OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Below are details on all the ways you can volunteer with BEAT. Send us an email if you’re interested in learning more about them, and scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to receive emails about upcoming volunteer opportunities!
Please Note: Our volunteer policy for minors is that everyone under 18 must have their guardian sign a waiver, and an adult must accompany anyone under 16.
Invasive Hardy Kiwi Eradication
Get your exercise and help eradicate this destructive invasive at the same time! Gloves and tools will be provided, but we encourage you to bring extra tools if you have them (loppers, pruning shears, and pruning saws).
Hardy Kiwi is an exotic invasive ornamental that threatens forests in western Massachusetts through complete domination of mature trees. Once it germinates, it will climb surrounding vegetation and eventually kill support. It has become a major problem in places such as Kennedy Park and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and has now spread to Burbank Park.
When: Every Friday, year-round, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (We head into the woods at 10 AM.)
Location: Meet at Burbank Park on Onota Lake, off Valentine Road, in Pittsfield
Contact: Please email team@thebeatnews.org or call (413) 464-9402 if you are planning to attend or want more information.
Water Quality Monitoring
How clean is the water flowing into our rivers?
That’s what we are trying to find out—and keep track of! Join us in surveying and sampling outfall pipes flowing directly into the Housatonic River around central and north Berkshire County.
(These volunteer opportunities are only available from April through October.)
Contact: team@thebeatnews.org
River Cleanups
Each year, BEAT hosts and co-hosts a number of river cleanups in the Housatonic River. Remember how much fun it was when you were a kid, jumping into streams and rivers and playing in the mud? River cleanups are an opportunity to do that again! There are plenty of ways to help without getting your feet wet, too. Check our event calendar for River Cleanup dates.
For more information and to get our River Cleanup emails, contact team@thebeatnews.org.
Amphibian Crossings
Want to help salamanders and frogs safely move across roadways to their breeding habitats? Join us for one of our amphibian crossings during spring migration!
On the first warm, rainy nights of spring, thousands of amphibians — wood frogs, spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, spring peepers — leave their overwintering upland forest habitat and make their way to vernal pools in the evening to breed. This annual ritual is known as the “Big Night”; however, it takes place on several nights during late March and early April when the temperatures are above 40℉. One of the largest threats migrating amphibians face during Big Nights is getting run over by cars. That’s why we need help during these Big Nights in early spring!
For more information and to get our Amphibian Crossing emails, contact team@thebeatnews.org.
Research
Do you want to do a little investigating? BEAT always needs help with inspections in the field, as well as office work research.
Contact: team@thebeatnews.org
Wildlife Tracking
Would you like to learn more about wildlife tracking?
BEAT hosts the Berkshire Wildlife Trackers. We are usually out on the land twice a month, November to April – usually 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of the month. Train to become a wildlife tracker and then use your new skills to help protect wildlife habitat! Check our calendar for specific dates.
Contact: Jane Winn at jane@thebeatnews.org
Stream Crossing Surveys
Help BEAT improve wildlife movement and habitat connectivity by volunteering to help with our stream crossing surveys!
A stream crossing is any place where a stream intersects a road. BEAT is participating in a study to map, describe, and catalog every stream crossing in Berkshire County. This information will be used to improve these crossings and facilitate the movement of wildlife.
Contact: team@thebeatnews.org
Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are fragile habitats that support an amazing diversity of wildlife. If you would like to learn how you can find and protect these habitats, contact us at team@thebeatnews.org.
Outreach Support
Join us at events to help talk to the public about the environment, environmental issues, our work, and more! Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org.
Website/Database
BEAT maintains a very large website. We could use your help — especially if you know a little HTML or MySQL and PHP. Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org.
General Help
There’s always work to be done — especially now that we moved into our new home! Let us know if you’d like to help but don’t see a category that fits. Contact us at team@thebeatnews.org.
Surprise us!
Do you have a special skill that might be helpful to us, or do you have an idea for a volunteer project?
Reach out to us at team@thebeatnews.org.