Invasive insects can have devastating impacts on our ecosystem, economy, and quality of life. But how are they able to be so disruptive, and what can we do about it?

Join BEAT and Elizabeth Barnes, the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, for the April Berkshire Green Drinks event, where Elizabeth will answer these questions by focusing on the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that eats grapes, roses, black walnut, and over 100 other plants, and is now found in Massachusetts. Learn about the problems it’s causing, what we’re doing to deal with it, what YOU can do, and, importantly, some rays of hope for mitigating its impact.

DATE: Wednesday, April 10

TIME: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM → The in-person social gathering begins around 5:15 PM.

LOCATION: Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School St, Pittsfield, MA  & Online via Zoom

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Click here to register for online participation.

RSVP if you plan to join us for the in-person gathering (doing so helps the restaurant staff).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Elizabeth Barnes is the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and previously worked as the Exotic Forest Pest Educator at Purdue University. She studied biology as an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College and received her Doctorate in plant-insect interactions from the University of Denver, where she studied tent caterpillars and fall webworms. In her spare time, Elizabeth is an avid caterpillar watcher and is always happy to answer questions about all things insect-related.

What is Berkshire Green Drinks? Berkshire Green Drinks (formerly Pittsfield Green Drinks) is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally-related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join and bring along questions!

What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field and environmental enthusiasts meet for a drink and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from non-profit organizations, academia, government, business, and the general public. Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured. Come along, and you’ll be made welcome.