Dear Friend,
Can you believe it? The Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network is entering its fifth year! We've come a long way as a grassroots organization because we are united by the same goals—we want what's best for our forests and parks and we're willing to volunteer to make it happen!
Since we first began networking in 2007, we've seen how effective it is when volunteers work together on statewide issues that affect local parks. Join your friends at the 4th Annual Friends Network Conference and help keep Massachusetts Friends groups and volunteers strong and connected.
Please let us know if you are planning on coming, and contact us if you have any questions at friend@networkingfriends.net
Looking forward to seeing you at the Conference!
The Friends Network Facilitators
More about the Conference:
This year's conference will focus on strengthening the ties between Friends groups, and between volunteers of all types and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The Keynote Speaker will be DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert, speaking to the theme: Common Goals Strong Partnerships. Groups that pre-register will have an opportunity to introduce your group to the Commissioner and share the work you do that benefits your special forest or park.
The afternoon session will feature Robert T. Leverett, Eastern Native Tree Society Cofounder and Executive Director, Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest Cofounder and President, and old growth forest researcher. Robert's topic: Improving the Quality of our State Parks on a Shoestring Budget.
We'd like to see every Friends group in Massachusetts represented at the Conference. Your group may submit photos of volunteers in action for inclusion in a slide show presentation. All groups (you don't have to be in a Friends group to be part of the action) will have room to display materials.
The Conference is open to the public. Participants will be asked to pay $3.00 to help cover morning coffee and materials. A catered lunch is $8.00, available only to those who reserve by October 17. You may bring your own lunch. Parking is $2.00 for the first hour/$1.00 for every hour after at the Union Station Garage. Register early. Space is limited to 50.
Many thanks to our friends, Lawrence Adams and Trish Settles, at CMRPC for hosting the Conference. It's a wonderful place to hold an event and we couldn't do it without them!
The Friends Network to recognize a DCR 'Friend' of the Year!
—Award nominations due by October 1, 2011
This year the Friends Network will honor a Department of Conservation and Recreation person who has shown exemplary efforts on behalf of forests, parks or Friends groups. Any DCR employee is eligible for this award.
Please submit a written narrative describing any combination of excellence in the following areas:
Nominations close October 16. A list of nominees will be sent out through the Network for votes. Winners as well as nominees will be recognized at the Friends Network Conference on October 22. Send submissions to friend@networkingfriends.net. Thank you!
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