BEAT Webinar on Campaign to End Non-Native Fish Stocking

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) announces the launch of its campaign "Stop Non-Native Fish Stocking," a public education and advocacy effort urging the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to end the routine stocking of non-native fish in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.

The campaign highlights the ecological consequences of current stocking practices and aligns with state commitments to biodiversity and climate resilience. 

According to a press release:

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) spends millions of dollars to raise and stock waterways with non-native fish for recreational fishing. According to state information, stocked fish are generally unable to survive long-term, resulting in extremely high mortality rates shortly after stocking and potentially contributing to excess nutrients. Other independent research shows that stocking non-native fish disrupts aquatic ecosystems and negatively impacts native species. These outcomes run counter to the Massachusetts Biodiversity Mandate, which directs state agencies to protect native species and biodiversity across the Commonwealth. By advocating for an end to non-native stocking, BEAT seeks to modernize fisheries management in a way that prioritizes ecosystem health and public accountability.

BEAT will host a free public webinar on March 3, 2026, titled "The Harmful Practice of Fish Stocking in Massachusetts and What You Can Do to Help," to provide ecological context, review key findings, and offer space for discussion and questions, while also supporting informed public engagement around fisheries management decisions and providing practical guidance on how to push for policy change, including how to effectively contact MassWildlife and state officials. 

Registration is Required. RSVP at https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/event/stop-fish-stocking-webinar/

This campaign is part of BEAT's broader mission to protect the natural systems that sustain wildlife and communities in the Berkshires and beyond. BEAT's work integrates science, advocacy, and community engagement to address emerging environmental challenges and ensure that public resources support resilient, biodiverse ecosystems. 

Registration details for the March 3 webinar and additional campaign resources are available at: https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/stop-stocking/

Dalton Fire District Faces Major Decision on Future of Station

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:36AM / Monday, September 07, 2026

Select Board Chair Robert Bishop brings up the potential of collaborating with the Fire District on a combined public safety building, which would solve both the fire and police station problems.

DALTON, Mass. — For several years, the Dalton Fire District has emphasized the fire station's space limitations, and a recent community and space needs analysis further demonstrated that significant decisions need to be made about the facility's future.

 

The district was established in 1884 after rapid growth strained the town's limited water supply for drinking and fire protection. After a fire destroyed seven paper mills, local leaders began searching for new water sources. Check out our story on the district's charter. 

 

MissionCIT (Critical Immersive Training) LLC was contracted by the district to conduct the needs assessment, with its findings presented during last Tuesday's Board of Water Commissioners meeting. View the full report here. 

 

Over the last century, the department has evolved alongside advances in firefighting technology and practices, with changes in staffing, training, equipment requirements, and call volume and types ultimately causing it to outgrow its facility, Mark Waters of Mission CIT said. 

 

The most recent change came in 2022, when the district assumed control of the ambulance service following the closure of the Dalton Ambulance and Rescue Association and added Advanced Life Support to its services.

 

The department now provides both Advanced and Basic Life Support services.

 

"The bottom line is that this building is being used for something today that it wasn't built for almost 70 years ago," Waters said.