New England Public Media Names Senior Director of Development

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Tracy Trial
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With more than 20 years of experience working in public service in Western Massachusetts, Tracy Trial joins New England Public Media as senior director of development. 
 
She brings a high level of expertise in major gifts, planned giving, and strategic development to NEPM.
 
"The common thread through Tracy's career has been service," said NEPM President Matt Abramovitz. "Whether working as a fundraiser or a teacher, she has demonstrated a lifelong passion for making our community stronger. I am thrilled to have her bring her smarts, vision, and commitment to NEPM."
 
Trial is a collaborative-minded leader who has served in fundraising and community relations roles for a number of organizations. She comes to NEPM from United Way of Pioneer Valley, where she was senior director of development. Before that, she was director of community and donor relations at Goodwill Industries of Springfield and Hartford.
 
In addition to her extensive work in fundraising, her background also includes instructional and administrative positions in secondary and higher education through Holyoke Public Schools and Bay Path University, where she was director of experiential education. 
 
She has given back to the community through volunteer work at Girls Inc. of the Valley, Treehouse Foundation, and other organizations. 
 
A Western Massachusetts native, Trial attended Smith College, where she received a bachelor's degree in philosophy. She went on to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to earn a master's degree in education. She now lives in Wilbraham with her family and is an avid gardener and baker.
 
"NEPM has been a steady and dependable resource to me and my family for as long as I can remember," said Trial. "I am proud to join this team at such an important time for local media, and I'm eager to partner with supporters to ensure the continued vibrancy of this trusted organization."

Tags: NEPM,   public radio,   

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Pittsfield Celebrates Arbor Day at Taconic

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Peter Marchetti presented the framed original cover art for the day's program. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Generations of Taconic students will pass the tree planted on Arbor Day 2026 as they enter school. 

Pittsfield's decades-long annual celebration was held at a city school for the first time. Different vocational trades at Taconic High School worked together to plant the Amelanchier, or flowering serviceberry, mark it with a plaque, record the ceremony, create artwork for the program's cover, and feed guests. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said the students' participation reflects the spirit of Arbor Day perfectly: learning by doing, serving the community, and helping Pittsfield grow greener for generations to come.

"It's not unknown that trees help shade our homes, help clean our air and water, they support wildlife, and make our neighborhoods and public spaces more beautiful and resilient," he said. 

"And Arbor Day is our chance annually to honor that gift and to remember that when we plant something today, we are investing in the future of our green world."

The holiday was established 154 years ago by J. Sterling Morton and was first observed in Nebraska with the planting of more than a million trees.

CTE environmental science and technology teacher Morgan Lindemayer-Finck detailed the many skilled students who worked on the event: the sign commemorating this Arbor Day was made by the carpentry and advanced manufacturing program, specifically students Ronan MacDonald and Patrick Winn; the multimedia production program recorded the event, and the culinary department provided refreshments. 

The program's cover art was created by students Brigitte Quintana-Tenorio and Austin Sayers. The framed original was presented to Mayor Peter Marchetti. 

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