March 3, 2011
In This Issue
- New—Join the Vernal Pool Program
- Homes for the birds!
- International Year of the Forests - 2011
- 1st Sunday in March Hike
- 3rd Annual FMSSF Photo Contest
- DCR Draft Volunteer Policy Comments Due 3/31/2011
1st Sunday Hike March 6, 10 AMTake a hike around Fearing and Charge Ponds with Friends.
Meet at the Charge Pond Road Gate by
10 AM. John Murray will lead the hike.
For more details about the hike and up-to-the-minute updates on all Friends of MSSF activities, visit the Friends of MSSF's Meetup Group.
Friends of MSSF Hiking and Birding Meetup Group
International Year of the Forests - 2011
Why should you care about forests?
View:
Of Forests and Men
Link to video
Cameras at the ready—Save those pictures!
 The 3rd Annual Friends of MSSF photo contest is on.You may enter any photo taken in MSSF between August 30, 2010 and August 1, 2011. Look for more details in upcoming newsletters. The contest will close August 1, Midnight. Think you have a chance?
View the 2009 and 2010 photo entries here.
SAVE THE DATE
Glenn d'Entremont promises to lead the ever-popular evening Woodcock Walk, Saturday, March 26.
We are working out the details, so please check the Meetup site for updates.
Link to Friends of MSSF Meetup.com
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Hello Sharl,
Spring is on the way! As the weather warms and the days grow longer, I hope you'll take some time to enjoy the Myles Standish State Forest. We are fortunate to the state's largest Forest Reserve so close to home. If you value the forest as we do, perhaps you'll join one of our dedicated volunteer groups in caring for this wonderful place. Groups to choose from include The Friends of MSSF:
- Native Bird Support Group
- Native Plant Propagation Team
- Trails Enhancement Committee
- Equestrians
- Pine Barrens Community Initiative
- New Vernal Pool Program
The forest needs our help, and working together is fun and rewarding. Contact us to find out how to join the group that interests you.
Thanks!
Sharl Heller, President
friends@friendsmssf.com
Get Ready To Find Salamanders and Frogs
Join the MSSF New Vernal Pool Program
Vernal Pool Certification Training
Sunday, March 13, 10:00 AM
MSSF Headquarters' Conference Building
Co-Chairs John Young and Evelyn Strawn will direct the group as we learn how to identify, certify and monitor the vernal pools of Myles Standish State Forest.  Professor Jonathan Twining, a Biologist from Eastern Nazarene College, will guide the Program, starting the group off with an indoor training session and a trip to a vernal pool.
We hear there may be upwards of 90 vernal pools in MSSF! Knowing where they are, what animals live in them, and monitoring them from year to year will provide valuable information for better protection of the forest. If you like slimy critters, enjoy learning, and don't mind getting a little muddy, this group is for you.
John says, "You do not need waders. There is plenty of non-wader work and we will need plenty of help."
For answers to your questions, contact John and Evelyn at vernalpools@friendsmssf.comPhoto by Ron Hunter
Help End the Bird Housing Crisis
 Melissa Guimont will lead the FMSSF Native Bird Support Group in installing and monitoring 30 Eastern bluebird nesting boxes in the MSSF Wildlife Management Area.
If you'd like to help set up the nesting boxes, meet Melissa at the MSSF headquarters' picnic tables 10:00 AM, Sunday, March 20.
We will carpool to Cutter Field Road and a few other prime real estate spots! Only 15 helpers are needed to set up the boxes. Melissa says, "Bring a Phillips-head screwdriver if you have one available. If not, don't worry, we will have some."
Monitoring will continue through the summer. To sign up for the nest box installation work party, or to become a bird-family monitor, please e-mail Melissa at birds@friendsmssf.com
Photo by Julie Outericky
DCR Draft Volunteer Policy Comments Due March 31, 2011
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has prepared the draft policy, Managing Volunteers on DCR Property. The Policy is intended to facilitate safe and effective citizen stewardship on lands managed by the state. If you volunteer on behalf of state lands, please take a few minutes to comment on the draft.
Link to Commissioner Lambert's Letter/Draft Volunteer Policy
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