Forest Conservation and Management Strategies for Climate Mitigation

Print Story | Email Story
SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Tom Ryan, a forester with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), will present at the November Berkshire Green Drinks event on Thursday, Nov. 9, in person and online via Zoom.
 
The in-person gathering begins at 5:15 PM at Big Elm Brewery Sheffield Taproom, 65 Silver Street. The presentation and Zoom meeting start at 6:00 PM. 
 
Ryan will touch on several areas within forestry, including an overview of the current state of our forested landscape, a summary of state forestry programs and the existing land use designations for DCR state properties, conservation options for private landowners, forest-climate adaptation and carbon management concepts, landscape-scale habitat restoration efforts, MA forest product consumption trends, biochar, and supporting local forest products and how this can help mitigate climate change.
 
Pre-registration is required to attend this free event. Learn more and RSVP at: https://tinyurl.com/Nov2023-Berks-Green-Drinks
 
Tom Ryan has been a forester with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) since 2003. In 2022, he shifted from the service forestry program – working with private landowners and municipalities – to the management forestry program, helping to manage and steward some 314,000 acres of state forest, park, and reservation lands. Ryan and his family live on a small working farm in southern Berkshire County. Ryan serves on the Tyringham volunteer fire department, as well as on the board of directors for the Bidwell House Museum located in Monterey, where he focuses on forest stewardship. Ryan is also a member of the Berkshire Woodworkers Guild.
 
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. 
 
Berkshire Green Drinks is sponsored and organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). 

Tags: BEAT,   

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

BHS Schedules Community Meeting on Fairview Hospital Revitalization Plan

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has scheduled a community meeting in July for area residents to ask questions about and comment on planned renovations to the Fairview Hospital campus.
 
The campus revitalization plan blends historical preservation with innovative design to better integrate new technologies and provide a more welcoming, personalized, and inclusive environment for patients at every step of their care journey. 
 
A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Rd., Great Barrington. BHS leaders and members of the project team will be on hand to discuss the proposed building plans. Berkshire Health Systems looks forward to hearing community input during this important meeting and partnering with staff, donors, and the entire community to ensure a successful renovation of its beloved community hospital.
 
While specific details of the project are still being finalized, the overall elements of the plan include construction of a new outpatient building adjacent to the current hospital which will include new surgical and imaging suites, including a new MRI, and an expanded emergency department. There are also plans to renovate a floor in the existing building to create modern new patient rooms. Together, these upgrades will offer more space for state-of-the-art treatment and technology, allowing Fairview Hospital to meet the changing needs of its community.  
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories