years now. Since beginning annual cleanups, our efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller — and that wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Join us to help support the health of our Housatonic River! We will meet at the Westside Riverway Park in Pittsfield before cleanup teams disperse to nearby locations to gather miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. We’ll finish cleaning up around noon and then eat some lunch, which will be provided for free to all participants. REGISTER HERE DATE: Saturday, July 25th (Rain Date: Saturday, August 22nd) TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM LOCATION: Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, MA

Westside Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave., Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Every Saturday through October, rain or shine! Find more details here: farmersmarketpittsfield.org DATE: Saturday, May 9 – Saturday, October 31TIME: 9:00am – 1:00pmLOCATION: The Common, 100 First St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Pittsfield Common, 100 1st St., Pittsfield, MA