PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elena Traister will speak at the April Pittsfield Green Drinks event on Tuesday, April 19th at 6:00 PM.

 

Traister will talk about the Clean Water Act (CWA), give a summary of the primary pollutants affecting the Housatonic and Hoosic watersheds, and briefly touch on policy aimed at continuing to improve water quality.

 

Traister has taught environmental studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) for 16 years, where she also currently serves as coordinator of campus sustainability. Her research mostly focuses on rivers, especially water quality and sources of pollution to streams in the Hoosic River watershed.

 

As part of this discussion, Traister will give a brief historical perspective on the CWA, then discuss some of the state's water quality monitoring findings for the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. She'll touch on some of the primary pollutants that continue to be problematic — such as pathogens, nutrients, PCBs — and emerging concerns, like salinization.

 

This October will mark 50 years since the enactment of the Clean Water Act. 

 

Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green but the conversations are. Bring your curiosity and questions!

 

Due to COVID-19, these events are virtual until further notice. This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to join. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/April2022-Green-Drinks-Event

 

Pittsfield Green Drinks is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team