NBUW's Spirit of Caring Awards Being Held in Person

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way is hosting the 4th annual Spirit of Caring Awards on Thursday, June 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 3 West Events in the Norad Mill. 

This will be the first time since 2019 that the event will be held in person. This event honors individuals for their service to Northern Berkshire United Way, its network and the overall Northern Berkshire Community.

Adams Community Bank is a platinum sponsor of the event and Greylock Federal Credit Union is the gold sponsor.  Silver sponsors are George Apkin & Sons, Specialty Minerals, Moresi & Associates and Wal-Mart.

Amy Giroux will be presented with the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award, named after the former Northern Berkshire United Way executive director. Giroux is a longtime volunteer in the community and a former board president of Northern Berkshire United Way. During her many years of work in the community, she has been an advocate for creating learning and recreational opportunities for children of all ages.

Stacy Parsons will be presented the Spirit of the Future Award. Stacy works out of North Adams Public Schools as the North Berkshire School Housing Partnership coordinator and state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education McKinney-Vento regional liaison. Her work focuses on supporting schools and community organizations in meeting the educational stability needs of highly mobile students. Parson works tirelessly on behalf of the community and served as the volunteer coordinator at the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in North Adams during the pandemic.

Alex Daugherty will be presented the Spirit of the Community Award. Daugherty is a longtime adult probation officer through Northern Berkshire District Court who has given back to his community in so many ways through his volunteer service. At the core of his volunteerism is youth development and support for individuals who have overcome challenges and are trying to make a fresh start

Adams Community Bank will be recognized as NBUW's Campaign of the Year for the generous employee and corporate support.

NBUW supports 19 member agencies that provide health, education and financial stability programs in our service area.  We are committed to providing funding in the area of safety-net services.

For more information, email Patti Messina at pmessina@nbunitedway.org or call the office at 413-663-9062. Tickets can be purchased here.  

North Adams Residents Seek Answers on Forest Management Plan

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:46AM / Saturday, September 14, 2024

Andre Strongbearheart speaks at Thursday's meeting about conservation and land stewardship. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Officials say the forest management plan for the Notch Reservoir watershed will improve the forest's resiliency.

 

But residents continue to be concerned about erosion, water quality and logging, and the effects on wildlife and the popular Bellows Pipe Trail. 

 

The plan includes selective and salvage harvests because of infestations of the emerald ash borer, patch cuts on the red pine plantations, and enrichment plantings of resilient species. The project aims to reinvest income into the forest and watershed, with a focus on best management practices in collaboration with Mass Audubon and the state and federal forestry services.

 

The initiative is part of Mass Audubon's Forest Climate Resilience Program in conjunction with the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts, of which the city is a member. Two demonstration forests in the partnership are eligible for three-year U.S. Forestry Service grants. 

 

It will focus on 70 acres of the more than 1,000-acre woodland to the west and north of the reservoir off Pattison Road. The management plan has been approved by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation but further permitting will be required from the Conservation Commission, for the cutting operation and for endangered species clearance. 

 

"It's an opportunity to harvest trees, open up the understory and replace them with resilient species, part of the climate change initiative here," said Gary Gouldrup, vice president of New England Forestry Consultants.

 

"So the whole purpose is to go above and beyond the typical forest management practices that have been done in the past."