Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all. BEAT has three major focal areas: stewardship, education & outreach, and watchdogging.
Anyone who knows us will tell you that we take the “action” part of our name seriously. Through these efforts, we enact meaningful change throughout Berkshire County and western Massachusetts.
Our Vision
BEAT envisions a world where all people recognize their interconnectedness to, and dependence on, the natural world; the air and water are clean; rivers and streams flow naturally; rain soaks into the ground and makes its way slowly to our lakes and rivers; there is plenty of interconnected, natural land where wildlife thrive; and communities work together to sustain their environmental health and economic vitality.
Our Goals
BEAT’s goals are to protect the environment, especially wetlands and wildlife corridors; educate the public about the environment and their role in protecting it; involve community members and develop their leadership skills in protecting the environment; and respond to threats to the environment. Through our No Fracked Gas in Mass program, our goals are to fight the climate crisis that threatens us all by working to dismantle fossil fuel infrastructure and increase clean, well-sited renewable energy; increase communication and collaboration among a broad range of organizations, agencies, and individuals to achieve our common goals; and create a social movement that supports environmental protection. We hope to connect community members with job opportunities and provide training opportunities for local community members that can build wealth and avoid displacement in communities. And we aim to do all this through a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Who We Are
Meet our team of staff, board, and volunteers who embody the mission of BEAT each and every day out in the field and behind the scenes. We are always protecting the voices of nature and wildlife.
Who Supports Us
BEAT is supported by people like you and by the generous grants from:
Berkshire Environmental Endowment of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Crane Family Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Massachusetts Environmental Trust
Who We Work With
BEAT works with numerous other organizations to accomplish our goals. We could not do this without them. Please check out our resources page, which has connections to almost all the other environmental and conservation organizations in, and interested in, Berkshire County.
BEAT is also 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.
Annual Newsletter
The BEAT Annual Newsletter highlights the wonderful people, wildlife and projects that we all were able to accomplish together. Read on for more information on the success of the year’s programs and events.
Financial Documents
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See our profile on Guidestar
(includes financial information)
See our profile on Great Nonprofits
(includes over 100 reviews)