SVHC Foundation Hires Senior Gifts Officer

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BENNINGTON, Vt. — The Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) Foundation has announced the appointment of Stephanie Bosley, MPA, as senior gifts officer.

Until recently, Bosley was the director of Community Partnerships at the Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) in Pittsfield, MA. In her new role, Bosley will support the SVHC Foundation in its mission to raise funds for SVHC. 

"Stephanie is a highly experienced professional with a proven track record of delivering results for the region’s most important causes," said SVHC’s Vice President for Corporate Development Leslie Keefe. "We are delighted she has joined our team, and her enthusiasm and expertise will have a very positive impact on our fundraising efforts to help us fulfill our mission of providing exceptional care to our community."

Bosley received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a master’s degree in public affairs from University of Massachusetts, Boston. In addition to her work at BCAC, she has also worked in member services for 1Berkshire in Pittsfield, MA; as a community manager for the American Cancer Society in Holyoke, MA; and as a community development specialist for the Town of Adams, MA.

She has volunteered on the board of directors for the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires and Hoosic River Revival and in leadership roles with Relay for Life of Northern Berkshire, the North Adams Steeple Cats, Berkshire Business Professional Women, and the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women. Bosley was a Berkshire Community College "Forty Under 40" honoree in 2019.

"As a person who has used services at SVHC, I was grateful to have access to award-winning care in our community, especially with the birth of my son," Bosley said. "That’s why I am so pleased to commit my professional efforts to the SVHC Foundation and the work they do to support access to quality care region wide."

Bosley lives in North Adams, MA, with her husband, son, and dog.

The SVHC Foundation has recently launched the public phase of the Vision 2020: A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign, which has raised nearly $24 million of its $25 million goal over the past 4 years. The project includes the renovation and expansion of the institution’s Emergency Department and the construction of an all-new regional Cancer Center.

The new Kendall Emergency Department and Hoyt-Hunter Regional Cancer Center will impact care for residents of southern Vermont, northern Berkshire County, and eastern New York. Those interested should visit svhealthcare.org/vision2020 for additional details.





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Protect Grassland Birds by Mowing Later

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Bobolinks, Savannah sparrows and eastern meadowlarks enrich our summers with their songs, but their populations continue to suffer long-term declines due to the loss in quantity and quality of their grassland habitat.

"These species continue to experience long-term population declines across the continent, and on Vermont's grasslands, especially in large fields and in open landscapes, there are opportunities to help," said Rosalind Renfrew, biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Landowners can make a difference by altering the times of year they mow fields.  Fish and Wildlife is encouraging landowners to help these beloved species by waiting to mow fields used by grassland birds, giving them a chance to rear their young.

"People maintain open, grassy fields in Vermont for a variety of reasons, from producing hay to providing pasture for grazing, to simply maintaining scenic beauty," said Renfrew, "For those who can afford it, the timing of mowing or brush hogging can be adjusted to allow grassland birds to successfully raise young."

Bobolinks, Savannah sparrows, eastern meadowlarks and wild turkeys build nests right on the ground, among the grasses and wildflowers.  Deer fawns and other animals take refuge in grass fields, and other birds such as bluebirds, kestrels, whip-poor-wills, and northern harriers rely on grass fields for food.

According to Renfrew, landowners who do not need to mow for animal forage can accommodate nesting birds by cutting late in the summer, preferably after Aug. 1.

People concerned about invasive plants may choose to sometimes mow a portion of their field more frequently, to keep invasive plants in check. 

"The birds don't like fields dominated by invasives such as parsnip, bedstraw, chervil, and others any more than we do," says Renfrew.  "Mowing earlier and more frequently to control and prevent those species from going to seed can mean temporarily sacrificing the needs of the birds," said Renfrew, "but when it helps maintain habitat quality over the long term, it's worth it."

Landowners who face a loss of income from delaying mowing can apply for assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service or The Bobolink Project.

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