Dear Friend,
OHV Enforcement: You Do Make A Difference!
Ever wonder if networking makes a difference? Friends groups worked together to offer solutions for enforcement against the illegal use of off-highway vehicles (OHV's) through the Department of Conservation and Recreation OHV Enforcement Working Group in 2008. Now the new OHV law requires the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish an OHV Advisory Committee (OHVAC), "1 of whom shall be a member of a friends group of the Massachusetts Forest and Parks Network."
Being named in legislation is a huge accomplishment for a group that is barely 3-years old. Networking friends groups is effective! Thank you to everyone who made this happen. Read the law and enjoy! (See Section 4)
AN ACT REGULATING THE USE OF OFF-HIGHWAY AND RECREATION VEHICLES
Toot Your Horn! Think You’ve Got What It Takes To Represent The Friends Network On The Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee (OHVAC)?
If you’d like to be considered for the position of Friends Group Representative to the OHVAC, review the link to the "Act" in the previous article and Management Plan (below), then send a statement of interest with a one page bio to the Friends Network Facilitators.
We’ll compile a list of candidates and set up a survey vote. Once elected our representative’s name will be submitted to the Council the Friends Network Facilitators.
SAVE THE DATE: Friends Network Gathering at ENTS Conference, October 14—16, 2010
Friends Network members are specially invited to attend the Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS) 6th Conference in the Forest Summit Lecture Series October 14-15 at Holyoke Community College, and October 16 at Mowhawk Trail State Forest. You are welcome to attend part or all of the Conference. The Conference is still in the planning stage. More details and the agenda will come soon, so please SAVE THE DATE.
As co sponsors of the ENTS Conference, Friends Network Facilitators are asking Friends groups to please attend the ENTS Conference in place of our annual meeting. Everyone, particularly Friends groups members actively involved in the stewardship of public lands, who cares about the environment and the future of public lands will find the Conference extremely valuable.
The primary focus of the ENTS Conference:
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The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Forest Futures Visioning Process (FFVP) and how well it is working (Note: DCR is now implementing policy resulting from the FFVP which effects ALL forests and parklands)
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Harvard Forest's Wildlands and Woodlands as a vision worthy of serious pursuit in Massachusetts
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Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification of timber in Massachusetts
Friends Network Facilitators will address four topics of particular interest to Friends groups:
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Lost in the Process—Why Forest Advocates Continue To Press For 80% of State Lands Protected in Reserves
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What Are Resource Management Plans and How Can Friends Groups Promote Effective Planning For DCR Parks and Forests?"
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Volunteers’ Role In Parklands Protection
We'd like to hook up Friends groups members during the breaks for networking and strategic planning. Let us know if you're coming.
Friends Network Facilitators will be on hand to distribute your group's information at the Friends' Booth. We have brochures for several groups already. Send us an email and we’ll let you know if we have your group covered. You may mail any materials you'd like distributed to: Friends Network, P. O. Box 1199, Plymouth, MA 02362.
Show ENTS how proud you are of your group. Send pictures of your group's events and projects to friend@networkingfriends.net
Meeting Set To Define Citizens' Recommendations For An Off-Highway Vehicle Management Plan
Insufficient enforcement has allowed illegal and inappropriate OHV use to grow unchecked. We all know the problems. We are looking for solutions.
To help find solutions, Friends Network Facilitators have invited state and local enforcement agencies to meet with Friends groups representatives on October 24 at the Upton Police Station, Upton, MA.
We'll ask officials for their ideas for better enforcement and share the ideas sent to us by you, Friends groups members. We'll look for ways to partner with enforcement officials and advocate for a comprehensive management plan that includes a strong citizen component in the areas of education, outreach, planning and reporting.
The meeting is limited to 20 people. Minutes from the meeting will be distributed electronically and published on the Friends Network web site. Future meetings may be held until an effective OHV management policy includes citizen participation.
Officials receiving invitations to the meeting include: DCR Directors, DCR Managers, Environmental Police, Bureau of Ranger Services, and local police.
Friends groups representatives were selected from among citizens currently working with state agencies on issues related to illegal OHV trespass and represent equestrians, private land owners, mountain bikers, hikers and environmentalists.
We are seeking a representative from the OHV community who understands our concerns and is willing to help us find solutions that work. Please send a statement of interest to friend@networkingfriends.net.
How To Calculate The Value Of What Friends Groups Do
Has your Board ever discussed how to calculate the value of volunteers who help clear trails, create community events or offer expert advice? Whether or not you are a 501(c)(3) you should be following the Federal guidelines for tracking in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours, donated goods and services, cost avoidance (the $ value the State would have spent if a government agency did the same work), and the assistance you are given by government employees on the time-clock.
Not only is value-tracking a great way to illustrate the contributions of your Friends group to the community, attaching a dollar amount to our accomplishments is important when seeking grants and for showing our partners just how far their support of Friends groups goes!
Check Out Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
View KAB COST/BENEFIT GUIDELINES
Deadline Approaching: Submit Proposals By November 1, 2010 for the 2011 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant
The 2011 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant Round is now OPEN! The application deadline is November 1, 2010.
DCR is holding Recreational Trails Program grant workshops for potential applicants. Send an email to Amanda Lewis, Recreational Trails Program Coordinator, to get on the Greenways and Trails List-serv and receive updates about the program or to let her know you're coming to the workshop.
Recreational Trails Program Grant Workshops:
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Friday, September 17, 2-4 PM, Purgatory Chasm State Park (Sutton)
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Sat., September 18, 10-12 PM, Great Falls Discovery Center (Turner’s Falls)
Visit the Recreational Trails Program web site for grant guidelines, applications, and guidelines
Friends Groups—Understand Your Local Conservation Commission
At the local level, the Conservation Commission administers the Wetlands Protection Act. Your local Conservation Commission must be notified if a “person” (meaning: "any individual, group of individuals, association, partnership, corporation, company, business organization, trust, estate, the commonwealth or political subdivision thereof, administrative agency, public or quasi-public corporation or body, or any other legal entity or its legal representatives, agents or assigns") plans to remove, fill, dredge or alter a wetland in the Commonwealth; including lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Mass Wildlife. “Freshwater Wetlands” includes surface water providing supporting substrate for a plant community for at least five months of the year.
Conducting work parties in an area deemed a wetland can have serious consequences if you neglect to obtain the permission of the Conservation Commission. This applies to activities such as trail work, invasive plant removal, or restoration projects. If your work takes you within 100 feet of a wetland resource area make sure your DCR partner has filed a "Request for Determination".
Many Friends groups include Conservation Commissioners on their boards. If you don’t have such a person on your board, consider establishing a relationship with a local Conservation Commission member.
For more information:
The Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40
Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts, MA Department of Environmental Protection
Visit Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
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IN THIS ISSUE:
QUICK LINKS
Brush Fires Set In Middlesex Fells
New: MA Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Advisory Board web site and video.
Visit MWRA Advisory Board
MOHAWK TRAIL STATE FOREST TOURS
Mohawk Trail State Forest is home to the tallest trees in New England. No other public property in our region has so many champions of height which included the 170.1 foot-tall Chief Jake Swamp white pine. Join Bob Leverett co-founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS) and co-founder and President of Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest (FMTSF) for one of his wonderful tours:
Sept. 18: Walk the Old Mohawk Trail
Oct. 9: Big Tree Walk
IS YOUR FAVORITE FOREST OR PARK ON THE LIST?
By our count, 91 DCR properties made it onto the MA 1,000 GREAT PLACES LIST, but we know they're all great!
Thank you to our DCR Friends who helped us find them all (we hope): Amy Wilmot, Regional Interpretive Coordinator, SE Region; Jessica Rowcroft, Preservation Planner; Alec Gillman, Visitors Services Supervisor, West Region Interpretive Coordinator.
Our best list
Abington, Ames Nowell State Park
Adams, Mount Greylock State Reservation
Agawam, Robinson State Park
Ashburnham, Mount Watatic
Ashby Trap Falls in Willard Brook SF
Ashland Ashland State Park
Ayer Nashua River Rail Trail
Belchertown The Quabbin Reservoir Visitor Center
Berkley Dighton Rock State Park
Berkshires Appalachian Trail
Berkshires Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway (Mohawk Trail State Forest, Savoy Mt. State Forest, Great Falls Discovery Center, Erving State Forest)
Berkshires The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Blackstone Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park
Bourne Scusset Beach State Reservation
Boxford Boxford State Forest
Brewster Cape Cod Rail Trail
Brewster Nickerson State Park
Cambridge Alewife Reservation
Carlisle Great Brook Farm State Park
Charlemont Mohawk Trail State Forest
Concord Walden Pond
Dalton Wahconah Falls SP
Dartmouth Demarest Lloyd Memorial State Park
Douglas Douglas State Forest
Easthampton Mt Tom SP
Easton Borderland State Park
Everett Mystic River Reservation
Fall River Fall River Heritage SP
Fall River Bio-reserve
Framingham Callahan SP
Freetown Freetown-Fall River SF
Gardner Gardner Heritage State Park
Georgetown Georgetown-Rowley SF
Hadley Mt. Sugarloaf
Hingham Wompatuck SP
Hopkinton Hopkinton SP
Hull Nantasket Beach
Ipswich Willowdale SF
Lee October Mt. State Park,
Lynn Lynn Heritage State Park
Mashpee South Cape Beach
Mashpee Waquoit Bay
Medford Middlesex Fells Reservation,
Montague The Great Falls Discovery Center
Monterey Beartown SF
Mount Washington Bash Bish Falls
Mount Washington Mount Everett State Reservation
Nahant Beach Boulevard & Park
Needham Hemlock Gorge
Needham Schooner Ernestina
New Marlborough Thousand Acre (Swamp) Pond, Cookson SF
New Marlborough Prescott Peninsula
New Marlborough Quabbin Reservoir
Newburyport Maudslay State Park
North Adams Natural Bridge SP
North Adams Western Gateway Heritage State Park
Northampton Norwottuck Bike Trail
Northbridge Lookout Rock
Otis Spectacle Ponds
Paxton Moore State Park
Plymouth Ellisville Harbor State Park
Plymouth Myles Standish State Forest
Plymouth Plymouth Rock
Princeton Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Quincy Quincy Quarries Reservation
Rockport Halibut Point
Rutland Rutland State Forest
Salisbury Salisbury State Reservation
Sandisfield Sandisfield State Forest
Savoy Tannery Falls, Savoy Mt. SF
Sheffield Mount Everett
Somerset Lake Wyola State Park
South Hadley Joseph Skinner SP
South HadleyThe Summit House at Skinner State Park
Spencer Spencer State Forest
Stoneham Middlesex Fells Reservation
Sturbridge Wells State Park
Sutton Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
Taunton Watson Pond State Park
Topsfield Bradley Palmer State Park
Topsfield Cleaveland Farms SF
Truro Cape Cod Rail Trails
Upton Upton State Forest
Uxbridge Riverbend State Park
Wakefield Breakheat Reservation
Warwick Mount Grace State Forest
Wendell Wendell State Park
West Springfield Eastern States Exposition (DCR display area)
Westfield Crane Pond Dam on Little River
Westminster Crow Hill, Leominster State Forest
Westport Horseneck Beach
Windsor Windsor Jambs
Note: Full list of scenic byways that currently exist in MA
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