Laurel Hill Day: 172 Years of Tradition

Stockbridge, MA | Saturday, August 29th

The Laurel Hill Association is pleased to welcome Will Conklin, Executive Director and founder of Greenagers, as the featured speaker for this year’s program. The afternoon will also feature Tom Ricardi, renowned wildlife rehabilitator and educator, presenting his popular Rescued Raptors program, Ben Nickley, Director of the Berkshire Bird Observatory, who will share insights into the region’s bird populations and conservation efforts, and Alan Dean and Berkshire Brass, performing period music from the mid nineteenth century, including selections from the American Brass Band Journal.

Tom Ricardi and his Rescued Raptors

The festivities begin at 2:00 PM in Laurel Hill Park, just above Stockbridge Town Hall, with Tom Ricardi’s exciting live presentation featuring rescued birds of prey. Families and visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to see eagles, hawks, falcons, and other raptors up close while learning how these remarkable birds hunt, nest, and survive. Tom’s engaging program also explores what these apex predators reveal about the health of our local ecosystems.

Alan Dean and Berkshire Brass

Throughout the afternoon, Alan Dean and Berkshire Brass will provide an authentic musical backdrop with period brass music from the mid nineteenth century, recreating the sounds that would have been familiar during the era in which the Laurel Hill Association was founded. Ben Nickley will offer perspectives on the Berkshires’ remarkable birdlife and the importance of bird conservation in our region.

Will Conklin, Executive Director of Greenagers

A lifelong resident of South County, Will Conklin attended Mount Everett High School, King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to his academic studies, he built a career in arboriculture and carpentry, gaining practical skills that continue to inform his work in conservation and community development.

Will, his wife Amelia, and their daughters, Vera and Penelope, are fourth generation stewards of Sky View Farm in Sheffield, where they raise grass fed beef. He is also a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small scale forest products business.

As the founding Executive Director of Greenagers, Will has helped create one of the Berkshires’ leading youth employment and environmental education organizations. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, Greenagers provides young people with opportunities for volunteer service, hands on job training, environmental stewardship, and leadership development. Greenagers also owns and stewards the 100 acre April Hill Conservation and Education Center in South Egremont.

Will has served as president of the Berkshire County Farm Bureau and as a member of the Upper Housatonic Valley Heritage Area Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the Sheffield Finance Committee.

Afterward, join us for complimentary refreshments and the opportunity to connect with neighbors and friends. We look forward to celebrating this special day with the community. This event is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1853, the Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is the oldest village improvement society in the United States. Our mission is to improve the quality of life and protect the natural beauty of Stockbridge. We maintain trails, parks, and conservation properties for public enjoyment, plant trees and flowers to enhance the town’s landscape, and work collaboratively with the Town of Stockbridge and other organizations to promote the welfare of the community.