Saturday, May 3 – Housatonic Riverbank Cleanup
9 am to 1 pm
105 Wahconah St, Pittsfield

The idea of this spring cleanup is to get some of the trash from over the winter off the banks before the vegetation comes out and  BEFORE it gets into the river. We will all meet at the parking lot at Wahconah Park Pittsfield for snacks at the start and come back here for lunch at the end.  We will fan out from here to tackle the places on the river most in need of a cleanup.  Pouring rain or thunder cancels.

A picnic lunch, snacks, work gloves, and trash bags are provided. 

What YOU should bring:  A refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent –  wear old clothes and sturdy footwear, you will get wet and dirty! Old sneakers, rubber boots – although the plan is NOT to go in the water. Long pants and long sleeves will avoid insect bites and scratches from walking through brush.

Please contact the organizers if you plan on attending.

This cleanup is organized by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).  Cosponsored by the City of Pittsfield and American Rivers.

For more information or to register, please contact Jane at BEAT jane@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321 or Alison at HVA adixon@hvatoday.org  or 413-394-9796.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has been inspiring citizens to become stewards for the planet and its inhabitants.  Today is the day that we become activists who protect natural resources, wildlife, and wild spaces.  Today is the day to look at our lives and work together to create a healthier, cleaner, and greener future.   Today is the day that we can recognize the impact of our actions and find a way to change our habits for the better.  Today is a very special day.  

For ideas on how to green your life, please check out last year’s Earth Day post here or talk to a member of the BCC Green Team! 

Upcoming events:

• BCC Green Up Day, April 25th: a voluntary day of service to beautify the campus.  All are welcome.  FORUM CREDIT IS AVAILABLE.  Please contact Charlie Kaminski if interested.
• MCLA’s Green Living Seminar series, April 24th @ 5:30 pm, Murdock Hall: Farmer’s Roundtable Discussion (this is the last presentation of MCLA’s 11-part series on sustainable food systems)
• 350 MA Berkshire Node meeting, April 23rd at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, 6-8 pm. For more information, contact Mary Parkman.
• Housatonic Riverbank Cleanup, May 3rd, 9 am to 1 pm, Wahconah Park.  For more information or to register, please contact Jane at BEAT jane@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321 or Alison at HVA adixon@hvatoday.org  or 413-394-9796.
  

With Earth Day just around the corner, it’s a good time to start thinking about our habits and what we can do to reduce our impact on our planet and its resources.   Take a minute to try out these carbon and water footprint calculators.

Here are three great footprint calculators:

1. The EPA (or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has created a comprehensive greenhouse gas emission calculator that can help you to estimate your household emissions, explore options to reduce your footprint, and see how much money you could save by taking action.

2. The next calculator comes to us from our friends at the Earth Day Network.  This ecological footprint quiz is a fun, fast, and interactive calculator where you can create your own avatar and visualize your impact.  At the end of the quiz, you will learn how many planets would be needed to maintain your current lifestyle.

3. For those of you who are interested in learning more about your water usage and how much water is going down the drain (pun intended), try out the GRACE Communications Foundation Water Footprint Calculator.

And remember, Earth Day is April 22, 2014!  What are your sustainability goals or plans for the next year?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

Even though BCC is only 4 miles from downtown, transportation to and from campus is a major issue for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  For those without access to personal vehicles, the limited public transportation system is one of the only ways to get to campus.  For others, the only option is to drive, often with only one person in the car/truck.  This presents a huge problem.  If you’ve ever tried to find a parking space in the middle of the day, you can understand the need for alternatives to the transportation problem.

This transportation issue is not restricted to Berkshire County.  Many communities across the state are trying to come up with creative solutions to reduce the number of cars on the road.  One such initiative is the the MassRIDES program, a state-funded travel program designed to help commuters find the right commuting option.  From biking to public transportation to connecting individuals for carpooling, this site can help Massachusetts residents make smarter, cheaper, and greener choices.

The MassRIDES site has a lot of helpful information and it definitely worth a browse (or two).  Some of the highlights include a Commute Calculator which will tell you how much you are spending on commuting each year, the free NuRide rewards program for taking greener trips, and links to MapMyRide and other amazing sites.

To address a common carpooling concern, the site has established an Emergency Ride Home program which will pay for a taxi ride home in case of an emergency.  Whether a family member has taken ill or the carpool driver o’ the day has an emergency, never fear!  You will be reimbursed for your taxi ride up to 4 times per year.  It’s definitely worth checking out!

Many thank to Beth Wallace for reaching out to the Green Team and sharing this important (and GREEN!) program with us.  For additional information, check out the MassRIDES website or contact Beth at ext. 1662 or bwallace@berkshirecc.edu