Principles of the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network

Join Friends Network

Links to Networking Friends

Volunteer

Massachusetts forests in need of friends

Critical issues regarding forests and parklands in Massachusetts

Historic Resources in Friends Groups Forests and Parks

Campaign to stop illegal off-road vehicles from destroying our forests

Report from the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network Meeting at Union Station on October 25, 2008

Workshop Reports from the Partners in Parks Conference, June 2007

Photo: Mike Ryan

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks—John Muir

Welcome to Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network! Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network is an independent grassroots organization of volunteer "friends groups" working together to better protect and enhance Massachusetts’ state forests and urban parks. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) oversees 259 properties in Massachusetts. Currently only about 34 friends groups serve particular forests and parks. Our goal is to see a strong friends group in every forest and park in the Commonwealth. If you do not belong to a friends group, consider joining one or starting one. We are here to help! If you do belong to a friends group, please join us. We need your expertise to help guide new friends groups. If you are a friend to a non DCR property, you can still join us as a "Friend of the Friends Network". To learn more contact Friends Network by clicking here.

Forum on the Forests of Massachusetts – Forest Futures Visioning Process On May 18, 2009, DCR hosted a forum for the people serving on the Forest Futures Visioning Process (FFVP) Committees (the Technical Steering Committee (TSC) and the Advisory Group of Stakeholders (AGS)), the general public and DCR Staff. All five representatives of the Friends Groups/Citizen Stewards on the Advisory Group of Stakeholders attended the forum. Read Mike Ryan's notes taken during the forum. Mike is one of the Friends Groups/Citizen Stewards serving on the AGS. For more information about the FFVP process, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/forestryfvp.htm. Do you care about forests in the Commonwealth? Help establish guidelines for managing forests now and into the future. Keep informed on the progress of the DCR Forest Futures Visioning Process. Wildlands and Woodlands: A Vision for the Forests of Massachusetts DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan's Blog.

ACTION ALERT: comment on wind siting legislation Please help assure that citizens will have a strong voice in determining where wind turbines can be placed on state land. The state has identified 631 potential turbine sites on DCR properties. Our concern is not about the placement of wind turbines on state lands, but rather, how and by whom placement of turbines will be decided. As people who appreciate and care about DCR lands, we feel it is extremely important that wind turbine siting is done with full participation of the public. We do not want a special commission to decide for us! If you agree, please send your comments to the appropriate person, as directed in the excerpted alert from the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Comments must be received before July 1, 2009. ALERT! - Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions - ALERT! Legislation has been filed to streamline permitting for wind power projects. MACC supports provisions of the proposed wind siting legislation that would add these needed protections. It opposes provisions that remove or weaken existing local regulations and permitting authorities, and provisions making it more difficult or impossible for citizens to appeal permits. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs recently issued a report citing potential development of up to 947 MW of wind power on conservation lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. MACC opposes any weakening of protections for Article 97 conservation lands. TAKE ACTION: Comments on the proposed legislation SB. 1504 and HB. 3065, An Act Relative to Comprehensive Wind Siting Reform can be submitted to the Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy: The Honorable Michael W. Morrissey - Michael.W.Morrissey@state.ma.us Room 413D State House Boston, MA 02133 The Honorable Barry R. Finegold Room 473B State House Boston, MA 02133 Comments on wind siting on state land should be directed to: Commissioner Philip Giudice - Phil.Guidice@state.ma.us Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources 100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020 Boston, MA 02114 Commissioner Rick Sullivan - Rick.Sullivan@state.ma.us Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600 Boston, MA 02114-2104 NOTE: If you do not have time to write a letter, you will find a petition and more information about the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act (H.B. 3065, S.B. 1504) here: www.greenberkshires.org Here is the letter sent by the Friends Network Facilitators to Senator Michael W. Morrissey regarding the Wind Siting Reform Act.

Help end illegal use of off-road vehicles on conservation land. Support Legislation: House Bill No. 3330 On January 14, 2009, State Representative Frank L. Smizik submitted to the Legislature a very comprehensive bill relative to off-highway vehicles. Visit the Friends Network ORV page. This bill is based on the Department of Conservation and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Enforcement Working Group Recommendations. The group was convened to address regulation and enforcement issues surrounding off highway vehicles. Members represented a cross section of interested parties, including: friends groups, industry representatives, OHV user groups, environmental groups, law enforcement, Fish and Wildlife, Department of Transportation, Environmental Police and others. Learn more about the OHV Working Group here. In March 2008, the group issued its recommendations (view article). Take Action Illegal use of off highway vehicles (OHV) is damaging many conservation areas throughout Massachusetts. Click here to view the Friends Network OHV Initiative or visit "Campaign to stop illegal off-road vehicles" page and help put an end to illegal OHV activity. Please contact your local DCR Supervisor and/or the Environmental Police (800) 632-8075 to report all suspicious or illegal activity. In addition, please call Park Watch too. Park Watch Rangers will contact the appropriate agency AND they will record your call for future enforcement planning. Call Park Watch 24/7 to report all suspicious and illegal activity EVERY TIME you see or hear it happening: (866) PK-WATCH. Please visit the Critical Issues page for a list issues affecting forests and parks in MA. Click here. You are invited to join the Yahoo Group Parks Forests Friends, where friends groups discuss issues affecting forests and parklands statewide. View Friends Network Newsletter March 29, 2009 View Friends Network Newsletter February 10, 2009