Peter Pinciaro and Jim Freeborn were recently named Employees of the Year by The Trustees of Reservations for their team work at Crane Beach in Ipswich. 

“I couldn’t be more pleased to recognize Jim and Peter,” said Executive Director Andy Kendall speaking before an enthusiastic group of fellow employees and members. “Their teamwork truly embodies the spirit of everyone who works for The Trustees.  He is a leader who rises to meet new challenges.  He is a highly respected expert in his field who performs his job with grace, patience, and professionalism, even under pressure. Thanks to his work, and that of many dedicated volunteers, Appleton Farms continues on a course of renewal and growth as a wonderful resource for the community.” 

Peter Pinciaro joined The Trustees of Reservations as a volunteer at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in 1977.  For the next three summers he worked on the maintenance crew at Crane Beach and became a full-time employee in 1981.  Peter progressed rapidly up the employee ladder and by 1988 he had been promoted to Superintendent for Crane Beach, Castle Hill, the Crane Wildlife Refuge and five other reservations.

Over the years Peter developed superb people and management skills, and he and his staff of up to 70 employees during the summer months have become accustomed to managing – in a single typical day – up to 3,000 cars and 8,000 people at Crane Beach, a wedding at Castle Hill, clambakes at Steep Hill Beach, hay wagon tours on the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and an evening concert performance in the Castle Hill barn with skill, precision and, most important, a smile.

By the end of the season Crane Beach had set a new organizational record by recruiting 2,807 new members, 1,944 more than the year before.

Berkshire Conservationists Honored

Steffen Plehn was posthumously honored as Conservationist of the Year by The Trustees of Reservations, a statewide conservation organization. Sharing the award were his wife, Hattie, and his sister Antonia (Toni) Lake. The award recognizes their role in developing and guiding the Highland Communities Initiative (HCI), a five-year effort to preserve the landscape and cultural heritage of the Highlands region of Massachusetts.

“Words fail to convey our appreciation for the efforts of these three remarkable people,” said Trustees Executive Director Andy Kendall. “Through their vision, energy, and dedication, they have started a conservation legacy that will benefit communities across an entire region.”

Following a career with the Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency and as a consultant working on environmental projects in Russia and Eastern Europe, Steffen and Hattie retired to Worthington in 1996. While serving on the Board of Selectmen and the Board of the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, Steffen developed the idea of the Highland Communities Initiative to foster conservation in the region.

With the help of his wife Hattie and his sister Toni, Steffen won financial support from the Wyomissing Foundation in Pennsylvania to carry out the Initiative over a five-year period as a major project of The Trustees of Reservations.

Now in its second year, the Initiative has a full-time Director and Coordinator working out of The Trustees Northampton office. Hattie, Toni, and Susie, continue to guide the efforts of the HCI staff.

Hingham Conservationist Honored

Hingham resident Tom O’Donnell was honored as Volunteer of the Year by The Trustees of Reservations at their recent Annual Meeting. The award recognizes his long and very able service as The Trustees’ top land conservation volunteer over the past 35 years.

An advisor to Harvard University, a distinguished attorney at Ropes & Gray, and the Moderator of the Hingham Town Meeting, Tom serves as President of The Trustees affiliate, the Massachusetts Land Conservation Trust (MLCT), and as Chairman of the Trustees Land Conservation Committee.

“Words fail to convey our appreciation for Tom’s efforts,” said Trustees Executive Director Andy Kendall. “His vision, energy, and dedication have helped to make a lasting impact on the Massachusetts landscape.”

In 1968, Tom led a local campaign to enable The Trustees to acquire World’s End, 251 acres of land in Hingham Harbor that were threatened with development. His World’s End service was followed by 30 years on the Standing Committee and Advisory Council, 6 years on the Executive Committee, including 2 years as Chairman of The Trustees of Reservation.