Free Tree Identification Walk at The Clark in Williamstown

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will host a free tree identification walk at The Clark Art Institute's grounds and walking trails in Williamstown on Saturday, June 28, at 9:30 AM. (Rain Date: Sunday, June 29)
 
This walk will last approximately two hours and will feature slow-paced stops along the way. Participants will be outdoors for the entire duration of the walk, so appropriate footwear, clothing, and drinking water are recommended.
 
On this guided walk, participants will learn key characteristics of trees commonly found in Western Massachusetts. Led by a Berkshire naturalist and tree enthusiast, the walk will offer tips and tricks for recognizing tree species throughout the year, regardless of the presence of leaves. In addition to learning how to identify trees, participants will have the opportunity to view some of the artwork integrated into the natural landscape of The Clark.
 
This event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited, and registration is required. For more information or to register, email chelsey@thebeatnews.org.
 
This tree walk is part of a grant awarded by the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts to Berkshire Environmental Action Team. BEAT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pittsfield, MA. They work with the community to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all. To learn more about BEAT, visit their website at www.thebeatnews.org or contact them at team@thebeatnews.org, (413) 464-9402.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Government Presents Communication Plan

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown is working to improve communications with residents.
 
The town manager told the Select Board last week that the town obtained a Community Compact Best Practices grant from the state's Division of Local Services to fund a consultant from the University of Massachusetts at Boston's Collins Center for Public Management to develop a communications strategy.
 
Improved communications is a growing concern for small towns like Williamstown, Town Manager Robert Menicocci told the board.
 
"The world has changed with social media," Menicocci said. "The expectations of what a community communicates to its citizens — the game has been upped.
 
"I think this was a new area for government and many communities are looking at a need to staff up to address communications, where, in the past, maybe a big city would have a communications director. Now that has trickled down to almost all small communities."
 
To that end, the town has completely revamped its website and hired its first communications director — both steps that were included in the November 2025 Collins Center report, "Roadmap for Inclusive and Accessible Municipal Communications in Williamstown, Mass."
 
Brianna Sunryd, a public services manager at the Collins Center, presented her group's findings to the Select Board.
 
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