Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:38AM / Saturday, December 28, 2024 | |
The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others. Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former >> Read More |
Berkshire Green Drinks Feature BEAT Update| 12:26PM / Thursday, December 05, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for their final Green Drinks presentation of 2024, where BEAT staff will talk about the organization's work of this past year and explore what comes next as the new year approaches. The virtual gathering will take place by Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 6:00 to 7:15 PM. Be part of the discussion and hear about the ongoing air quality monitoring work BEAT's Breathe Easy Berkshires program is doing, the organization's continued work in improving aquatic and terrestrial wildlife connectivity, progress made on BEAT's Environmental Leadership & Education Center,
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BEAT Looks to Decarbonization of Last Berkshire Peaker PlantBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:31PM / Monday, November 25, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Environmentalists feel community cooperation may help move the needle on the county's last peaker plant transitioning to clean energy.
During Wednesday's Berkshire Green Drinks event hosted by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Rosemary Wessel discussed possible green outcomes for Pittsfield Generating Co. on Merrill Road.
"It might be in the interest of the city to leave behind yesterday's technology and start looking at what a clean energy future might look like," said Wessel, No Fracked Gas in Mass program director.
"By replacing it, decarbonizing our last peaker power plant could show that Pittsfield is forward-looking, an
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Dalton Green Committee Needs Survey Participants By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:24PM / Saturday, November 09, 2024 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee needs more responses for its climate action plan survey. Only 40 responses have come back, 33 digital and seven hard copies, which is only about a third of the way to the committee's goal of 96, committee member Todd Logan said during Wednesday's meeting. The plan aims to guide the town toward achieving the state's net zero goal by 2050 by seeking strategies to decrease its dependence on fossil fuels for homes, businesses, municipal facilities, and vehicles. The plan should be detailed enough that the town knows what it needs to do and when to complete each subproject on time. A key >> Read More |
Dalton Green Committee Member Receives MassRecycle AwardBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:45PM / Saturday, September 28, 2024 | |
Thomas Irwin DALTON, Mass. — Local environmental activist and Green Committee member Dr. Thomas Irwin was awarded the inaugural outstanding volunteer award during MassRecycle's 29th annual award ceremony. MassRecycle is a statewide non-profit coalition dedicated to improving sustainable materials management, recycling, and organics reduction and diversion. According to its website, it works with various stakeholders, including municipalities, institutions, waste service providers, and others, to advocate for "sustainable materials management policies and programs." During the ceremony, the nonprofit recognized several individuals, >> Read More |
Zebra Mussels Detected in Pittsfield's Onota LakeBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:16PM / Tuesday, August 20, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city thought it was in the clear for zebra mussels — until last week. The public is asked to be vigilant about washing recreation equipment that has come in contact with Onota Lake.
The city announced on Friday that the invasive species had been observed at the lake by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
"This discovery was made as part of regular monitoring of the lake for these types of invasive species," wrote Catherine VanBramer, director of administrative services.
"This detection only impacts boating operations at the lake and has no impact to other recreational uses of the lake."
For the best
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Dalton Climate Panel Stresses Funding Needs, Collaboration By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Thursday, August 08, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The town's Climate Action Plan needs to consider funding sources and collaboration with large businesses, said Steering Committee members at their first meeting last week. Over the course of about 10 months, volunteers will be working with the consultant Blue Strike Environmental to develop a plan in an attempt to achieve net zero by 2050, in line with the state's goal. The plan will consider the town's needs and capabilities and seek strategies to decrease its dependence on fossil fuels for homes, businesses, municipal facilities, and vehicles. The Steering Committee consists of individuals ranging in age and >> Read More |
Volunteers Needed To help Clean Housatonic River| 08:00AM / Tuesday, August 06, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Volunteers are needed to help clean up the west branch of the Housatonic River with Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) at their final river cleanup of 2024 on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9 AM to noon. After the cleanup, volunteers will be provided a complimentary lunch. Volunteers must RSVP in advance to reserve a free lunch. Participants should meet at Westside Riverway Park, 181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, at 9 AM on Aug. 10. Cleanup teams will disperse to nearby locations, gathering miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. BEAT will also >> Read More |
Dalton Select Board Approves Research into EV Charging StationsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Thursday, July 25, 2024 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board expressed its support in continuing to research the prospect of installing level three electric vehicle fast charging stations in town. During its meeting earlier this month, Green Committee member Tony Pagliarulo gave a presentation by Connecticut solar energy company Earthlight Technologies. "We have no fast chargers in Berkshire County other than the Tesla banks down in South County. So fast chargers are really the future. I mean, you're going to charge up in 30 to 40 minutes, and then you're on your way," Pagliarulo said. Due to the number of tax credits and incentives available for the town >> Read More |
Two Berkshire Peaker Plants Have Been Put in the PastBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
07:44AM / Sunday, July 21, 2024 | |
The plant on Merrill Road owned by Pittsfield Generating. BEAT says the company has been in talks with the group. LEE, Mass. — Two peaker plants in Berkshire County have been out of service for two years and have been demolished. Local environmentalists are rejoicing.
"It's phenomenal," said Rosemary Wessel of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. "To actually see the physical proof of a peaker plant not just shut down but removed is just more than we really expected and it's really great."
Peaking power plants — also known as peaker plants — run when there is a high demand for electricity. Facilities on Woodland Road in Lee and
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