About Friends of Myles Standish State Forest (FMSSF)

FMSSF was formed by people who love Myles Standish State Forest and want to see it continue to provide recreation for a wide variety of recreational activities, but also want to see its natural beauty preserved and the creatures who live there protected. 

We are now a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization of volunteers. Every contribution and membership fee goes toward helping the forest. We are proud of our accomplishments and of the way we have always been supported by the great staff at MSSF. We invite all who value the forest to join us.

  Friends enjoying a little excercise while doing something worthwhile.

FMSSF Volunteers:

• support DCR staff
• conduct work parties
• host fun and informative events
• help monitor & maintain trails
• foster understanding of the unique and endangered pine barrens ecoregion
• have a really good time doing something positive for the local environment and the world.

The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will present the Forest Futures Visioning Process (FFVP) Report—recommendations that will guide forest management in forests and parklands for many years to come. Your input is very important to Myles Standish State Forest and to every forest in the Commonwealth. DCR will collect input from the public at the forestry meeting in Taunton:

Find out what forest advocates are saying about the FFVP: Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network

View DCR's website about the FFVP 

Prescott Peninsula –Quabbin Reservoir Aerial View, January 27, 2010.

New forestry policy— 5-acre clear-cutting limits. Is this what you want MSSF to look like? 

The FMSSF Pine Barrens Community Initiative (PBCI) Committee met on January 25, 2010, where a unanimous decision began the initiative. PBCI is a two-fold effort to promote the globally rare and endangered pine barrens of SE Massachusetts located in the Plymouth/Carver/Wareham area. First, the initiative strives to protect, restore and maintain the Myles Standish State Forest as a viable ecosystem. Second, the initiative seeks to engage the community in a regional effort to support pine barrens by encouraging property owners to foster indigenous plants and protect remaining pine barren areas.

The FMSSF has already reached out to other organizations in an effort to form the various partnerships needed to carry out this important mission, including: A. D. Makepeace, Inc.; DCR staff and DCR foresters; and The Nature Conservancy-Plymouth Pinelands. To find out more, or to become a part of this exciting intitiative email Sharl Heller at slheller@comcast.net.