Pittsfield Green Drinks Water Quality in Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elena Traister will speak at the April Pittsfield Green Drinks event on Tuesday, April 19th at 6:00 PM.
 
Traister will talk about the Clean Water Act (CWA), give a summary of the primary pollutants affecting the Housatonic and Hoosic watersheds, and briefly touch on policy aimed at continuing to improve water quality.
 
Traister has taught environmental studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) for 16 years, where she also currently serves as coordinator of campus sustainability. Her research mostly focuses on rivers, especially water quality and sources of pollution to streams in the Hoosic River watershed.
 
As part of this discussion, Traister will give a brief historical perspective on the CWA, then discuss some of the state's water quality monitoring findings for the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. She'll touch on some of the primary pollutants that continue to be problematic — such as pathogens, nutrients, PCBs — and emerging concerns, like salinization.
 
This October will mark 50 years since the enactment of the Clean Water Act. 
 
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. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/April2022-Green-Drinks-Event
 
Pittsfield Green Drinks is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team
 

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Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.

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