Weeds gone wild: Invasive plants (and animals) in Stockbridge
Stockbridge — The Stockbridge Bowl Association and the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives are pleased to present Weeds Gone Wild: Invasive Plants (And Animals) in Stockbridge on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 4 p.m. in the Jonathan Edwards Room of the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge.
Invasive plants and animals that damage native habitats are making inroads in Stockbridge. Local scientists Frank Lowenstein and Jess Toro will talk about the invasives that are already infesting our lands and waters – like barberry, phragmites (the prolific common reed) and Eurasian watermilfoil – and other threats on the horizon. What challenges are posed by these species? How do they threaten biodiversity, as well as our enjoyment and recreational use of Stockbridge Bowl and local trails and forests? Are we winning any of our battles with invasives? Lowenstein and Toro will share their thoughts and solutions, based on years of working locally, nationally and globally on the issue of invasive species. We invite boaters, swimmers, gardeners and all who care for the environment to join us. Bring your questions!
Frank Lowenstein is Deputy Director of the New England Forestry Foundation, which has conserved over 1 million acres of land throughout New England. Frank has over 25 years of experience in conservation. In his previous roles as Director of Forest Health for North America and as Deputy Director of the Global Invasive Species Team at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), he oversaw efforts to reduce the spread and impact of invasive forest insects. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he led TNC’s regional work in the Berkshires. He later served as TNC’s Climate Adaptation Strategy Leader. Frank also served on the executive committee of the UN-affiliated Global Invasive Species Programme. He currently is a Senior Fellow in the U.S. Department of State’s Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, a board member at Project Native in Housatonic, and teaches in the Environmental Studies department at Brandeis University. He lives with his family in Sheffield.
Jess Toro is a Stockbridge native and current Stockbridge resident. After heading west for college, she returned to the Berkshires to work for The Nature Conservancy for 11 years as the Conservation Program Manager. She led TNC’s Weed It Now program, a large-scale invasive species control project on 9,000 acres. This is the largest invasive species control effort to date in the Northeast. Currently Jess Toro co-owns Native Habitat Restoration, a company focused on restoring native habitats of the Northeast. Based in Stockbridge, the business manages and restores parcels of land to natural, healthy functioning ecosystems. Native Habitat Restoration works in woodlands, wetlands, meadows, grasslands and other open spaces with private, public and nonprofit landowners and organizations. Its services include invasive plant control, wetland restoration and rare species habitat improvement. Jess also facilitates conservation planning around the world, working with organizations, partnerships, and indigenous peoples on planning for climate change, invasive species and conservation priorities.
— D.S.
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RSYP generation block party on Memorial Field
Great Barrington — Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) will hold the first annual Generation Block Party!, a celebration of young people and RSYP programs at Memorial Field (between the Berkshire Co-op Market and RSYP) on Bridge Street from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 31st. The event will honor youth who participate in the Railroad Street Apprenticeship Program, Mentoring Program, Jobs and Careers Services, Youth Operational Board, and Drop in Center.
The Skateboard Jam and live music from DJ BFG will begin at 12 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket, and spend some time playing lawn games until the pig roast and barbeque prepared by Chef Zee Vassos of The Kitchen on the Commons at 2 p.m. Immediately following the barbeque will be an Awards and Recognition Ceremony in which young people will be recognized for their contributions to RSYP and the community as a whole.
RSYP and its programs provide safe and engaging spaces for Berkshire County young people to create youth-inspired projects that promote responsibility, self-worth and intergenerational communication. At Railroad Street, youth take the lead. They explore their full potential and become equipped to meet the challenging transition to adulthood. RSYP’s professional adult staff expertly pairs youth-generated ideas with community resources, empowering youth to create and oversee a wide range of innovative, life-changing projects. RSYP serves 14-25 year old residents of Southern Berkshire County and the surrounding area with mentoring and apprenticeship programs, a sexual health education initiative, an all-youth board that funds innovative, youth-inspired projects and trips, job training and career counseling, and a drop-in center offering referrals, counseling, mediation, and advocacy services. Railroad Street Youth Project’s drop-in center is located at 60 Bridge St.
“To celebrate Railroad Street’s 15th birthday, we decided to do something special this spring,” said Executive Director Ananda Timpane. “We are inviting the entire community out on this joyful day to play, engage, and celebrate our county’s young people.”
The pig for the roast is generously donated by Will Conklin of Greenagers and Chef Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn. Chef Zee Vassos will prepare the pig roast as well as a dynamic barbeque menu that all food lovers will be sure to enjoy.
This is a free event. Tickets for the pig roast are on sale at RSYP by phone at (413) 528-2475 and online at www.rsyp.org. Tickets are $25 for those over 25, and $10 for those under 25.
— H.B.
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Southern Berkshire Chamber launches online auction
Great Barrington — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce launches its third annual online auction on June 2 to raise funds for community events such as Summerfest and the Holiday Stroll. The auction takes place online at Bidding For Good and runs through June 23..
Betsy Andrus, Executive Director of the Chamber, notes that over 200 businesses donated items with a total retail value over $30,000. “Our business community is extremely generous and engaged,” said Andrus. “The items reflect the best of our retail, restaurant and hospitality businesses as well as our service and corporate sectors.”
Descriptions and pictures of auction items are available online at www.BiddingforGood.com/SouthernBerkshires. Unusual items include an 8-foot Sunsetter Vista awning, Red Sox and New York Giants tickets, and original artwork by well-known local artists. Other articles include day camp experiences, gift certificates to many Southern Berkshire restaurants, passes to premier cultural sites and summer music events, unique gifts including antiques and items for home and car, and makeovers for your pet, lawn and body.
— D.S.
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Artsbridge founder addresses Israeli, Palestinian youth projects
Great Barrington – On Monday, June 1, at Congregation Ahavath Sholom on North Street, founder and executive director, Deborah Nathan, will speak about Artsbridge, the organization that brings together Israeli, Palestinian and American teens. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served following the talk.
Artsbridge, Inc. is a Boston based nonprofit organization that uses the visual arts, film, and dialogue to empower American, Israeli, and Palestinian youth. It has partner sites in the United States, Israel, and the West Bank. Founder Debbie Nathan explains that the aim of Artsbridge is to foster understanding, curiosity, and creativity. With these skills, students are prepared to become leaders in the quest for a brighter future in and outside of their own communities.
In the aftermath of the Second Intifada, Ms. Nathan, recognized a need for programming to empower youth of the region with the tools to experience and initiate constructive dialogue surrounding the conflict. She endeavored to help young people envision a different future, develop a sense of hope for change, and cultivate a passion for creating that change. As a result, Artsbridge was created in July 2007.Currently, each year more than 500 youth in Israel, Palestine, and the United States are directly impacted by Artsbridge programming. Students are engaged in a transformative process that encourages imagination, voice, and the overcoming of singular narratives.
For information, call Spiritual Leader Barbara Cohen: 413-528-4197 or go on line to: www.ahavathsholom.com
— D.S.
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Steiner students, local seniors walkathon
Great Barrington–Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School (GBRSS), in partnership with the Egremont Council on the Aging, announces the first annual “Go the Distance” walkathon for local elders and students starting at the school and following a one-mile course along West Plain Road. Start time is 3:30 p.m., Monday June 1, in front of the school at 35 West Plain Road.
Part of a consortium of 89 towns throughout Massachusetts, walkers from Alford, Great Barrington, Sheffield and Mt. Washington will join walkers from Egremont in this inaugural event that celebrates fun, community and freedom for local elders. Similar events will take place simultaneously in communities throughout Massachusetts. All are invited to attend, and event participation is free. To register for the walkathon, participants should simply sign in prior to walking the day of the event.
Students from the school that promotes active learning will join local elders’ “Keep Moving” walking groups, which have been walking this spring in preparation for the “Go the Distance” Walking Challenge. This intergenerational event includes students, faculty, parents and grandparents. Students of all ages are invited to walk with their own grandparents or “adopt a grandparent” from among local elders for the walk.
For more information about the walkathon, contact Bonnie Oloff at bonnie.oloff@gmail.com or (413) 528-5637.
— H.B.
