Consider joining BEAT to help restore the riverbank behind our Environmental Leadership & Education Center by removing invasive plant species and planting native ones!

With the help of many volunteers and several hours of work, we have been able to remove nearly all the invasive plants from the riverbank behind BEAT’s Environmental Leadership & Education Center. We are calling on volunteers once again to help us with the final push to remove the rest of the invasive plants and help us begin planting the native ones. We will start at 10:00 AM and finish around Noon on Saturday, June 15. Afterward, we’ll have lunch provided by BEAT!

Click here to RSVP so we know how much food to purchase for lunch. And please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions that we should keep in mind. If you don’t RSVP, we cannot guarantee you a free lunch.

BEAT’s Center sits on the edge of the west branch of the Housatonic River. The riverbank right behind our building is overrun with invasive plant species. This isn’t uncommon, as you likely know – many natural areas are becoming increasingly infested with these non-native, overly-competitive species that hinder our native species and ultimately cause ecological harm. That’s why BEAT is restoring the riverbank behind our building, and we would love your help!

We will install straw waddles downslope of our work area before carefully removing all non-native, invasive species. Once plants are removed, straw mats will be placed over loosened soils, and we’ll plant native species through the straw mats. Anyone and everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience. However, you must be able to stand on a slight slope while working or help drag away pulled plants.

DATE: Saturday, June 15

TIME: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (lunch will be around 12:10 PM)

LOCATION: BEAT’s Environmental Leadership & Education Center, 20 Chapel St, Pittsfield, MA

Click here to RSVP

Email team@thebeatnews.org with any questions.