Senator Paul Mark represents the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District in the Massachusetts Senate.  The district consists of Becket and 56 other cities and towns in the four Western Massachusetts counties.  Paul previously served in the MA House of Representatives representing the 2nd Berkshire District which consisted of 29 communities in Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties over his tenure.  For this lecture series, Paul will be discussing his role as our Senator, which committees he serves on, and how the state budget and legislation under consideration can impact Becket and our region.  He will explain how we can best interact with him and his staff as well as address any questions or comments you may have.About BIC": learn about our services, our clients, the challenges they face and the contributions they bring to our community. 

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Thirty years ago seventy eight free-flowing miles of the Westfield River became the first Massachusetts river to receive federal designation as a Wild & Scenic River. The designation was in recognition of the outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, aquatic life, wildlife, water quality, historic, or cultural features of the river, its tributaries and watershed. 

Westfield River Wild & Scenic Committee Chair , Cindy Delpapa and Volunteer and Projects coordinator, Meredyth Babcock will be at BAC to share some of the amazing projects, creative outreach and ongoing programs championed by the Westfield River WIld & Scenic Committee to protect and enhance our Westfield River. Come hear what your community is doing and how you too can be a river steward.

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Protection of the night sky and limiting light pollution preserves the dark as a natural resource (and helps to take better space pictures!). See an exhibit of Destin’s work at Becket Arts Center July 13 - July 31 2023.

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Destin Heilman, Ph.D, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Director, UMass Medical Project Center Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Contribute to wildlife conservation while enhancing the beauty of your home gardens. This program describes the role of native trees, shrubs, perennials and wildflowers in transforming home landscapes into useful and beautiful native habitats.

Let’s explore:

• The value of native plants to nature

• How to use their ornamental value in sun and shade, and in every season

• The role of “nativars”, cultivars of native species, commonly sold in nurseries

• How natives can help solve issues, from shady woodland areas, to stream beds and wet swales, to sunny dry slopes

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Chris Ferrero, Gardening Speaker, Writer and Consultant

A retired corporate marketing director who was trained as a Cornell Master Gardener in Dutchess County, NY, Chris now lives in Stockbridge, MA. She has led demonstration garden teams, plant propagation workshops, alternatives-to-invasives coaching, and kids programs, as well as many other teams where she lends special expertise on shade perennials, flowering shrubs and native plants. She has also designed gardens that are recognized by Pollinator Pathways and the National Wildlife Federation. She speaks frequently to groups across the Northeast, and is now on the faculty at the Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Celebrate Earth Day!

Environmentalist and Pittsfield-native Jane Winn, executive director of BEAT (Berkshire Environmental Action Team) will be at BAC to discuss the positive things that BEAT is doing in the Berkshires to protect and enhance our environment in light of climate change and biodiversity challenges. Jane will offer tips and ideas on how we can address "Zero Waste" and be a part of this effort in our own lives and beyond.