Family Self-Guided Storywalk/Caminata Familiar Autoguiada

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom Enjoy the 1.4-mile trail, flowing river, and learn about the importance of protecting water! A beautifully illustrated, lyrical exploration of the values, connections, and wisdom of Indigenous people as it relates to water and......More

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom Enjoy the 1.4-mile trail, flowing river, and learn about the importance of protecting water! A beautifully illustrated, lyrical exploration of the values, connections, and wisdom of Indigenous people as it relates to water and Mother Earth. This book was inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements in North America to protect water as a sacred source of and for life. While the audience of the book is 3-6-year-olds, the content is great for all ages- even adults! ¡Disfrute del sendero de 1,4 millas, del río caudaloso y conozca además la importancia de proteger el agua! Una exploración lírica, bellamente ilustrada, de los valores, las conexiones y la sabiduría de los indígenas en relación con el agua y la Madre Tierra. Este libro se inspira en los numerosos movimientos liderados por los indígenas en Norteamérica para proteger el agua como fuente sagrada de y para la vida. Si bien la audiencia del libro es de 3 a 6 años, el contenido es ideal para todas las edades, ¡incluso para los adultos! Cuándo:El libro Somos Guardianes del Agua, de Carole Lindstrom, estará en exhibición para una aventura autoguiada desde el sábado 6 de abril hasta el domingo 28 de abril (desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer) en el Sendero de Old Mill en Hinsdale/Dalton Idioma: Este libro se ofrece en inglés y español. DATES: Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 28 LOCATION: Old Mill Trail, Old Dalton Rd, Hinsdale, MA

Old Mill Trail, Old Dalton Rd., Hinsdale, MA

Dam Busters 101: Scoping the Dam Removal Projects and Managing Consultants

Learn about the importance of creating a proper scope of work and strong multidisciplinary team of consultants to help you manage the complexities of working in a riverine environment. Mass Rivers Alliance, along with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration......More

Learn about the importance of creating a proper scope of work and strong multidisciplinary team of consultants to help you manage the complexities of working in a riverine environment. Mass Rivers Alliance, along with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and the Charles River Watershed Association, is pleased to present a series of monthly, lunchtime webinars on a variety of dam removal topics. Each free one-hour webinar will feature: an expert on a facet of dam removal, time for questions and discussion The goal of the series is to give municipal and NGO dam removal project managers the knowledge they need to successfully manage and carry out a dam removal project. An in-person site-visit is planned at the end of the series in the fall of 2024. See website for all slated webinars, registrants may attend as many or as few as needed. DATE: Wednesday, May 1 TIME: 12:00 PM LOCATION: online webinar

Online

Mass Pollinator Network Brown Bag Lunch

A new program from Mass Pollinator Network: Brown Bag LunchThis drop-in Zoom event will happen on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning February 7, from noon to 1pm.  Stop by to meet other pollinator advocates, ask questions of our experts, learn about projects h......More

A new program from Mass Pollinator Network: Brown Bag LunchThis drop-in Zoom event will happen on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning February 7, from noon to 1pm.  Stop by to meet other pollinator advocates, ask questions of our experts, learn about projects happening across the state, talk about your own activities, and more! 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

Tree Walks with BEAT + TOURISTS

Throughout winter and spring, BEAT’s programs director, Chelsey Simmons, will be leading tree walks each month in collaboration with TOURISTS (see dates below). These walks will begin at noon and are free, with the option to donate to BEAT. Learn how to identify trees t......More

Throughout winter and spring, BEAT’s programs director, Chelsey Simmons, will be leading tree walks each month in collaboration with TOURISTS (see dates below). These walks will begin at noon and are free, with the option to donate to BEAT. Learn how to identify trees throughout all the seasons with a local naturalist and tree enthusiast! It may be surprising, but winter is an excellent time for learning tree and shrub identification. The absence of leaves allows one to take a closer look at distinctive features that often get overlooked — like buds, bark, and tree structure. This walk will be stop-and-go and outside the entire time, so please dress for the weather! Space is limited. Registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot. DATE(s): Sunday, November 12 – Sunday, December 17 – Wednesday, December 27 – Sunday, January 14 – Thursday, February 22 – Thursday, April 18 – Thursday, May 2 – Thursday, May 30 TIME: 12 PM to 2 PM LOCATION: TOURISTS, 915 State Rd, North Adams, MA 01247 — Meet in the Lodge.

TOURISTS, 915 State Rd, North Adams, MA, 01247, United States

Bird Walks with Ben Nickley

New birds arrive daily and anything is possible during migration. Green spaces fill with birds sporting their nuptial plumages, belting songs from the treetops–urging us to take a look. Join GBLC and Ben Nickley, President and Executive Director of Berkshire Bird Observ......More

New birds arrive daily and anything is possible during migration. Green spaces fill with birds sporting their nuptial plumages, belting songs from the treetops–urging us to take a look. Join GBLC and Ben Nickley, President and Executive Director of Berkshire Bird Observatory for weekly spring bird walks along the Riverfront Trail.  Meet at the Great Barrington Food Co-op at 5:30 PM on Thursdays, starting April 4th and continuing through May 30. Experience the Riverfront Trail afresh every week, noticing the changes in the natural community around us–from birds to blooms. Take in spring’s splendor together! All are welcome and no birding experience is required. Binoculars are useful–reach out if you need a loner pair. Register Here DATES: Thursdays, April 4 – May 30 TIME: 5:30 PM LOCATION: Berkshire Co-op Market, 34 Bridge St, Great Barrington, MA

Volunteer with BEAT: Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Removal

Consider joining BEAT to help eradicate invasive hardy kiwi vines at Burbank Park in Pittsfield!We go out into the woods every Friday* at 10:00 AM to cut and pull invasive hardy kiwi vines that are overtaking the trees and dominating parts of the landscape in Burbank Pa......More

Consider joining BEAT to help eradicate invasive hardy kiwi vines at Burbank Park in Pittsfield!We go out into the woods every Friday* at 10:00 AM to cut and pull invasive hardy kiwi vines that are overtaking the trees and dominating parts of the landscape in Burbank Park. Anyone and everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience. However, you must be able to walk on a path over rough ground for 5-10 minutes to get to the area where we cut and pull the vines. *Extreme or wet weather cancels this event. COME PREPAREDWe recommend dressing in layers and wearing long pants and socks, in addition to close-toed shoes. Please bring a water. Pulling vines for an hour isn’t easy work. We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated. If you have your own work gloves, loppers, or pruning shears, feel free to bring those along – otherwise, you can borrow some from BEAT. WHEN? Fridays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM — year-roundIf you’re unable to stay the entire time, that’s perfectly okay! We’re happy to have your help in any capacity. WHERE? Meet at the Onota Lake Boat Launch parking lot  DIRECTIONSIf you’re traveling west on West St (i.e., toward Berkshire Community College), you’ll take a right onto Valentine Rd. Continue down Valentine for about half a mile, and Taconic High School will be on your right. Drive past Taconic High. You’ll get to the intersection of Valentine and Lakeway Dr. Take a left onto Lakeway, where you should see a large “Burbank Park” sign, and continue straight (don’t take the slight right!) until you’ve reached the main parking lot and are directly in front of Onota Lake. RSVP! Please email [email protected] if you plan on coming to help. You can also subscribe to receive our email updates about these volunteer opportunities.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU! ___________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT IS HARDY KIWI?Hardy Kiwi is an exotic invasive vine that threatens forests in western Massachusetts through complete domination of mature trees. Once it germinates, it will climb surrounding vegetation and eventually kill its support. Hardy kiwi can grow over 30 feet in a year. It has become a major problem in places such as Kennedy Park and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and now Burbank Park. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Burbank Park Boat Launch, 309 Lakeway Drive, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

Meet & Greet at Red Lion

DATE: Friday, May 3 TIME: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM LOCATION: The Red Lion Inn, 30 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA

Red Lion Inn, 30 Main St., Stockbridge, MA

Gardening Among Hungry Mammals

Part of Grow Native Massachusetts’ Evenings With Experts series It’s hard to imagine, but white-tailed deer were once nearly extinct in dozens of states. Their abundance now puts them at odds with most gardeners, who become frustrated by the ineffectiveness of conventio......More

Part of Grow Native Massachusetts’ Evenings With Experts series It’s hard to imagine, but white-tailed deer were once nearly extinct in dozens of states. Their abundance now puts them at odds with most gardeners, who become frustrated by the ineffectiveness of conventional methods such as use of repellent sprays and so-called “deer-resistant” species that end up getting browsed. Add to the mix all the resident rabbits, squirrels, and groundhogs, and many gardeners are ready to throw in the trowel. But by understanding plant resistance and tolerance strategies as well as animal behaviors and natural histories, we can create resilient gardens that will support a diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate life in our home habitats. Join author Nancy Lawson to discover how a combination of strategies—including mixtures of preferred and unpalatable species, strategic plantings along well-used pathways, and gentle exclusion techniques—can help you trade resistance for peaceful coexistence. Nancy Lawson’s latest book is Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature. A master naturalist and habitat consultant, she pioneers creative wildlife-friendly landscaping methods, and helped launch a community science project, Monarch Rx, based on scientific discoveries made in her own garden. Register Online DATE: Wednesday, May 8 TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM LOCATION: Online via Zoom

Online

Bird Walks with Ben Nickley

New birds arrive daily and anything is possible during migration. Green spaces fill with birds sporting their nuptial plumages, belting songs from the treetops–urging us to take a look. Join GBLC and Ben Nickley, President and Executive Director of Berkshire Bird Observ......More

New birds arrive daily and anything is possible during migration. Green spaces fill with birds sporting their nuptial plumages, belting songs from the treetops–urging us to take a look. Join GBLC and Ben Nickley, President and Executive Director of Berkshire Bird Observatory for weekly spring bird walks along the Riverfront Trail.  Meet at the Great Barrington Food Co-op at 5:30 PM on Thursdays, starting April 4th and continuing through May 30. Experience the Riverfront Trail afresh every week, noticing the changes in the natural community around us–from birds to blooms. Take in spring’s splendor together! All are welcome and no birding experience is required. Binoculars are useful–reach out if you need a loner pair. Register Here DATES: Thursdays, April 4 – May 30 TIME: 5:30 PM LOCATION: Berkshire Co-op Market, 34 Bridge St, Great Barrington, MA

Volunteer with BEAT: Invasive Hardy Kiwi Plant Removal

Consider joining BEAT to help eradicate invasive hardy kiwi vines at Burbank Park in Pittsfield!We go out into the woods every Friday* at 10:00 AM to cut and pull invasive hardy kiwi vines that are overtaking the trees and dominating parts of the landscape in Burbank Pa......More

Consider joining BEAT to help eradicate invasive hardy kiwi vines at Burbank Park in Pittsfield!We go out into the woods every Friday* at 10:00 AM to cut and pull invasive hardy kiwi vines that are overtaking the trees and dominating parts of the landscape in Burbank Park. Anyone and everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience. However, you must be able to walk on a path over rough ground for 5-10 minutes to get to the area where we cut and pull the vines. *Extreme or wet weather cancels this event. COME PREPAREDWe recommend dressing in layers and wearing long pants and socks, in addition to close-toed shoes. Please bring a water. Pulling vines for an hour isn’t easy work. We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated. If you have your own work gloves, loppers, or pruning shears, feel free to bring those along – otherwise, you can borrow some from BEAT. WHEN? Fridays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM — year-roundIf you’re unable to stay the entire time, that’s perfectly okay! We’re happy to have your help in any capacity. WHERE? Meet at the Onota Lake Boat Launch parking lot  DIRECTIONSIf you’re traveling west on West St (i.e., toward Berkshire Community College), you’ll take a right onto Valentine Rd. Continue down Valentine for about half a mile, and Taconic High School will be on your right. Drive past Taconic High. You’ll get to the intersection of Valentine and Lakeway Dr. Take a left onto Lakeway, where you should see a large “Burbank Park” sign, and continue straight (don’t take the slight right!) until you’ve reached the main parking lot and are directly in front of Onota Lake. RSVP! Please email [email protected] if you plan on coming to help. You can also subscribe to receive our email updates about these volunteer opportunities.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU! ___________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT IS HARDY KIWI?Hardy Kiwi is an exotic invasive vine that threatens forests in western Massachusetts through complete domination of mature trees. Once it germinates, it will climb surrounding vegetation and eventually kill its support. Hardy kiwi can grow over 30 feet in a year. It has become a major problem in places such as Kennedy Park and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and now Burbank Park. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Burbank Park Boat Launch, 309 Lakeway Drive, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

Fire Making Workshop

Everyone loves a campfire. We are who we are as modern man because we discovered fire. Join Tes in this workshop where you will learn to make a one-match fire using only material from the earth. Experience and try your hand at primitive friction fire methods, including ......More

Everyone loves a campfire. We are who we are as modern man because we discovered fire. Join Tes in this workshop where you will learn to make a one-match fire using only material from the earth. Experience and try your hand at primitive friction fire methods, including bow drill and fire steel/flint and steel. Sprinkled in throughout the day will be reading the land recognizing animal signs, interpreting bird language and getting to know the trees and plants that surround us. Build a community fire, cook up something from the wild, and enjoy lunch around its light and warmth. Ages 12 and up. Cost $65. To register contact [email protected] DATE: Friday, May 10 TIME: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM LOCATION: 138 Calkins Cross Rd, New Marlborough MA 01230