Berkshire Green Drinks: “Rescue Raptors: Regulate Rat Poison"

Come hear from local activists Peggy White and Richard Clapper at the June Berkshire Green Drinks event, as they share their work on a growing movement to protect Massachusetts’ birds of prey and other predators from deadly rodent poisons. Supported by Mass Audubon, Peggy and Richard are helping lead the campaign to restrict the use of anticoagulant rodenticides—poisons that are killing not just rodents, but the wildlife (and pets) that feed on them.

Raptors, coyotes, and other predators play a critical role in keeping our ecosystems healthy and balanced. But these animals are being poisoned at alarming rates simply for doing what nature intended—eating rodents. When a predator consumes a poisoned rodent, it can suffer internal bleeding and die a slow, painful death.

The toxins—known as Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs)—are meant to control rodents, but their impact extends far beyond pests. Household pets, such as dogs and cats, hawks, owls, eagles, bobcats, and even people, can be harmed by these chemicals. ARs stay in a rodent’s body for days, posing a deadly risk to any animal that comes into contact with them.

Massachusetts lawmakers are now considering S. 644 / H. 965: An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment. This legislation could be a game-changer for protecting wildlife, pets, and people—but it needs public support to pass.

Join us to learn more about the dangers of rodenticides, the solutions being proposed, and what YOU can do to helpmove this critical legislation forward.

This is a free HYBRID event, taking place in person and online via Zoom. The in-person gathering begins around 5:15 PM at Hot Plate Brewing Co. in Pittsfield, MA. The presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM. Registration is required to receive the Zoom meeting info. to register for online participation.

Thank you to Hot Plate Brewing Co. for co-sponsoring this month's Berkshire Green Drinks event!

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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Richard Clapper spent his career working for Pepperidge Farm, a commercial bakery based in Connecticut. Now retired, he is a dedicated beekeeper, well aware of the potential danger of poison. Peggy White is a retired healthcare provider. Both are Berkshire residents who love nature and like to be known citizen activists who are dedicated to be the voice of wildlife.

What is Berkshire Green Drinks? Berkshire Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month. A guest speaker talks for about 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM, and the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren’t green but the conversations are. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join and bring along questions!

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These free educational events are organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team. BEAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit located 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, or contact them at dGVhbSB8IHRoZWJlYXRuZXdzICEgb3Jn, (413) 464-9402.

Consider supporting BEAT's work and free programs like this one by or purchasing a !

Also check out other Meetups in Pittsfield.