Partnership Overview
The Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership (BCCC) was founded in 2021 as one of the first pilot DER Restoration Partnerships supported by DER. Located in Western Massachusetts, this Partnership Region is located within Berkshire County and includes three watersheds - the Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds.
Lead Partnership Sponsor: The Lead Partnership Sponsor, the organization which is contracted with DER and coordinates the Partnership, is Housatonic Valley Association.
Core Partners: Core Partners are the individual organizations who receive funding from the Lead Project Sponsor to help advance the Partnership's ecological restoration work and are vital to the Partnership’s success. Core Partners for BCCC include: Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Farmington River Watershed Association, Hoosic River Watershed Association, The Nature Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited.
The boundary of the Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership in Western Massachusetts.
Partnership Vision
The Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership envision a region that is ecologically resilient to climate change and a community that is interconnected with the health and well being of our watersheds. We anticipate increasing the pace and scale of ecological restoration in the Berkshires by building the capacity of local municipalities and partner organizations to collaboratively restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and increase climate resiliency.
Partnership Actions
Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership is currently:
- Building regional restoration collaboration for the Berkshire region.
- Advancing 4 dam removals.
- Advancing 9 culvert replacements.
- Advancing 6 riparian bank restorations.
- Working with 19 communities on prioritizing culvert assessments and replacements.
- Actively engaging over 500 individuals each year through education and outreach events designed to build awareness, foster stewardship, and support community-driven action across the region. Through workshops, volunteer restoration days, public presentations, and school-based programs, we connect residents of all ages to the health of their local waterways and landscapes.
Meet the Restoration Coordinator
Leah Farr, Housatonic Valley Association: Leah joined HVA in late summer 2024. She has over a decade of experience in Conservation Management. She earned a dual bachelor's degree in Natural Resources and Sustainability from Oregon State University. She has gained over 10 years of hands-on experience in natural resource management. Leah spent 8.5 years as a park ranger, where she focused on conservation, land stewardship, and community engagement. She then transitioned to a field ecologist position, specializing in stream and wetland mitigation and restoration for 1.5 years. She is now continuing her dedication to environmental restoration and climate resiliency with HVA. When she's not working, Leah loves spending time outdoors paddle boarding, hiking, or rock climbing. She enjoys getting creative with different craft projects and cherishes moments spent with her family.
Connect with Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership! Email Leah at lfarr@hvatoday.org.