Dear Friend,
What better way to get into the spirit of the holidays than to take a walk in a wintry forest? Those of us who live near the Myles Standish State Forest (MSSF) are fortunate to have that opportunity every day. Whether we choose to push away from the computer or turn off the television and head outdoors, we know a wonderful forest is only a few minutes away.
But can we be sure the forest will always remain as it is today?
 |
DCR Interpreter Amy Wilmot explains what defines a 'frost pocket' during the Dec. 4, 2011 Forest at Risk tour. |
On Sunday, December 4, Amy Wilmot, Southeast Regional Interpretive Coordinator for the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), led a hike in the MSSF called, Pine Barrens: A Forest at Risk. Those of us who went along were impressed with the work the DCR is doing to preserve the forest. However, with years of budget cuts, park and enforcement personnel layoffs, continued development, and abuse by people who do whatever they please without regard for the fragility of the pine barrens, the forest is in decline.
Since 2007, FMSSF has been working to reverse this trend. Your membership, donations and the time you spend volunteering in the forest is helping slow down the decline. But the truth is, we need to do more.
How you can help
The Commonwealth invests less than a penny on the dollar for environmental programs. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is in the process of preparing the 2013 budget for DCR. You can advocate for MSSF and all state parks by asking Secretary Sullivan to restore environmental funding to at least 1% of the operating budget.
The deadline for written comments is December 22. The link below provides more information about the budget hearings and an address for mailing comments. Or you can send an e-mail to Secretary Sullivan at
env.internet@state.ma.us. Thank you for speaking up.
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday,
Sharl Heller, FMSSF President
FY13 EEA Budget Hearings
Myles Standish State Forest conservation strategies detailed during forest hike, by Frank Mand, Old Colony Memorial, Dec. 9, 2011 (Feature article about the Forest at Risk tour)
An Impromptu Holiday Get-Together for Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Members, DCR Friends, and Guests!
Join Friends for an evening of holiday cheer, December 15, 6:30 PM at the Pinehills Golf Club East Bay Grille, Plymouth.
Please visit the
FMSSF Hiking and Birding Meetup Group for details. If you want to attend but don't want to RSVP using the Meetup site, send Sharl an
e-mail and she will RSVP for you. The party is limited to 50.
DCR Completes the MSSF Resource Management Plan (RMP)
It's approved! We'd like to thank Jim Baecker, Project Manager, DCR Office of Regional Planning for welcoming the involvement of the FMSSF in the RMP process for MSSF. The RMP provides a plan that will guide park staff in their efforts to balance the increasing demand for recreational opportunities with the need to protect the natural resources of a globally rare pine barrens habitat. With over 600,000 visitors yearly, the potential to adversely impact the 41 known state-listed rare or endangered species is very high.
We applaud the DCR for recognizing the importance of completing a RMP for Myles Standish State Forest. Thank you to the DCR personnel and all who contributed to the MSSF RMP process.
View the MSSF RMP
(The RMP is being reformatted by DCR for posting online but this version is the final draft that was approved by the Stewardship Council on December 2, 2011)
Attention Hikers—It's Hunting Season!
Shotgun season has ended but hunters can use primitive firearms to shoot deer until December 31. Other types of hunting happen throughout the year. Be safe when you hike or bike in the forest. Wear bright colors—avoid white clothing (to a hunter white looks like a deer's tail), make noise, and keep your dogs close. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. If you only wear earth-tone clothes, please hike on Sundays!
You can find out what is being hunted and when
here.
Myles Standish State Forest is in Zone 11. When no zones are listed, assume that all zones are included.
For more information about hunting in Massachusetts visit the
Mass Wildlife Website
There's still time to order FMSSF T-shirts for holiday gifts!
"Rediscover Nature—Myles Standish State Forest" are available for mailing in time for the holidays until December 19.
Please go to friendsmssf.com for ordering information and size availability (near the bottom of the page).
Click here for the size chart
$15 if picked up, $17.50 for mailing (multiple shirts placed in same package to save shipping).
Shirts are high quality, 100% cotton, forest green with "Rediscover Nature—Myles Standish State Forest" on the front and the FMSSF logo on the sleeve. Sale of the T-shirts benefits the MSSF and allows the FMSSF to keep working!
 |
FMSSF T-shirts are worn by the best of people in the best of places...
100% of the proceeds from the sale of FMSSF T-shirts benefit the Myles Standish State Forest! |
