UPCOMING BEAT EVENTS
BEAT is proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health’s WIC Nutrition Program, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier. For any of our programs that are not free, BEAT offers a 50-100% discount based on financial need. Most of our programs are offered for free. Donations are always welcome! See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
Contribute to wildlife conservation through hands-on volunteer fieldwork!
BEAT has been working to survey stream crossings in Berkshire County using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol. During Spring 2024, we will offer training to anyone interested in conducting volunteer fieldwork by surveying culverts — those concrete, metal, or plastic pipes or other conduits that carry streams and rivers under roadways — and road-stream crossings throughout the County. These surveys help determine what culverts and crossings need attention and prioritize the ones that need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Find more details.
If you are interested in getting certified and want to conduct volunteer fieldwork that helps to improve wildlife’s ability to move safely and freely in their natural environments, read through this online form and fill it out. For questions, email team@thebeatnews.org.
Support BEAT’s Work with a Wildlife T-Shirt
The Yellow-Spotted Salamander has been BEAT’s mascot for many years and is a critical species for both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It’s an obligate vernal pool species, meaning they will only breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools. It’s also an indicator species, so they reflect the overall health of an environment. Indicator species are usually the first in their ecosystem to be affected by environmental change. With warming climates and human development, spotted salamanders and other obligate vernal pool species (like the wood frog!) are certainly feeling the effects.
With BEAT’s efforts to conserve and certify vernal pools and educate the public on their importance, you’ll be helping to support these essential critters when you buy a t-shirt! The designs were hand-painted by a BEAT staff member and are printed using the direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) methods, which will keep the design from peeling as it ages and goes through washes. There are lots of colors, types of shirts, and several designs to choose from — all in our online Bonfire store.
You can find more wildlife videos like the one above on BEAT’s Youtube channel!
We couldn’t do our work without you.
Together we provide wildlife & environmental conservation programs in the Berkshires and beyond. Your donation helps make our work possible.
For more information on how to get involved or how to donate, please click here.