Berkshire Natural Resources Council Awarded Conservation Partnership Grant

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $12 million in grants for projects in 40 communities across Massachusetts that will help protect open space, build parks and give more people access to the outdoors.
 
The funding will support projects like creating new walking trails, protecting forests and wetlands, building neighborhood parks and preserving land near rivers and lakes that provide drinking water.  
 
In Berkshire County, Berkshire Natural Resources Council was awarded $288,500 for the Depot Brook Corridor Project.
 
The project is within a half mile of the Appalachian Trail and is a focal area of the Resilient and Connected Network. In addition, it protects forest and coldwater stream habitat, the headwaters of Depot Brook. $288,500 Depot Brook Corridor Project 
 
The Becket Land Trust was awarded $73,550 for the Palmer Brook Forest Corridor. The site is entirely forested, containing diverse wetland systems, including hemlock swamps and boulder deposits, 80 percent of it is mapped BioMap Critical Natural Landscape, and it is adjacent to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
 
"Protecting open spaces is about investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities," said
Governor Maura Healey. "These projects support local economies, improve public health and make our neighborhoods better places to live. This funding helps ensure that every resident has access to the benefits of nature." 
 
The grants are awarded through three programs of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) helps cities and towns create and renovate outdoor recreation areas. The Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) program supports conservation commissions in protecting natural land. The Conservation Partnership Grant funds nonprofit land trusts that work to conserve open space for future generations. 
 
These grants are part of a broader effort to support local climate resilience and land conservation. The Governor’s recently introduced Mass Ready Act outlines new investments to protect water and nature while growing local economies and preparing communities for extreme weather. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories