Natural History
A Day of Tracking & Perception
Chatham NYDaniel Hansche of Spur Wander offers a one-day taste of the world of tracking when it is experienced while honing our perceptions remains at the forefront of our approach to solving the mysteries that the wildlife inevitably leave behind. Tracking…
Beavers and Birds at Pleasant Valley
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesThe evening is a great time to search for wildlife at Pleasant Valley. In this naturalist-guided hike, learn about the sanctuary's resident beavers and how other animals benefit from the ponds that they create. We will also learn how to…
Canoeing the Housatonic River
Housatonic River-Decker Boat Launch 298 New Lenox Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesThis leisurely paddle will take you through the ecologically rich Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area in Lenox. Watch for swallows, herons, kingfishers, muskrats, and signs of beavers along the scenic and meandering Housatonic River and learn about why the waterway…
Evening at the Beaver Ponds
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesEnjoy a family hike searching for the sanctuary's iconic beavers and other wildlife that live in and near our natural ponds. Learn about the lives of beavers, their amazing recovery story, and how they continue to shape the landscape more…
Beavers and Birds at Pleasant Valley
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesThe evening is a great time to search for wildlife at Pleasant Valley. In this naturalist-guided hike, learn about the sanctuary's resident beavers and how other animals benefit from the ponds that they create. We will also learn how to…
Canoeing the Housatonic River
Housatonic River-Decker Boat Launch 298 New Lenox Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesThis leisurely paddle will take you through the ecologically rich Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area in Lenox. Watch for swallows, herons, kingfishers, muskrats, and signs of beavers along the scenic and meandering Housatonic River and learn about why the waterway…
Evening at the Beaver Ponds
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesEnjoy a family hike searching for the sanctuary's iconic beavers and other wildlife that live in and near our natural ponds. Learn about the lives of beavers, their amazing recovery story, and how they continue to shape the landscape more…
Beavers and Birds at Pleasant Valley
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA, United StatesThe evening is a great time to search for wildlife at Pleasant Valley. In this naturalist-guided hike, learn about the sanctuary's resident beavers and how other animals benefit from the ponds that they create. We will also learn how to…
Boreal Spruce-Fir Forest Flower, Plant, Tree & Wild Edibles Hike
Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center 1515 & 1516 Savoy Hollow Rd., Windsor, MABoreal Spruce-Fir Forest Flower, Plant, Tree & Wild Edibles Hike at the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA with Naturalist & Director Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Learn about the unique fauna and flora of high elevation forests and…
Tree Identification at Springside Park
Springside Park Pittsfield, MATake a leisurely tree identification walk with Chelsey Simmons from Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) in Springside Park, Pittsfield’s largest park and home to the Hebert Arboretum and an American Chestnut Preserve. Participants will learn key characteristics of common trees…
Beginner Naturalist Walk at Wild Acres (Housatonic Heritage Walk)
Wild Acres S Mountain Rd., Pittsfield, MAJoin Chelsey Simmons of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for a leisurely guided naturalist walk in Wild Acres Park, a Pittsfield Conservation Area that contains an expansive wetland and forested walking trails. Chelsey will lead participants to observe some of…
2024 Berkshire Biodiversity Day (BioBlitz)
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MACelebrating local biodiversity during a time of unprecedented global biodiversity loss, the 15th Berkshire Biodiversity Day (aka Berkshire BioBlitz) welcomes community members of all ages to join biologists, naturalists, and environmentalists to identify as many plants, animals, fungi, and other…
“Lichens: Their Roles in Nature and Their Secrets” with Kay Hurley at Berkshire Biodiversity Day
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MADiscover the fascinating world of lichens with Kay Hurley at the 15th Berkshire Biodiversity Day. Join us for an engaging exploration of these remarkable underdogs of the fungal world. Kay will reveal the surprising roles lichens play in the lives…
“From Stigma to Significance: Arthropods and Us” with Professor Bugman at Berkshire Biodiversity Day
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MAAt the 15th Berkshire Biodiversity Day, Bryan "Professor Bugman" Man will talk about why it’s more important than ever to learn about, understand, and embrace the largest and most diverse group of animals our world has ever seen. Arthropods often…
“Moth Mystique: Illuminating the Dark Side of Winged Wonders” with Carla Rhodes at Berkshire Biodiversity Day
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MAJoin the dark side with conservation photographer and moth enthusiast Carla Rhodes for a captivating presentation on the kaleidoscopic world of moths. While showcasing her backyard moth photography, Carla will share why moths are essential to our ecosystem, and how…
Observing Moths at Night: Lightsheeting Demo with Matthew Rymkiewicz at Berkshire Biodiversity Day
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MAJoin Matthew Rymkiewicz for a demo on mothing—using a light to look for moths at night—at the 15th Berkshire Biodiversity Day (aka Berkshire BioBlitz). This demonstration is an excellent opportunity for people to experience one of the surveying techniques used…
Talk with the Indian Doctress: Interpreting 19th Century Native American Medicine
Shea Theater 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MADr. Marge Bruchac discusses research on Native medicinal plants and practitioners, the approaches she uses to make these histories visible, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project, in collaboration with the Nolumbeka Project. In 19th century New England,…
Tree Identification Walk at Lower Bowker’s Woods (Housatonic Heritage Walk)
Lower Bowker's Woods 16 Glendale Middle Rd, Glendale, MA, United StatesJoin Chelsey Simmons, BEAT's programs director, for a tree identification walk in Lower Bowker’s Woods to learn key characteristics of common trees in western Massachusetts and get tips to help identify them. The 1-mile trail meanders along the Housatonic River…
8th Annual Berkshire Natural History Conference
Berkshire Community College 1350 West St., Pittsfield, MALearn about native birds, turtles, caves, and more at the Eighth Annual Berkshire Natural History Conference on Saturday, October 19, from 9 AM to 4 PM. The event, which features fascinating presentations by local and regional naturalists and acclaimed authors,…
Return of the Chestnut Tree: Restoration Tour
Led by New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill horticulturist and land steward, Robert Graham, and volunteers Lois & Denis Melican, discover this innovative restoration project and enjoy fresh ripe chestnuts during peak season. Come prepared for a hike in…