Hilltown Families 
Events to Mark Earth Day in Western Mass
40th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 22nd, 2010 marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. This month we have many opportunities to work towards building a healthy community as local organizations, community members, museums, and schools all over Western Massachusetts are offering up ways to participate and join together to create a clean environment and sustainable economy. Movies are being screened and songs are being sung; classes on gardening and sustainability are being offered; opportunities to recycle and clean-up; nature studies, art, local food … the celebrations and opportunities are abundant this month.
With the excellent help of Susan Olshuff, we’ve put together a list of events in April that address the concerns and needs of our communities here in Western Ma, with locations ranging from Pittsfield out to Amherst, from Greenfield down to Springfield. Below are many opportunities to get involved, explore your local environment and entertain/educate your family. And more events are coming in, so check back often as this list is updated. If you have an Earth Day event to share, please post in the comment box at the end of this list:
April Ongoing
Plant Sale – The Berkshire Conservation District is proud to offer a wide variety of tree seedlings, ground covers, flowering shrubs, and perennials for spring planting. Most trees and shrubs are sold dormant, bare root and hardy.
Info at: www.berkshireconservation.org
Thursday, April 8th in Plainfield, MA
7pm – Dirt! The Movie at Plainfield Town Hall. Put on by the Plainfield Agricultural Commission. See trailer here.
Saturday, April 10th in Chesterfield, MA
9am-12Noon – Organic Gardening Workshop at Crabapple Farm (100 Bryant Street). The owner and operator of Crabapple Farm, Tevis Robertson-Goldberg, will be teaching the workshop. He grows a diverse array of crops for people who buy shares of vegetables at his farm and who patronize his stand at local farmers markets. “I’ll be demonstrating practical ways of integrating organic, biodynamic, permaculture, and traditional farming practices into whatever scale garden you plan to have,” said Robertson-Goldberg. Registration required. (413) 658-5374. More info here.
Saturday, April 10th in South Williamstown, MA
9am-12Noon – The Little Red Schoolhouse on Route 7 is holding an Earth Day recycling event. The public is invited to bring cans and bottles that can be redeemed for deposit to the school. The cans and bottles will be brought to the Northern Berkshire Container Redemption Center to benefit the preschool. The public also is invited to bring gently used children’s clothing and toys as well as household items (no appliances please) for Little Red’s upcoming tag sale on May 1st. Williamstown’s COOL Committee, a group of volunteers from Williamstown working to implement the town’s Climate Action Plan, will have an informational table and activity for children. Info at 413-458-8668. www.lrsh.org
Saturday, April 10th in Pittsfield, MA
7:30am – The Hoffmann Bird Club is sponsoring “Birding Beyond Your Backyard,” a two-hour bird walk at Canoe Meadows. More information here.
Sunday, April 11th in Williamsburg, MA
3-5pm – Transition Williamsburg: Come learn more about The Transition Movement at a Community Mapping Project happening at the Williamsburg Grange. There will be a screening of the film In Transition: From Oil Dependence to Local Resilience, along with a clothing swap and community potluck. Child care available. Come check out what all the buzz is about! Click here for more info. Williamsburg, MA (FREE)
Monday, April 12th in Williamstown, MA
7:30pm – Garbage Docs: No Impact Man at Images Cinema. Author Colin Beavan leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption…no problem. That is, until his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two year-old daughter are dragged into the fray. The Onion A.V. Club writes, “The value of No Impact Man, a compelling and suitably exasperating documentary about one family’s attempt to not harm the environment for a year, is that it forces viewers to reflect on their own casual consumption and waste.” (413) 458-1039 www.imagescinema.org
Friday, April 16th in Greenfield, MA
7pm – Earth Day Family Concert with Sarah Pirtle and Jim Scott at the All Souls UU Church. This concert will appeal to all ages and will be the first time these award-winning musicians, who have been sharing their ecology messages through music since the ’70s, have performed together. The evening will begin with a light supper in the All Souls Parish Hall at 5:30 PM, with the concert following at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. (413) 773-5018 www.uugrenfield.org
Saturday, April 17th & Sunday, April 18th in Greenfield, MA
10am-7pm; 10am-4pm – Home Show & Green Fair at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Workshops, kids’ activities and fresh local food. Discover crafts & recycled products, locavore living, green thinking, home resources, and much more. (413) 774-2791 www.franklincountyhomeshow.com
Saturday, April 17th in Holyoke, MA
10am-3pm – Dispose responsibly of your old electronics & appliances while supporting WGBY. No registration, open to all. Click here to see what is acceptable and for fees. Document shredding available too. Location: Parking lot near the Holyoke Mall. www.wgby.org. More info here.
Saturday, April 17th in Hampden, MA
10-11:30am – Vernal Pools at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary: Vernal pools are unique and critical habitats that are breeding grounds for many state-listed amphibian species. April is the best, and often the only time to see animals such as spotted salamanders and wood frogs. Join Naturalist Kevin Kopchynski to explore a vernal pool, looking for egg masses, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Learn why it’s so crucial to protect these small bodies of water and what you can do to help ensure their protection. Family event, suitable for children ages 4 – 16 yrs. Registration requested. 413-584-3009.
Saturday, April 17th in Sheffield, MA
10am-12Noon – Discover Life in a Vernal Pool at Bartholomew’s Cobble. Trustees of Reservations naturalist, Rene Wendell, will explore a shallow spring pond, enjoying a hands-on search for the egg masses of wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and many other forms of life. Expect to get wet and muddy! Members: Adult/Child $4; Family $10. Nonmembers: Adult/Child $6; Family $15. Please pre-register. (413) 229-8600
Sunday, April 18th in Northampton, MA
10am-12Noon – Gardening 101: Want to have your own garden but don’t know where to start? In this workshop we will cover everything you need to know to get going. We will cover soil testing, site preparation, planting schedules, weed and pest management and more. With Molly Merrett. Registration required. 413-825-6795 x306. More info here.
Week of April 19th-29th in Lenox, MA
9am-4pm except on April 22, open till 9pm – Earth Day Art Show at Lenox Town Hall. High School student sculptures and art work using recycled materials from our daily lives and Elementary school students’ works on the theme of environmental stewardship and responsibility featured in the auditorium and town foyer. Come view their work and take the lenox unplugged pledge, showing your commitment to your community and its energy challenges. Sponsored by lenox unplugged and the Lenox Public Schools.
Monday, April 19th in Williamstown, MA
7:30pm – Garbage Docs: Garbage Warrior at Images Cinema. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of “Earthship Biotecture” by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities. When communities are devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century. (413) 458-1039 www.imagescinema.org
Tuesday, April 20th in Pittsfield, MA
1pm – Falconry and the Medieval World: Live Bird of Prey Demonstration at 1pm the Berkshire Museum. Falconry was a court sport in England and France; the most desirable birds were legal property of the nobility. Experts from Wingmasters bring a golden eagle, two falcons, a red-tailed hawk, and other raptors to explore the 4000-year history of falconry, explain how the sport reflected the lifestyle of Medieval society, examine the characteristics of the birds of prey used, and elucidate the historical reasons behind falconry’s rise and fall. Free with Museum admission. (Please note: space is limited. Free tickets will be available at the front desk beginning at 10 a.m.) Call (413) 443-7171 ext.17 for more information. www.berkshiremuseum.org
Tuesday, April 20th in Williamstown, MA
7pm – School Lunches: Changing What and How Children Eat with Josh Viertel, Director of Slow Food USA at Williams College at the Brooks Rogers Recital Hall. Joshua Viertel, President of Slow Food USA, has made significant contributions to the sustainable food movement in the past as a teacher, farmer, and activist, and, for the past six years, as a co-founder and co-director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. At Yale, Viertel oversaw the University’s transition to a local sustainable food program, created and managed an organic farm on campus, and built educational and academic programming around food and agriculture. Under his leadership, the Yale Sustainable Food Project has earned a reputation as a leader in the national and international sustainable food movement. (413) 597-4522
Thursday, April 22nd in Springfield, MA
11am-4pm – Earth Day Festival at the Springfield Science Museum. Face painting, paper making, renewable energy demos, free tree seedlings, casting lessons, and many environmental exhibits. There will be music from 11-3pm; birds of prey demo at 11:30am. (413) 263-6800, ext. 404. www.springfieldmuseums.org
Thursday, April 22nd in Sheffield, MA
9am-12Noon – Earth Day Eco-Volunteers at Bartholomew’s Cobble. Pitch in to protect biodiversity at the Berkshires one and only National Natural Landmark. Discover why Bartholomew’s Cobble is such an amazing place for spring wildflowers. Trustees of Reservations staff will teach you how to identify and pull out garlic mustard so that you can protect the native plant populations. Bring gloves, long sleeves and long pants. FREE. Please call in advance for information. (413) 229-8600
Thursday, April 22nd in Pittsfield, MA
2pm – Green at Hancock Shaker Village, the City of Peace. Celebrate Earth Day in the Shakers’ Heaven on Earth. Held in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 at 2:00pm, this family-friendly event will feature a tour of Hancock Shaker Village’s historic-to-modern green and environmentally-friendly features. Included will be information on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, architectural design and construction, smart growth town planning, and more. There will be a demonstration of the 1858 water power turbine in Laundry and Machine Shop and up-close investigation of the historic passive solar features of Shaker buildings, compared with Hancock Shaker Village’s new solar photovoltaic array, which generates 89.9 kilowatts, supplies 66% of the Village’s electrical energy needs today, and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.7 million pounds over the life span of the system. Free with general admission. (800) 817.1137 www.hancockshakervillage.org
Friday, April 23rd in Lenox, MA
All Day – “think green, it’s Friday!” in downtown Lenox at lenox unplugged, a Western Mass Take Charge campaign, launches its first “think green it’s Friday!” Local businesses and organizations who have taken the unplugged pledge will offer customers “green and unplugged” incentives that reward customers for thinking green, offers like discounts for using reusable bags, green-minded menus at restaurants, and dollar coffees with a reusable mug. Lenox residents can take their pledge at www.townoflenox.com/lenoxunplugged and Berkshire County residents can go to www.cetonline.org/takecharge.php. Lenox unplugged will be sponsoring events throughout the town during the week of Earth Day. Check the website www.lenoxunplugged.wordpress.com for the schedule and to see a list of all the deals and incentives on “think green, it’s Friday!”
UPDATED: Saturday, April 24th in Amherst, MA
3pm-5pm – Daffodil Lectures on Sustainability and the Environment at UMass in the Integrated Science Building. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is organizing lectures on sustainability and the environment, which include experts in climate change, communicating with the public about science, and environmental ethics and social movements. (413) 577-0149 www.honors.umass.edu/tenth More info here.
Saturday, April 24th in Northampton, MA
1-4pm – Mushroom Log Inoculation: Come learn how to grow your own shitake mushrooms. Take home a log of your own. With Jonathan Bates 413-825-6795 x306. More info here.
Saturday, April 24th in Great Barrington, MA
9am-2pm – Annual Earth Day Clean-up of the Housatonic River Walk. Lunch provided and tours provided after 2pm. Must be 10yo+. (413) 528-3391 www.gbriverwalk.org
Saturday, April 24th in Williamstown, MA
12Noon – 4pm – Earth Day Celebration at Wild Oats Market. Free, food demos, informational booths from local area organizations and businesses involved in environmental issues, workshops on composting, photovoltaics, and spring planting (for kids & adults), kids’ activities, music from staffer Mike Wood and his “Rebel Alliance” band, and music from world music DJ Mike Card, and more. Spring bedding plants, composting bins and other garden supplies will be available for sale. And, chef Greg Roach will be grilling local foods on the grill, weather permitting. (413) 458-8060
Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th in Pittsfield, MA
10am-4pm & 10am-1pm – Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will hold its 15th annual Textile Drive to collect old clothing and household textiles for reuse and recycling. The event will be held in partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Materials will be accepted at CET in Pittsfield on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, residents may drop clothing in the storage bin at the back of the parking lot at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Road in Great Barrington, from April 10 until April 25. In North County, clothing can be dropped off at the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation at Sheep Hill between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays from April 12 to April 16 and from April 20 to April 23. For more information contact CET, (413) 445-4556 or (888) 577-8448 ext. 10 or 30, or visit www.cetonline.org.
Sunday, April 25th in Great Barrington, MA
11am – Free Screening of No Impact Man at the Triplex. Saving the world, one family at a time. Follow the Manhattan-based Beavan family as they abandon their high consumption 5th Avenue lifestyle and try to live a year while making no net environmental impact. Speakers and food after the film.
Sunday, April 25th in Sheffield, MA
10am-12Noon – Secrets of Spring Wildflowers: Guided Walk at Bartholomew’s Cobble. Visit now, at the peak of the spring wildflower season, to find out why this National Natural Landmark such an amazing place to view and identify spring wildflowers. On your walk you will be guided by Trustees of Reservations naturalist Rene Wendell. Members $5. Nonmembers $7. Please pre-register. (413) 229-8600
Saturday, May 1st in Springfield, MA
8:30am-12Noon – The Springfield Science Museum is holding its 20th annual Earth Day Clean-up. The museum is partnering with Keep Springfield Beautiful to remove trash from public areas in Springfield. The Science Museum’s team will be focusing on a conservation area. Volunteers should meet at Duggan Middle School, 1015 Wilbraham Road in Springfield. Gloves, trash bags, buckets and directions to cleanup sites will be provided. A complimentary lunch will be served. To volunteer for the Science Museum’s clean-up team, please call Dan Augustino at the Science Museum, 413-263-6800, ext. 404.www.springfieldmuseums.org
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Thanks very much for making a difference, Nancy M. Rogers
Saturday April 24th in Williamstown, MA
The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation and North Berkshire Audubon are hosting a bird walk on Saturday April 24 at 8AM at Sheep Hill, a conservation property and the headquarters of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation. Sheep Hill offers a mix of habitats and great viewing opportunities for returning birds such as warblers, swallows, and sparrows, as well as year-round residents such as bluebirds and finches. Participants will learn about bird identification through habitat, behavior and song. This leisurely walk is suitable for all levels of enthusiasts, and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the WRLF at 458-2494.
The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation’s Sheep Hill property is located one mile south of the Williamstown Rotary on Route 7.
There is an Earth Day concert at the Academy of Music on Sunday April 25 after the Eco Fair also with Dar Williams!
http://www.academyofmusictheatre.com/tickets.html#event0031
Tix are really affordable, starting at like $25 and go to a good cause! Go to the free event during the day then stay and go to the concert after, and pick up a great dinner in Noho! That’s what I’m planning to do.
Sunday, April 18th in Amherst, MA
Join Green Amherst Project in celebrating Earth Day on Sunday, April 18th! We are hosting a concert with the independent band BAREFOOT TRUTH.
The concert will take place on the side lawn of the Keefe Campus Center.
Admission is free and open to all!. Event starts at 2:00pm. Co-sponsored by Amherst Association of Students, Social Council, and Program Board.
Heres a little more info on Barefoot Truth:
In the small New England town of Mystic, Connecticut, lives Barefoot Truth, an independent band that is quietly creating history. You have never seen them on MTV, nor heard them on a Top 40 FM radio station, but with 5.5 million spins on Pandora, Barefoot Truth has quickly become a symbol of independent music success, and just may be ‘the biggest band you’ve never heard of’. Mixing the sounds of folk, rock, jazz, and reggae, with lyrics full of unbridled optimism, the band has crafted a sound that is distinctly Barefoot Truth.
Since the band’s establishment during college, Barefoot Truth has been developing this signature sound that has virally spread through a grassroots following. With their lead singer on drums, and an array of unlikely roots-based instrumentation, the band translates their originality to their ever-evolving live show. The quintet features Will Evans on lead vocals and drums, John Waynelovich on piano, Jay Driscoll on Weissenborn slide guitar, Andy Wrba on upright bass, and Garrett Duffy on harmonica. It is not unlikely for members of the band to switch instruments mid-show, or even begin playing a didjeridoo, adding to the dynamic of the band’s sound.
Mixing a strong environmental message with the lofty theme of humankind’s interconnectedness on their 2010 studio album ‘Threads’, Barefoot Truth reached #21 on the iTunes Rock Charts, momentarily stepping ahead of bands such as Dave Matthews Band and The Fray. The new disc was noted as “The best independently released album of 2010” by ThisIsModern. Barefoot Truth happily credits Pandora Radio for their crucial role in growing the band’s silent army of listeners, as Driscoll recently stated in a USA Today article, “Pandora has basically created an avenue for us to have a career in music”.
Since taking the band ‘full-time’ in 2007, after finishing college, Barefoot Truth has earned spotlight attention on many levels, including an invitation to play at President Obama’s pre-debate rally in New York, where they performed between Bruce Hornsby and Crosby and Nash. They were asked to lend several songs from their new album ‘Threads’ to the upcoming ‘Nature Propelled’ film, in addition to scoring original music for the film. The band has also made appearances at major festivals such as Summerfest, 10,000 Lakes Festival, and FloydFest, in addition to tallying over 100 college and prepschool performances in the Northeast. Fans of Barefoot Truth can be confident that the quiet success of this small band will grow increasingly louder, one listener at a time…
Saturday, April 24th in Lenox, MA
WORK FOR WILDLIFE ON APRIL 24 AT MASS AUDUBON’S
BERKSHIRE, PLEASANT VALLEY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Come Join the Fun on Mass Audubon’s Fourth Annual Statewide Volunteer Day
What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day than by rolling up your sleeves and helping Mass Audubon sanctuaries get ready for spring visitors on Saturday, April 24, from 9am until noon? Mass Audubon’s fourth annual Statewide Volunteer Day will offer projects suitable for all ages and abilities. With your help, we’ll spruce up trails and gardens and dive into other spring cleaning projects across the state and at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Pittsfield, MA. And, if you bring a family member who needs to fulfill a community service requirement, Mass Audubon is happy to provide a verification letter after the event.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is looking for volunteers to assist with trail clearing, cutting and possibly burning invasives that grow in our wet meadows and fields, and preparing the Hummingbird Garden for spring and summer.
After a morning of hands-on work, participants are invited for a free pizza lunch, and to explore the sanctuary. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished in just three hours. At last year’s Statewide Volunteer Day we prepared the hummingbird and butterfly gardens for spring and summer; removed invasive plants; split firewood and cleared trails.
So bring your friends and family and get your hands dirty for a great cause! To sign up, visit http://www.massaudubon.org/workforwildlife. For more information, call 781-259-2161 or the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary at 413-637-0320.
Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 34,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon’s mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women’s fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries, in 90 Massachusetts communities, welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit http://www.massaudubon.org.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-0320
The Springfield Museums will celebrate Earth Day with the annual Earth Day Festival on April 18 followed by “Honor the Earth,” a week of Earth-friendly school vacation week activities from April 19-23. Activities are free with museum admission unless noted.
Sunday, April 18 – Earth Day Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Earth Day Festival is sponsored in part by Friendly Ice Cream Corporation and GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
April 19-23 – Earth Week: Honor the Earth
Performances, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 19 – Go Green and Make a Scene, mime and comedy by Robert Rivest.
Tuesday, April 20 – Lean, Green Clean-up Machine, an interactive concert by Jay Mankita.
Wednesday, April 21 – Wild and Furry Puppet Adventure, a fun lesson in conservation by Lesley Smith’s Theatre of Life Puppets.
Thursday, April 22 – Recycle Rangers Magic Show, tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle from Team Magic.
Friday, April 23 – Wild About Weather, tornado generators, hot air balloons, soap bubbles and other experiments presented by Keith Michael Johnson.
Daily Activities
The Springfield Museums are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards Street in downtown Springfield. Free parking is available in the Edwards Street parking lots. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Science Museum open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Admission is $12.50 for adults, $9 for seniors and college students, $6.50 for children 3-17, and free for children under three and museum members. Springfield residents are free with proof of address. The fee provides admission to all four Springfield Museums and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
For information, call 413-263-6800 or visit http://www.springfieldmuseums.org.
This year on Sunday, April 18th, The Williston Northampton School (Easthampton) will be hosting its 4th Annual FreeMarket! Reduce, reuse, recycle….
Anyone can bring their unwanted reusable items to our Athletic Center for donation and then shop amongst all the free stuff there. You can also choose to drop off and not shop or shop without dropping off. A great opportunity to clean out attics, closets, cupboards, under beds, storage or where ever! Items, in past years, have included luggage, books, toys, game systems, small appliances, dishes, lamps, sports equipment, bicycles, and more. We also get tons of great clothes. As long as it can be carried away you can bring it or find it.
Drop off 8am-11am or Shop 9am-1pm – or do both. Open to the public. Questions? Nola-rae Cronan at 413-529-3286 or ncronan@williston.com