Tuesday, July 19
6:00 – 7:00 PM

Join us for our July Pittsfield Green Drinks event to hear Judy Grinnell and Cary Kandel of Hoosic River Revival talk about the 70-mile Hoosic River that flows through Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Considered by some as one of the best coldwater fisheries in Massachusetts, the Hoosic River is beautiful, healthy, and a great recreational resource. However, this isn’t the case for the Hoosic in downtown North Adams.

As part of the discussion, Judy and Cary will dive into the history of the Hoosic River Valley and talk about the great things the River has brought to this area and the challenges that have come with it — including the 60-year-old concrete chutes that envelop the Hoosic River and divide the downtown of North Adams. With modern information about river restoration and proposed project plans, Judy and Cary will share the current status of the local, state, and federal government’s roles in developing a healthy, accessible, flood-controlled downtown river in North Adams.

Judy Grinnell is a former French teacher, Williams College conferences director, and Storey Publishing sales manager. Judy has also led and participated in many Berkshire County organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, the Mt. Greylock School Committee, and the Northern Berkshire United Way Board of Directors. Since 2008, she has been advocating for a modernization of the aging, unattractive, flood-controlled section of the Hoosic River in North Adams.

Cary Kandel is an avid outdoorswoman, bird watcher, and health care practitioner. Cary has a strong interest in the relationship between the health and resilience of a community and its surrounding natural environment. Now working as a physical therapist at the Berkshire Medical Center, she has a keen interest in creating engaging activities that will inspire others to support the restoration of the River.

“The Hoosic River Revival (HRR) is a volunteer organization dedicated to transforming the aging Hoosic River flood chutes using leading-edge engineering and naturalization measures to reduce flood risk and enhance climate resilience. We envision an attractive, accessible, healthy, flood-controlled river, which will enhance our downtown and the quality of life for all residents, businesses, and visitors. HRR will accomplish this through advocacy, education, and action in partnership with the City of North Adams and other stakeholders.”

Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Bring your curiosity and questions!
***Due to COVID-19, these events are virtual until further notice.

This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to join.

You can register at: https://tinyurl.com/July2022-Green-Drinks

What is Pittsfield Green Drinks? Each month a guest speaker talks for about 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM on the third Tuesday of the month. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is followed by discussion and Q&A. 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 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.