Aligning for Impact

May. 06, 2025

Bristol Myers Squibb Volunteers Boost Land Stewardship Field Day at Prouty Woods | Writing by Marketing Manager David Ayers

Tinsley Hunsdorfer

In October, an enthusiastic team of 15 volunteers from Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) joined NEFF staff at Prouty Woods Community Forest in Littleton, Massachusetts, for a day of trail work and land stewardship. At BMS, employees volunteer their time and expertise with the goal of helping improve the quality of life in the communities where they live and work.

“Through the Community Outreach group, the company is able to impact the communities where we live, work, and serve in a positive manner,” said Victoria Carrabino, a Compliance Specialist and a key organizer of the event from BMS’s Community Outreach group. “When I was told about NEFF, I instantly thought it would be a great opportunity.”

Bristol Myers Squibb joined NEFF staff at Prouty Woods to help install signs | Pic by Tinsley Hunsdorfer

The event drew so much interest from BMS that it quickly filled, with a waitlist of 15–20 eager participants. Many of the participants, including Carrabino, are members of an unaffiliated outdoors club, which helped organize the event.

Volunteers tackled tasks including invasive plant removal, trail clearing, and installing a new property sign. Chris McNeal, a founding member of the offsite outdoors club and BMS volunteer, valued the hands-on experience and NEFF’s approach.

“As frequent outdoor users, it was inspiring to see how NEFF balances priorities between logging, recreation, and stewardship,” McNeal reflected. “It was rewarding to contribute to such a well-loved space.”

Bristol Myers Squibb joined NEFF staff at Prouty Woods to help install signs | Pic by Tinsley Hunsdorfer

NEFF is incredibly grateful for the hard work of the BMS volunteers. Their commitment to giving back is a powerful example of how corporate-community partnerships help fulfill our mission to protect and sustain New England’s forests.

“The BMS crew came prepared to pitch in and help,” said Beth Gula, NEFF Stewardship Manager. “They provided a huge boost in a short afternoon.”

Support from companies like BMS is essential to NEFF’s land stewardship goals, helping us protect healthy forests, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change.

NEFF’s Corporate Partners Program offers companies multiple ways to engage in forest stewardship and meet ESG goals. Through this program, we welcome various levels of involvement and gifts-in-kind to support sustainable forestry. Matching gifts is another way sustainably minded organizations can double their impact.

“With partners like BMS, we can protect New England’s forests on a greater scale,” said Kerry Castorano, NEFF Chief Development Officer. “Companies that share NEFF’s commitment to sustainability play a vital role in building a healthier, more resilient future.”