Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership Awarded Grant

Staff Reports 07:17AM / Thursday, July 16, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The state awarded Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership $225,784 to expand regional capacity to deliver nature-based climate solutions, accelerate the removal of aquatic barriers, and restore connected cold-water habitat for native fish.

The grant was part of Healey?Driscoll Administration's announcement of over $1 million in grants to six regional restoration partnerships that help communities restore rivers and wetlands, reduce flooding, improve water-quality, and strengthen climate resilience across Massachusetts.

The Konkapot River Restoration Project led by the Berkshire Clean, Cold and Connected Partnership and Trout Unlimited will continue work to reconnect the river to its floodplain and improve cold?water habitat. Planned actions include installing large wood structures and regrading select floodplain areas to reduce flood risks, restore natural river processes, and enhance habitat quality in this high?priority cold?water system.

The Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership unites organizations, agencies, and communities to strengthen aquatic health and climate resilience in the Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds encompassing 32 municipalities in Western Massachusetts.

"Communities across Massachusetts are leading important restoration projects, and we're proud to give them the tools and support they need to succeed," said Governor Maura Healey. "These partnerships will help protect neighborhoods from flooding, restore wildlife habitat and create healthier rivers and wetlands across our state."

Through the Department of Fish & Game's (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) Partnerships Program, the funding will support three existing and three new partnerships that work directly with cities, towns, and local organizations to develop and advance locally led projects.

DER's Regional Restoration Partnerships Program expands regional capacity by providing support, technical expertise, and project development assistance to nonprofit organizations and Regional Planning Agencies across the state. These regional partners help municipalities identify high?priority restoration projects, secure funding, navigate permitting, and restore rivers, wetlands, and floodplains in ways that improve habitat for wildlife, protect clean water, and reduce flood risks.

By investing in regional capacity, the program helps communities complete restoration projects, build long-term local capacity, and ensures every region of Massachusetts has the support needed to protect and restore its rivers, wetlands, and coastal systems.

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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