Read the Friends Spring 2013 Newsletter here.
The Friends Annual Meeting and Dinner was May 1st. Congratulations to Volunteer of the Year Melissa Guimont
and thanks to our retiring founding board members- Jim Nelson, Evelyn Strawn, Sharl Heller, Thom Gifford and Bob Bentley, who had to step down because of the term limits in our bylaws We hope that some of them will rejoin us after a year off the board..
New directors Lorraine Ramsay,Al Amaral (equestrian) and John Welsh (cottage program) were elected. Officers for the coming year are President Rose Mellino, Vice President John Bescherer, Treasurer CJ Dunn and Secretary Glenn D'Entremont. Other returning directors are Bill Vickstrom, Richard Wall Jr., Irina Kadis and Melissa Guimont. Minor bylaws changes related to expense management and term limits were approved. (One change on transitions generated amendments from the floor and ended up being tabled.)
More photos about the Annual Meeting.
You have to have Friends- Changing of the Guard at Friends of Myles Standish State Forest.
Article by Frank Mand in the Old Colony Memorial (4/27/13)
Park Serve Day took place April 27th. Despite the rescheduling caused by the weather/terrorism we had about 35 people working to clear the trail and fix the pedestrian bridges on the East Head Reservoir Trail, cleanup and restain the amphitheater and sprucing up around the headquarters. See pictures
T-Shirt sale-- Friends of Myles Standish State Forest green t-shirts now $5 off.
Bluebird boxes went in on March 9th Last year, we were excited to watch many bluebirds return to the area and teams monitored their nests during the hatching season. It was great fun!
Visit the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Meetup.com group for full details and a complete listing of all our upcoming hikes, birding events and other activities.
Last Update 5/9/2013
Friends Membership Page- Join Us!
Pine Barrens Community Initiative
Four new osprey poles are in. Look up!
Please join or renew your Friends of Myles Standish State Forest membership and help protect and preserve the forest for all to enjoy. Download and mail the Membership Form or use the PayPal button below to join on line.
Dandelion along the Bentley Loop
Fishing fun at Fearing Pond
Healthy Heart Trail at East Head Reservoir
2012 Wildlands Trust Run for Conservation
Life in a vernal pool
Laura's Prince
PURCHASE A FRIENDS OF MYLES STANDISH STATE FOREST "REDISCOVER NATURE" T-SHIRT AND HELP SUPPORT THE FOREST
Shirts are forest green with "Rediscover Nature Myles Standish State Forest" on the front and the FMSSF logo on the sleeve.
Sale: Was $15, now $10 for small/medium/large and $12 for XL and XXL sizes if picked up; $2.50 extra for mailing (multiple shirts placed in same package to save shipping)
We probably have your size in stock.
Order through PayPal or contact friends@friendsmssf.com.
The Native Bird Support Group
Join Melissa in monitoring bird nesting boxes in MSSF!
Order a locally made, custom blue bird nesting box for your own yard and help support native birds.
The Native Bird Support Group held its first meeting in 2010 and began organizing a team to place and monitor bird nesting boxes in the MSSF. This spring, the boxes went in on March 9th and we are anxiously awaiting reports from our volunteers. The 2012 fledgling count was incredible with 94 tree swallows, 4 chickadees, 21 bluebirds! and 5 house wrens successfully launched. Melissa registered the Native Bird Support Group with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Nestwatch Program, a great program using citizen scientists for nationwide bird monitoring.
If you would like to join join us on a nest visit, contact the native bird support group birds@friendsmssf.com
Rose and CJ check out an egg mass from a potential Vernal Pool.
Vernal Pool Program
Join the FMSSF vernal pool program and help identify, certify, and monitor vernal pools in MSSF. For more photos of Vernal Pool Monitoring, visit the Friends of MSSF on Meetup.com
The FMSSF Pine Barrens Community Initiative Spotted Knapweed Eradication Project
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa Lam.) is a highly invasive weed which emits substances in the soil that hamper and disrupt growth of neighboring plants. This plant is known to produce nearly 30,000 seeds per square meter that can lay dormant and germinate years later when a disturbance, such as an off-road vehicle track, cuts open the soil. Not only do these weeds eliminate native flora, but also exacerbate erosion due to poor soil binding by their weak roots.
Thanks to Jim Baecker, DCR Regional Planner and FMSSF Board Member Irina Kadis, the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) recently approved a spotted knapweed Management Plan for MSSF allowing volunteers to help control this aggressive invasive plant. The infestation is already large in some areas, spreading further along the roadways.
Read about our recent program to apply spotted knapweed eating weevils to two test areas in Myles Standish State Forest.
MYLES STANDISH STATE FOREST: Friends fight invasive species with seed-eating bugs (not 100% accurate but you'll get the idea)
View the MSSF Spotted Knapweed Management Plan
Your help is essential. Please join the fight by contacting plants@friendsmssf.com
Photo courtesy of salicicola.com
Root weevils Cyphocleonus achates. Weevils donated by Weedbusters Biocontrol LLC to Friends of Myles Standish State Forest for the control of spotted knapweed. Photo courtesy of John Bescherer
Pine Barrens Community Initiative Update
Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Native Plants
Now AvailableThe Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Pine Barrens Community Initiative (PBCI) Committee has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Morrisons Home and Garden, Inc. to provide nursery stock propagated from seeds collected from local native plants. By purchasing these plants you are supporting conservation of the Myles Standish State Forest and the globally rare southeastern Massachusetts pine barrens. When your plants become established, you will provide food for native pollinators and wildlife right in your own backyard.
Morrison's Home and Garden
90 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-0970Our plants are propagated by volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the region's pine barrens. The cost of the planting materials is covered by the FMSSF, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, through the donations of FMSSF members. Please consider joining the FMSSF or donating to help the PBCI.
List of FMSSF native plants currently available for purchase at Morrison's Home and Garden
If you'd like to add lovely native plants to your home environment and help restore the natural flora of the endangered pine barrens [region], please contact us at please contact us at friends@friendsmssf.com.
Pine Barrens Community Initiative Home Page
Is it Native? Find out at the FMSSF Plant ID Page
Tall rattlesnake root (Prenanthes trifoliolata). Photo courtesy of salicicola.com
Why is Myles Standish State Forest closed to dirt bikes and ATVs?
Because MSSF is a nature Reserve! MSSF is at the heart of the second largest remaining tract of pine barrens in the world. Several species of plants and animals that are only found here. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. Please ride only where riding is legal. And if you see off-road vehicles in Myles Standish State Forest-- anywhere-- please report their location to the Environmental Police at (800) 632-8075.
List of legal OHV riding areas: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/orv.htm
Riding motorized recreational vehicles in MSSF is illegal. Please report all off-road vehicles in the forest and any other problems by calling the numbers below:
Emergency 911
Non-emergency:
Call the Myles Standish State Forest Headquarters first
(508) 866-2526Environmental Police
(800) 632-8075Park Watch 24/7 1-(866) PK-WATCH (866-759-2824)
Carver Police (508) 866-2000
Plymouth Police (508) 830-4218
New Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Law Now in Effect
Governor Patrick signed the new Off-Highway Vehicle Law. We now need a coordinated enforcement effort that includes a strong citizen component and inter agency cooperation!See an OHV in MSSF? Call MSSF Headquarters first at (508) 866-2526
Then call the Environmental Police (800) 632-8075
Thank you for your support!
Friends of Myles Standish State Forest P.O. Box 302, Carver, MA 02330 e-mail: friends@friendsmssf.com