BEAT to Host Tree Identification Walk Oct. 8

Print Story | Email Story

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will lead a free tree identification walk at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Participants will meet at the trailhead of Lower Bowker’s Woods, a Laurel Hill Association property located near Stockbridge, MA. The walk will last between 1.5 and 2 hours. Anybody is welcome to join, but the number of participants is limited. If you want to join, email chelsey@thebeatnews.org or call 413-464-9402 to RSVP.

Participants will learn key characteristics of common trees in western Massachusetts and get tips to help identify them by species. The 1-mile trail meanders along the Housatonic River and through a charming upland forest. The trail is typically considered an easy route, but it has uneven terrain in some areas with many roots; it also intersects railroad tracks. Some areas of the trail can be very wet and muddy.

Wear sturdy shoes that can handle getting muddy and possibly a little wet. Long pants and long socks are recommended, as there is poison ivy along the trail, and ticks can be abundant this time of year. 

DIRECTIONS: 

Going west from the Main Street of Stockbridge: Continue through Main St and past the Stockbridge golf course. After crossing the golf course bridge, Main Street turns into Glendale Middle Rd. Continue down Glendale Middle for approximately half a mile, and the trailhead will be on the right. A small green sign says “Lower Bowker’s Woods”.

Going southwest from Route 102: After passing the Berkshire Botanical Garden, you’ll come to an intersection of Rt 102 and Highway 183 (also known as Glendale Rd). Take a right onto 183, continue down this road for about 1.3 miles, and then take a left onto Glendale Middle Rd and continue for approximately 0.3 miles. The trailhead will be on the left.

This walk is sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team. BEAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Pittsfield, MA. They work with the community to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all. To learn more about BEAT, visit their website at www.thebeatnews.org, or contact them at team@thebeatnews.org, (413) 464-9402.

 


Tags: BEAT,   trees,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

South County Road Maintenance

LEE, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing crews will be conducting daytime and overnight hour guardrail repair, drainage work, bridge repair, and tree trimming operations at various locations and times on I-90 eastbound and westbound during the week of Monday, May 20.

Lane closures will be in place during the construction operations and traffic will be able to travel through the work zones.  The schedule for the work and lane closures will be as follows: 

Otis/Blandford 

  • Guardrail and drainage work will be conducted on I-90 westbound between mile marker 22.0 to 26.6 from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24.

Otis

  • Bridge repair operations will be conducted nightly on I-90 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 22.5, from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24.

Blandford

  • Bridge repair operations will be conducted nightly on I-90 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 26.4 from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24.

Russell

  • Tree trimming work will be conducted daily on I-90 westbound between mile marker 30.0 to mile marker 31.0, from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. 

Stockbridge/West Stockbridge

  • Guardrail and bridge repair work will be conducted nightly on I-90 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 3.0 to 6.0, from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24.

Stockbridge

  • Bridge repair operations will be conducted daily on I-90 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 7.5, from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

West Stockbridge

  • Bridge repair operations will be conducted daily on I-90 eastbound and westbound at mile marker 0.6, from Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

Lee

  • Drainage work will be conducted nightly on I-90 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 8.0 to 14.0, on Monday, May 20, through Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the next morning. The work is expected to conclude by 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24.

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. 

Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.  

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. 

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories