Buds, Twigs, and Bark: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs in Winter

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join Chelsey Simmons of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for the February Berkshire Green Drinks virtual event to explore the buds, twigs, and bark of common trees seen in the New England landscape. 
 
It may be surprising, but winter is actually an excellent time to learn how to identify woody plant species. The absence of leaves allows for the opportunity to take a closer look at the characteristics that are often overlooked, like the subtle features of a twig, the arrangement of buds, and the overall form and structure of a tree. Chelsey will go over the steps to tree identification, break down twig morphology, and give helpful hints on remembering one species from another — all of which will aid in tree and shrub identification year-round.
 
The presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom at 6 PM on Wednesday, February 14. Registration is required to receive the meeting link. Register at: http://tinyurl.com/Feb2024-Berks-Green-Drinks
 
Chelsey Simmons is the programs director for Berkshire Environmental Action Team, a nonprofit based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. As part of her work for BEAT, she leads numerous naturalist walks throughout Berkshire County year-round. For the past few years, she's been working on an identification book of trees and shrubs found in western Massachusetts, meticulously drawing and painting each page by hand and sharing those pages with the public through BEAT's "Tree of the Month" series with the hope of getting people excited about trees and interested in the native species found in our region.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks (formerly Pittsfield Green Drinks) is an informal gathering that takes place once a month. A guest speaker talks for about 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM, and the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. 

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Pittsfield Council OKs $15M Borrowing for Drinking Water System

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council last week approved borrowing $15 million for drinking water system upgrades, and heard a commitment from the Department of Public Works to consider solutions for the intersection of Onota and Linden Streets. 

Last month, the council supported the borrowing for the city's two drinking water plants during its regular meeting. 

Commissioner of Public Services Ricardo Morales explained that the decades-old filtration units need to be babysat "much more" than usual, and the city is due for new technology. 

Pittsfield's two Krofta water treatment plants were installed in the 1980s and are said to be beyond anticipated useful service and at risk for catastrophic failure that could result in a shortage of potable water. Krofta is a compact filtration system that Pittsfield will continue to use, with four new units at the Cleveland WTP and two at the Ashley WTP.  

"When the Krofta was built in 1980, I was there on the council, and here we are looking to repair or replace certain parts," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said. 

"So 40 years later, I think we need to do that." 

The full drinking water project is expected to cost $165 million over the next eight years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs. The initial ask would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3 and Phase 1 of interim updates. 

The $15 million borrowing breaks down into $9.2 million for the design and permitting, $2.4 million for the construction of Phase 1, and $1.4 million in city allowances, including owner's project manager services, land acquisition, legal fees, and contingency. 

Pittsfield's water system includes six surface water reservoirs, five high-hazard dams, one low-hazard dam, two water treatment plants, two chlorinator stations, and gravity flow from the plants to the city. It serves Pittsfield, Dalton, Lenox, and the Berkshire Mall property. 

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