BEAT Celebrating Founding Director Jane Winn's Retirement | 08:27AM / Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The community is invited to join the Berkshire Environmental Action Team in celebrating founding Executive Director Jane Winn's retirement following 22 years of her advocacy for wildlife and the environment. The event will celebrate Winn's legacy and fund raise to support BEAT. The celebration will take place at The Common Room of Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event will include hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and remarks from community partners. There is public parking available across the street from The Common Room at the Fenn Street parking lot. The Common Room is wheelchair >> Read More |
HVA, Follow the Forest Receive $30K to Protect Critical Wildlife Habitat| 10:36AM / Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, has awarded $30,000 to the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and conservation partners to further the Follow the Forest initiative and its mission to protect one of the largest connected wildlife corridors in the eastern United States. "We are deeply grateful to the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation for its support of our Follow the Forest efforts," said Tim Abbott, Executive Director of HVA. "This collaborative work is essential to ensuring that wildlife can move, adapt and thrive on our landscape, now and into >> Read More |
Pittsfield's Kirvin Park Ecological Restoration Staged for SpringBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:43PM / Monday, November 10, 2025 | |
Maps show how invasive buckthorn has spread through the park. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A timeline has been laid out for Kirvin Memorial Park's floodplain and habitat restoration that begins early next year with the selection of a contractor.
Main restoration work is planned to run from April to September 2026. Dennis Lowry, wetland ecologist with AECOM, updated the Conservation Commission on the project last week.
"Obviously, an important part of it is to maintain uses in the park by the public. While this work is ongoing, we don't anticipate any adverse impacts. This is the area where everybody walks their dogs," he explained.
"We
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Pontoosuc Lake Shoreline Access Plan Tabled for RevisionsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:27AM / Monday, November 03, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission has requested another plan to improve access on the south shoreline of Pontoosuc Lake while stabilizing the bank.
Last week, a modified planting plan from the Parks Commission was tabled. The conversation is now centered on how to use alternative erosion controls from the shrubbery that was planted to balance stabilization and access.
"Moving forward, you're going to have to submit a plan to address the erosion and the issues," Chair James Conant said to Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath, representing the city.
"If the issue is planting because people
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Pittsfield City Council: Make Polluters PayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:57AM / Friday, October 17, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City Council supports statewide efforts to make the largest polluters pay. On Tuesday, it voted to back Bill H.1014/S.588, "An Act Establishing a Climate Change Superfund," which is expected to generate $75 billion over 25 years from the largest oil and gas companies. Councilor At Large Alisa Costa and Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren requested their colleagues' support for the legislation. "I think it's really important to hold businesses accountable in ways that we are not able to do right now," Costa said. "…We see the impacts of climate on our community every day, whether it's our drought,
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Apple Picking Destinations in Berkshire CountyBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
10:00AM / Saturday, October 11, 2025 | |
It's apple season! Here are some great locations to spend your day picking your own apples to enjoy the crisp taste or bake into your favorite dishes. Most apple picking is through October, so get yours while you can. Bring your family and friends and spend a day enjoying the Berkshires and their local farms, while learning about where apples come from and be how they grow. 94 Old Cheshire Rd., Lanesborough : Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. With over 4,500 fruit trees it's not hard to pick the apple or other fruit that is perfect for you. Guests also have the option to get already picked fruit. More information >> Read More |
Climate Activists Demand That Polluters PayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Sunday, October 05, 2025 | |
Rachael Boyce of Massachusetts Make Polluter's Pay speaks about educating citizens on the impacts of climate change. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Climate activists are demanding that top polluters pay for their impact on the environment.
In late September, community members and elected officials gathered at the Westside Riverway Park for a "Bridges to the Future" event, featuring state Sen. Paul Mark, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and grassroots organizations from across the region. "We're here to meet and learn about the awesome work that incredible change makers in this community are already doing to not only educate community members about the
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Great Spots to Catch a Fish in Berkshire CountyBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
10:03AM / Saturday, September 27, 2025 | |
Windsor Lake in North Adams is regularly stocked with trout. Summer may be winding down, but there is still plenty of time and great weather to catch some fish. Most major lakes, ponds, and rivers, including the Housatonic, are open to fishing year-round with catch limits; smaller rivers and brooks have catch limits of three after Sept. 11 and eight after April 1. Find a list of fishing seasons and limits here. Berkshire County has scenic places to sail this fall as well as stand on the edge and cast out. North Adams Affectionately known as Fish Pond, this small lake is stocked with rainbow trout, some brook and brown trout, and chain pickerel. Restrooms and dairy bar >> Read More |
Pittsfield Parks Commission Backs Pontoosuc Access PlanBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:45PM / Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has devised a solution for the south shore of Pontoosuc Lake Park that increases access while protecting the bank from erosion.
On Tuesday, the Parks Commission endorsed a plan for four easy-entrance points after community members asserted that bank plantings limited access for fishing and swimming. It will be sent to the Conservation Commission, which will consider modifying the project's permit.
The plan proposes 150 feet of live stake planting removal on the 940-foot stretch of shoreline.
"I think it's important to state that the Pontoosuc Lake Park shoreline has always been accessible. There has been no
>> Read More |
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 |
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