Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

September 29 Deadline for Berkshire Environmental Projects

September 1, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—The Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is accepting applications through September 29. In 2011, the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund will award $13,000 and invites applications from grassroots organizations for an educational project that will engage Berkshire County youth with water quality and related land resources. Preference is given to projects that will serve as a catalyst to broaden educational opportunities, and are likely to have a lasting connection with other educational and environmental programs.

Berkshire County is unique not only in Massachusetts, but in New England, for the abundance and diversity of its natural resources. The two major watersheds for the Housatonic and Hoosic rivers contain extensive wetlands unlike any others, including bogs and fens that in turn support unusual plants. Much of Berkshire County is undeveloped and is blessed with a population of residents and visitors who treasure its natural environment. The Berkshire Environmental Endowment (BEE) is the first permanent source of funding for environmental quality in the Berkshires.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation launched BEE early in 2000 with a significant grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, matched by funds from a number of individuals in Berkshire County.

The fund awarded 2010 grants to the following organizations:

Berkshire Environmental Educators: A comprehensive water quality program was developed for three elementary schools throughout Berkshire County.

Greenagers/CPC: A new collaboration is being created between Greenagers, the Southern Berkshire chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA), and the Southern Berkshire Envirothon team. This collaboration will create a stand-alone project that all three will participate in as well as reinforce each organization's continued programming. These three organizations will work together in creating an experience-based project involving the waterways and wetlands of Southern Berkshire County and the intersecting, competing, and complementary aspects of land use (particularly agriculture), and land preservation and conservation.

Great Barrington Land Conservancy: Housatonic River Walk is a riverside greenway trail in downtown Great Barrington MA that reclaims south Berkshire County's most severely abused riverbank, secures public access, and provides a half mile of artfully crafted walking trail and canoe access. River Walk furthers the restoration of 1/2 linear mile (approximately 50' wide) of severely abused riverbank and 750 square feet of rain garden, with hundreds of volunteers yearly learning to be river stewards and examples to others. River Walk received BEE funds to further its educational objectives with community service days, river bottom cleanups, tours, lectures and website outreach.

Applications are available online or by calling 413.229.0370.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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