Join BEAT To Free a Tree From Invasive Hardy Kiwi

08:00AM / Tuesday, August 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join BEAT on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Burbank Park in Pittsfield to remove invasive hardy kiwi.

Hardy kiwi is an ornamental plant known for its fast and dense growing patterns that has become a significant issue in Berkshire County. The dense curtains can smother native plants, creating a monoculture that threatens biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, according to a press release.

To help free the area of this harmful invasive, the BEAT team and volunteers will meet at the Onota Boat Launch on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9:00 AM - Noon. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Participants will pull and cut kiwi vines, specifically removing any fruit to keep wildlife from eating it and spreading the plant further.

Participants should come prepared to walk approximately 10 minutes into the forest and spend an hour or two pulling hardy kiwi. Wearing long pants, long socks, and closed-toed shoes is important. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring a full water bottle and any equipment, such as gloves, shears, or loppers they possess. BEAT has equipment participants can borrow. Before the pulling begins, BEAT will direct volunteers to sections of hardy kiwi and provide any necessary instructions. This event is open to everyone, regardless of previous experience.

Tags: BEAT,

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Letter: Time to retire Maryland's third senator

09:30AM / Tuesday, August 04, 2026

To the Editor:

Time to retire Maryland's third senator

Sen. Chuck Grassley visits all 99 Iowa counties every year (not every six years) as does his colleague Sen. Joni Ernst. The media has dubbed this tour "The Full Grassley."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar goes to all 87 Minnesota counties annually and Sen. Chuck Schumer shows up in all 62 New York counties each year.

Our junior senators from Ed Brooke to Paul Tsongas to John Kerry all made it a point to get to each and every part of the Commonwealth.

We have 14 counties (one of which – Nantucket - is a single town) and yet there are dozens of communities from the hilltowns of western Mass to North Quabbin and the Blackstone Valley that Sen. Ed Markey can't be bothered to set foot in. Since joining the US Senate in 2013, he's never visited almost all of the rural towns in the five western counties. This is unacceptable.

The fact that he spends more time in his Chevy Chase mansion rather than in Cheshire, Chesterfield and Charlton is why he's earned the disparaging moniker as Maryland's third senator.

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