One-Day Track and Sign Certification with BEAT and a TCNA Evaluator

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) is offering a One-Day Track and Sign Certification led by Daniel Hansche, an evaluator with Tracker Certification North America and the founder of Spur Wander, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Washington Marsh in October Mountain State Forest.
 
Learn how to recognize tracks of mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates on your landscape and interpret animal movement and behavior. This explorative practice reveals a hidden world of wildlife sign and develops the ability to find subtle evidence of animal presence. In short, this skill set facilitates knowledge on a remarkable variety of life in an ecosystem. 
 
Tracker Certification North America (TCNA) educates trackers of all skill levels and, through the CyberTracker Conservation Certification process, ensures reliable observations from professionals and community scientists alike. Using these skills to measure landscape health, CyberTracker Conservation’s mission is to create a worldwide environmental monitoring network.
 
This one-day evaluation offered by BEAT will provide an excellent springboard to practice and apply fundamental tracking skills. It will also give participants an opportunity to get certified as a Level 1 Tracker with TCNA. 
 
Space is limited, and registration is required. There is also a limited amount of financial aid available. Learn more at www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/one-day-track-sign-cybertracker-evaluation/.
 
This educational program is offered by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pittsfield. Learn more about BEAT's programs and what they do at www.thebeatnews.org.

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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