Berkshire Communities Awarded Funds for Ecological Restoration Projects | 07:55AM / Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | |
BOSTON—The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $2.9 million in grants to support ecological restoration projects across Massachusetts. This funding, provided by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), will strengthen resilience against extreme weather events, improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and restore crucial wildlife habitat. "Massachusetts has over 25,000 culverts, most of which are undersized. By replacing these outdated culverts with larger, safer structures, we can better prepare our communities for severe weather," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary >> Read More |
Aggie Commissioner Stresses Food Access During Berkshires TourBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:38AM / Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | |
Sarah and James Schultz of Red Shirt Farm. They have continued their community-supported agriculture program in addition to the new farm store. LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Like the land it maintains, the farming community has an ecosystem of its own centered on collaboration in an effort to improve access to locally grown food. This was evident on Friday, during state Agricultural Commissioner Ashley Randle's tour of four of the county's agricultural enterprises: Second Drop Farm and Red Shirt Farm Store in Lanesborough, Multicultural Bridge's Solidarity Farm in Great Barrington, and Sheffield Farmers Market. "The theme has been >> Read More |
Berkshire Green Drinks: Monitoring Air Pollution in Pittsfield| 08:11AM / Wednesday, August 06, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Andrew Ferrara and Drake Reed will speak at the August Berkshire Green Drinks event on Wednesday, Aug. 13. This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at Wander Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM. Attendees will learn about the scope of the Breathe Easy Berkshires ambient air quality project, a local effort to monitor air pollution in Pittsfield. The presentation will cover the motivation behind starting the project, the progress made in the research, and findings to date—including >> Read More |
EPA Announces Availability of Funding for Brownfields Job Training Program Grants| 07:25AM / Sunday, August 03, 2025 | |
BOSTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfields Job Training Grants Program. These grants put the agency's commitment to protect human health and the environment into action while remaining good stewards of tax dollars and advancing policies to energize the economy. "The Brownfields Job Training Grants Program is a prime example of how we can be both environmental stewards and champions of good-paying jobs for American families," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and >> Read More |
Comments Accepted on Kirvin Park Ecological Improvements| 10:29AM / Friday, July 25, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield, Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees, and General Electric Co. are working together on a significant floodplain and habitat restoration and enhancement project at Kirvin Memorial Park, 974 Williams St. The project will improve the conditions of approximately 17 acres in the floodplain of Sackett and Ashley Brooks in the south end of Kirvin Memorial Park by removing invasive plant species and establishing native vegetation. In addition, existing wetlands will be expanded into a portion of the floodplain area. The invasive plants collectively impair the overall habitat diversity and functions of the ecosystem. The >> Read More |
Repairs Planned for Silver Lake's Underwater CapBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:27AM / Friday, July 25, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Starting next month, a thinning portion of Silver Lake's underwater cap will be repaired.
During a public hearing on Tuesday, members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England Region 1 and General Electric detailed the three-week-long project beginning in August. An additional 6 to 9 inches of cap material will infill a three-quarter acre area of the lake, totaling about 810 cubic yards.
In 2023, monitoring required by the 2000 Consent Decree revealed that a southern area of the cap along East Street reduced to a thickness of 9.4 inches, down from 14. Work will be done behind the site of the former Kentucky Fried
>> Read More |
Nature Conservancy Welcomes Hikers to New Washington TrailBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:06AM / Monday, July 21, 2025 | |
A kiosk offers information on the trail and conserved woodlands. WASHINGTON, Mass. — The Nature Conservancy created a trail along Coles Brook with the property's history in mind.
On Friday, the nonprofit held the first guided walk through the Headwaters Trail Loop, located in the Coles Brook Preserve. The nearly 1,500-acre property that spans into Middlefield now has a 1.2-mile trail with an OPDMD (other power-driven mobility devices) route.
The conservancy hasn't had a trail opening for more than 25 years, and now has about 10 statewide. Coles Brook is one of the organization's largest state preserves and consists of shrubby wetlands,
>> Read More |
Parks Commission Hears Complaints Over Pontoosuc Park Shore AccessBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:46AM / Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | |
The site visit preceded a meeting of the Parks Commission PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A site visit to the south side of Pontoosuc Lake Park on Tuesday turned combative at times as attendees passionately voiced their discontent on renovation work they say limits access to the water. The city planted 1,088 shrubs along the shoreline — service berry, buttonbush, silky dogwood, and nine other species. Some of the two dozen people who attended the site visit complained that the plantings are obstacles to using the shore for swimming, boating and fishing. "We gotta remember this lake is used by everybody that belongs to the Commonwealth of >> Read More |
Roots Rising Receives Grant for Farm & Education CenterBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | |
The existing house at the farm can be seen in this provided photo. It will eventually be renovated and expanded. The nonprofit hopes to provide housing for farming apprentices. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Roots Rising recently received a $200,000 Cultural Facilities Fund grant to help build a new farm and education center. "To have MCC and MassDevelopment believe in our vision and make a tangible commitment to our young people, our local food system, and our community is so meaningful to us. It validates the work we have done and the future we are building together!" Executive Director and co-founder Jessica Vecchia, said in an email. In February >> Read More |
Berkshire Green Drinks to Discuss Rat Poison Hazards and Proposed Legislation| 08:06AM / Wednesday, June 04, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Green Drinks will host a discussion on the potential hazards of rat poison to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, along with information regarding pending legislation in Massachusetts aimed at restricting its use. The event, titled "Rescue Raptors: Regulate Rat Poison," will feature local activists Peggy White and Richard Clapper. The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, and will be accessible both online via Zoom and in person at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1 School St. An in-person social gathering is planned to begin around 5:15 PM, with the presentation and Zoom meeting commencing at 6:00 >> Read More |
|
|
