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Bird Your Way: Accessible Birding

  • Saturday, September 27, 2025
    9 AM – 10:30 AM

Events

Birding is for everyone, no matter their experiences, abilities, or identities. There is no one way to bird. For this outing, we will be slowing down. Instead of chasing birds, we will wait for them to come to us, as we observe the variety of habitats and look for signs of fall bird migration along the accessible Meadow Loop at BNRC’s Thomas & Palmer Brook reserve.

Bring your knowledge, but even more importantly, bring your curiosity. Who will we see or hear? What behaviors? Colors? Sounds? And how will this experience of birding make you feel? From the entire sky being a blank canvas of possibility to zooming in on a fleeting, special moment of nature, you deserve to soak up the benefits of the great outdoors.  

Led by educator and naturalist Dave Edson, this event prioritizes anyone with mobility challenges and their loved ones. Let’s share joy in community, and we encourage you to find your way to bird.  

Event Details

Location: Thomas & Palmer Brook, Great Barrington 

Directions: 

  • GPS: Google Maps | 42.1955, -73.3370
  • The parking area is located at 305 State Road (Route 23) in Great Barrington across from the Koi Restaurant.

Who is Invited: Everyone! Priority given to people with limited physical mobility and their families, loved ones, and caretakers. Please let us know if you have accessibility needs in the registration form. Service animals welcome (just let us know so that we can inform other participants.)

What to bring: Anything you need to be comfortable! No binoculars required, but we will have some available for loan. Bottle and water and snacks provided. Please bring your own medical necessities (EpiPen, inhaler, etc.).

Number of attendees: 10 (not including potential caretakers) 

Hike Leaders: Dave Edson and Charlotte Hood

Language: This hike will be led in English.   

Trail Details & Accessibility 

There are two benches and viewing areas overlooking a wetland and meadow. This trail winds through a meadow and therefore has little shade.

Trail Accessibility: The Meadow Loop was designed and built in 2020 to U.S. Forest Service Trail Accessibility Standards. The trail is approximately 0.5-mile of 6-foot-wide crushed stone surfacing with a running slope not exceeding 8% and cross slope not exceeding 5%. 

  • 90-foot bridge with 20-foot approaches at 6% grade, 7 feet wide, and 50-inch-tall railing. Some of the wooden boards on the bridge are warped and raised < ¾ inch. 

  • A few sections of 8% grade along the trail <14 feet long 

  • 7% grade halfway around the trail (0.25 miles) for 100 feet 

  • The gravel parking area has two designated accessible parking spaces.   

Parking: The gravel parking area has two designated accessible parking spaces.  

For those who may have an accessible parking placard/plate but do have the ability to park further away, we ask that you do what you can to save the closest spaces for those who can’t go further, while still parking within your comfort and ability distance. 

Amenities/Bathrooms: There will be an accessible porta potty on site. Bottled water and snacks will also be available. 

Questions

If you have questions at any time, please ask. We’re here for you! Email Charlotte at chood@bnrc.org. Also, please share any specific accommodations or support you may need in the text box below! 

Other things to keep in mind: Please read the event description in detail. This trail was chosen to be as enjoyable as possible for most folks, but only you can decide if an outing is appropriate for you. 

Cancelations 

  • If you can no longer attend, please email chood@ bnrc.org as soon possible so that someone else can take your place.
  • In the case of event cancelation, an email and/or call will be sent to all registered participants.

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In-Person Event Questions

Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Inc. (“BNRC”)

I understand that there are risks involved in performing physical activities of any nature. I acknowledge and freely assume those risks. I believe I am physically fit to participate in the BNRC events/volunteer opportunities in which I seek to participate (“Activity”). If I feel any Activity I am performing is beyond my skills or capabilities, I will stop participating in that Activity and notify BNRC.

In consideration of having the opportunity to participate in an Activity

  1. I waive, release, and discharge and covenant not to sue BNRC, its Board of Directors, officers, managers, agents, employees, successors and assigns (the “BNRC Releasees”) from any and all claims, losses, or liabilities for personal injury (including death), disability, or damage of any kind which may arise out of or relate to my participation in such Activity (including, without limitation, any travel), regardless of whether such damages or injury is due in whole or in part the negligence of BNRC.

  2. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the BNRC Releasees from any of the claims made or liabilities assessed against them as a result of my negligent actions or inactions during or in connection with any such Activity.

Event/Volunteer Acknowledgment Waiver & Release (Minor/s)

Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Inc.

For persons under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign this Event/Volunteer Acknowledgment, Waiver and Release and complete the following section.

I, the undersigned (parent/guardian) execute this Acknowledgment, Waiver and Release for and on behalf of the minors identified below (the “Minor/s”). I represent that I have the legal capacity and authority to act for and on behalf of the Minor/s as their natural or legal guardian.

  1. I consent to the participation by the Minor/s in the Activity for which the Minor/s seek to participate.
  2. I agree to release, hold harmless, indemnify and covenant not to sue the BNRC Releasees (defined above) from and against any and all claims, losses, or liabilities for personal injury, disability, or damage of any kind arising out of or relating to the Minor/s’s participation in or traveling to and from any such Activity.

I give permission to BNRC to take photographs [and video/audio recordings] of [me/my minor children identified below] while engaged in the Activity and to use, distribute, publish and publicly perform all or parts of the photographs and video/audio recordings for BNRC’s educational and promotional purposes. This permission includes the right to use the photographs/recordings on the BNRC website, social media pages, or other media. This permission is irrevocable.

I release BNRC from any claims arising out of the uses of the photographs/video recordings described above, and I understand that I shall not be entitled to any compensation or royalties resulting from the use of such photographs/recordings.

How many children are in your group?
Please share any accommodations or support you may need for this program (for example, if you or someone in your group uses a wheelchair and will need extra space for turnarounds, breaks for resting, or accessible parking). The more information we have, the better we can plan and prepare for a successful and inclusive event!

Event Details

Title: Bird Your Way: Accessible Birding

Current attendees: None yet; Be the first!

Event date and time: 9/27/25 9:00 AM