|
Butterflies Like it Hot at Mountain MeadowBy Tor Hansen, iBerkshires columnist
02:26PM / Sunday, October 25, 2020 | |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Adventuresome butterflies highlight the widespread nectar oases in a special habitat teaming with nectar to meet their spurious flight demands. Thanks to lucid awareness of the ecological value of so many concurrent species — upwards to 30 — the Trustees of Reservations has saved these 20 acres called Mountain Meadow Preserve. Although seldom seen altogether since they have different flight periods, and separate nectar preferences, a surprising assortment of butterflies can be seen imbibing at the same plant. What a potpourri! Hardly a dull moment in July. Milkweed reached peak bloom by July 1 with signs of 1 Comment
>> Read More |
MassDEP Issues Penalty to Cretecrew Concrete Services for Waste Site Cleanup Violations| 12:21PM / Monday, October 19, 2020 | |
 BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced it has assessed a $31,000 penalty to Cretecrew Concrete Services, Inc., a concrete foundation company based in Westfield, for failing to complete cleanup of a hydraulic oil spill that occurred at a construction site in Chicopee. On Sept. 20, 2019, the Chicopee Fire Department notified MassDEP regarding the spill of up to 15 gallons of hydraulic oil associated with the failure of a hydraulic hose on a concrete form truck owned and operated by Cretecrew. The spill occurred at a construction site at 114 McKinstry Avenue in Chicopee. MassDEP staff inspected the site that day and 0 Comments
>> Read More |
Giving Garden Uses Grant Funds to Increase Produce DonationsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:02AM / Monday, October 19, 2020 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Giving Garden at Pittsfield Church of Christ is expanding to feed more community members thanks to a nearly $11,000 grant from the state. Garden coordinator Gordon Clark said the two small hoop houses put up through donations has really increased what it can offer. The grant will fund a large hoop house should help provide even more vegetables for local food pantries. "This grant is an incredible gift to our garden and to our community," said Clark. "When food budgets are tight, choices are often limited to inexpensive carbohydrates and processed foods. But during our growing season our neighbors who rely on food pantries can select fresh,
1 Comment
>> Read More |
Pittsfield Farmers Market Successfully Goes Digital for 2020By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:31AM / Sunday, October 18, 2020 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Farmers Market went virtual this to serve the community in a safe and effective manner during the COVID-19 pandemic. The market is a program of Roots Rising, an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower youth and build community through food and farming. When confronted with the novel coronavirus pandemic, Roots Rising co-Directors Jamie Samowitz and Jess Vecchia quickly went into emergency response mode to figure out how they could best serve the community. They came out with a plan for a Virtual Farmers Market with the same values as the in-person market: food justice and affordable, accessible, local 1 Comment
>> Read More |
State Announces Rule Prohibiting Use of HFC Pollutants| 12:35PM / Friday, October 16, 2020 | |
BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration released a proposed regulation to prohibit the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions nationally and in Massachusetts. HFCs are currently used in certain end-use products, such as aerosols, air conditioners and chillers, refrigeration units and foams. The regulations will help to significantly reduce local GHG emissions and will place the Commonwealth in line with 16 other states adopting comparable HFC regulations or legislation, coordinated by the U.S. Climate Alliance (USCA). “Building on our Administration's ongoing commitment to fight climate change, 0 Comments
>> Read More |
State Urges Residents to Report Signs of Invasive Spotted Lanternfly| 08:49AM / Monday, September 28, 2020 | |
 BOSTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced that it has identified two dead specimens of the spotted lanternfly (SLF) in communities, and is urging residents to report any sign of the invasive pest. The specimens were recovered in the towns of Milford and Norwood and were brought into Massachusetts on materials shipped from Pennsylvania counties currently under a spotted lanternfly quarantine. Additionally, MDAR was recently notified that nursery stock with spotted lanternfly egg masses and adults may have been unintentionally imported and planted in several parts of Massachusetts. MDAR is urging anyone who has 0 Comments
>> Read More |
EPA Recognizes Eight Massachusetts Organizations and Citizens| 09:30AM / Friday, September 25, 2020 | |
BOSTON, Mass. — The Environmental Protection Agency recognized eight individuals and organizations for their work to protect New England's environment. They were among 24 recipients across New England honored by EPA's New England office at the 2020 Environmental Merit Awards virtual ceremony. EPA New England's annual Environmental Merit Awards are given to community leaders, scientists, government officials, business leaders, schools, and students who represent different approaches, but a common commitment to environmental protection. "Initiatives led by individuals and groups like this years' awardees have driven progress toward clean 0 Comments
>> Read More |
State Awards $11.1 Million in Climate Change Funding To Cities And Towns| 09:17AM / Thursday, September 17, 2020 | |
 FITCHBURG, Mass. — Continuing investment in climate change resiliency, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $11.1 million in grants to cities and towns through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. This announcement brings total state investment in climate change resilience through the MVP program to over $44 million since 2017. The popular grant and designation program provides communities with funding and technical support to identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change. The grants were announced by Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito in Fitchburg as 0 Comments
>> Read More |
State Awards Grants to Support Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership| 02:06PM / Wednesday, September 16, 2020 | |
 ROWE, Mass. — The Baker-Polito Administration announced $225,000 in grant funding to eight municipalities and a regional economic development organization to support forest stewardship and conservation, trail improvements, and nature-based tourism in the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership region. The funding builds upon the Commonwealth's Shared Stewardship Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, which established a framework for partnerships between local governments and stakeholders to advance the goals of the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) to conserve forests and enhance regional economic 0 Comments
>> Read More |
Chilling Snow Storm Draws Apprehensive Avian MigrantsBy Tor Hansen, iBerkshires columnist
08:00PM / Sunday, August 30, 2020 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — If ever there was a snow storm to remember it was that of early May in our Berkshires. Forewarned by the aggressive weather watchers to inform us of the approaching tempest, one may wonder how our birds reacted to atmospheric signs that animals first perceive. Flocking birds of assorted genera appeared stunned by the daunting freeze that enveloped both the world of people and the spring migrating birds eager to resume nesting and procreation of their progeny. All night the swirling snow fell in the valleys and foothills, and I felt concern for our cheerful charmers that must outlast the shivering cold swept upon them as they would take shelter 2 Comments
>> Read More |
|
|
MEMBER SIGN IN
