River Walk is closed for the season, a bit early this year due to the recent snowstorm. Thank you Greenager trail master Elia Del Molino; Greenager apprentices Kev Troiano, Meri Powell, Jake Adamczyk, and Will Van Sant; horticulturalist Heather Cupo; and more than 158 volunteers for a terrific 2018 season. Please join new director Christine Ward and the River Walk staff for our annual Earthday workday in April, 2019, when we open again in the spring. Among our 2018 accomplishments CLICK

On September 13, more than 200 gathered at Crissey Farm to celebrate River Walk, Rachel Fletcher & 30 Years of Community Activism

And to view the premiere of “Housatilla Float” with archival footage of the Housatonic River Flotilla, August 3, 1991, by Clemens Kalischer and Lee Everett.

The event was sponsored by Great Barrington Land Conservancy, Crissey Farm, Smitty Pignatelli and Housatonic Heritage.

CLICK for Photo Presentation at the event

CLICK for WAMC interview with Rachel Fletcher on August 10, 2018

CLICK for WSBS Religious Roundtable interview with Dan Bolognani about Housatonic Heritage, River Walk, and more, on August 26, 2018

CLICK for Berkshire Eagle article by Heather Bellow, “Housatonic River Founder Stepping down,” August 6, 2018

CLICK for Berkshire Edge article by Hannah Van Sickle, “Reflections on a Golden River, the work and legacy of Rachel Fletcher,” September 20, 2018

W. E. B. Du Bois’s special connection to rivers offers a unique lens through which to view his more well-known accomplishments. His publication of Langston Hughes’s “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” his 1930 speech on the Housatonic River, and his activism surrounding the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927—all speak to his lifelong dedication to environmental justice and to rivers everywhere.

On July 11, 2018, organizations throughout Berkshire County gathered to honor this Great Barrington native with readings and musical offerings.

CLICK for the full proceedings.

CLICK for Berkshire Eagle coverage.

CLICK for Berkshire Edge coverage.

CLICK for video of Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng and Antoine Roney’s “musical libation” (by Beth Carlson).

CLICK for video of MaryNell Morgan-Brown’s musical interpretation of the Sorrow Songs and

CLICK for video of MaryNell Morgan-Brown’s interpretation of Jacob’s Ladder (by Stephanie Bergman).

More photos (by David Edgecomb)….

CLICK

Sundays in September, 2018, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Housatonic Heritage Walks

Take an interpretive stroll on the River Walk. Learn about the Berkshires’s National Recreation Trail and discover its historic, cultural and ecological significance. (Sept. 9^th,16^th,23^rd, & 30^th)

1 hour-.5 miles

Join the Greenagers for a guided tour that follows the Housatonic River as it flows behind Main Street, where 3100 volunteers have removed 400 tons of debris and developed a trail that respects nature and reveals the river’s beauty.

Meet at the Du Bois River Garden Park at Church Street and River Street.

Want to help volunteer?

Thursdays 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

(May through October, except for August)

Community volunteer workdays on the River Walk with our interns and staff

Spend a morning with the River Walk Team for this weekly opportunity to contribute to the care of the trail and its riverside habitat. Special projects will be planned for some Thursdays. Registration is requested.

Reports on Guided Tree Walk with Tom Ingersoll and What’s All the Buzz About? with Heather Cupo and Amy Pulley.

CLICK

Thank you Big Y volunteers! In just 2 hours on July 12, 2018, you accomplished a major targeted trail maintenance project (vegetation clearing and guardrail painting) and rid the river bank and trail of two buckets full of litter!

More photos….

CLICK

On June 10, 2018, River Walk went wild with a savory day of guided walking, talking, and wild edible tastings–with Russ Cohen, author of Wild Plants I have Known…and Eaten and River Walk horticulturalist, Heather Cupo. A special thanks to our friends at the Berkshire Coop for making River Walk their June Round Up For Change. And thank you Project Native for making this program possible. For pictures CLICK

Most intrepid group ever! On June 5, 2018, you braved a downpour and never flinched! Thank you for giving us a day at River Walk to weed and mulch our entire downstream allee of trees and seedbeds, and then turn the compost. Please come again next year, you just get better and better! For pictures CLICK

Special Event: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 2:00 PM

W.E.B. Du Bois River Park, Church & River Sts., Great Barrington

W. E. B. Du Bois’s special connection to rivers offers a unique lens through which to view his more well-known accomplishments. His publication of Langston Hughes’s The Negro Speaks of Rivers, his 1930 speech on the Housatonic River, and his activism surrounding the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927—all speak to his lifelong dedication to environmental justice and to rivers everywhere.

Organizations throughout Berkshire County will honor this Great Barrington native with readings and musical offerings. These include a musical interpretation by MaryNell Morgan-Brown of the “Sorrow Songs” from Du Bois’s classic work, The Souls of Black Folk, and a “musical libation” introduced by jazz specialist James Browne and performed by Ghanian Master Drummer Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng and American Saxophonist Antoine Roney, in tribute to Du Bois’s African and American duality.

The event will be followed by a walking tour of sites in Great Barrington that helped to shape the town’s iconic native son, including Du Bois’s Birth Site, First Congregational Church, and the Warren Davis Home. The walk will conclude at the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, 9 Elm Court, with a reception and refreshments. In the event of rain, the program will be held at First Congregational Church on Main Street.

CLICK

Thursdays in May: Bird with Us!

7:30 AM and 6:00 PM  in May, 2018

Meet at the St Peter’s parking lot entrance

Grab your binoculars. Focus on spring bird activity along the Housatonic River. River Walk is a birding hot spot. Over 65 species of bird have been seen and recorded. The river is a corridor; the habitat provides shelter and food.

CLICK for more information.

River Walk is now an officially registered e-bird Hotspot in Berkshire County  CLICK

More than 75 species of birds have been sighted on River Walk, including bald eagle, great blue heron, kingfisher, and flocks of cedar waxwing. Check out the e-bird site to see what’s been reported. When River Walk opens again in the spring, be sure to report sightings of your own!

Thank you scientists, environmentalists, teachers, students, the press, and people who care.
Thank you for turning up for our Worldwide March for Science on April 14, 2018 and voicing your commitment to science education and a science-based understanding of our natural world.

CLICK for Berkshire Edge coverage.

CLICK for Berkshire Eagle coverage.

CLICK

The River Walk trail is open!

Please join our annual
EARTH DAY WORKDAY
Saturday, April 21, 2018, 9 am – 2 pm
Lunch provided. Tours after 2 pm.

Meet at the DuBois River Garden Park
at Church and River Streets, Great Barrington.

Wear safe, protective clothing–
shoes with good traction, & gloves.

For more information CLICK

Want to help on other days in 2018?

CLICK

Sunday, April 14, 2018: Worldwide March for Science

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Now is the time for ACTION! Join the River Walk March for Science to demonstrate your commitment to science education and a science-based understanding our natural world.

Meet at W.E.B. Du Bois River Park

1:00 PM: Create a banner in appreciation of science in our lives.

2:00 PM: Join the March for Science to show your commitment to learning and caring for our natural world.

CLICK