Friends of Myles Standish State Forest (FMSSF) is a volunteer group organized to promote and conserve the natural, cultural and historic resources of Myles Standish State Forest. We are dedicated to restoring and maintaining the forest and its trails for sustainable recreation, to educating ourselves and others about the forest, and to promoting a healthy habitat for native plants and wildlife. We encourage every citizen to enjoy the forest in a manor consistent with protecting and preserving this rare and endangered ecosystem. Please join friends of Myles Standish State Forest and help the forest we all love.

Site Updated June 23, 2009

Visit the new Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Hiking Meetup Group online at Meetup.com for details. These hikes are a lot of fun. Kids and friendly dogs are welcome. Come early to hook up and start on time. Hope to see you there! For a map of MSSF click here.

The FMSSF voted unanimously to adopt the DCR Park Watch Program! We will begin training volunteers for Park Watch. Check back soon for more information. Click here to be added to the FMSSF list for Park Watch training.

Membership renewals are due. Please continue your support of FMSSF. We've accomplished a lot in a year but we have a long way to go. Please click here to download the membership form.

UPCOMMING EVENTS

Family Fishing Clinics Fearing Pond from 9-10:30 am on the following Fridays: July 3, 17, 31 and August 14 Join DCR Park Interpreters, Friends of Myles Standish State Forest and Mass Fisheries and Wildlife for a hands-on fishing demonstration and instruction. This Fishing Clinic, for ages 6+, is open to the public and will be held on Friday, July 3rd from 9:00 - 10:30 AM at Fearing Pond day-use area in Myles Standish State Forest. Bring your fishing pole and bait -- or borrow one of ours. For this program, you do not need a fishing license, and if you're attending the fishing clinic, there's no fee for parking. As with all our programs, parents or guardians must accompany children. We offer and encourage the use of barbless hooks for personal safety and to reduce trauma to the fish. Please call MSSF Headquarters at 508-866-2526 with any questions. Start your Independence weekend off with us on Friday, July 3rd at 9:00 AM. Learn how to fish or improve your skills -- it's free and it's fun. Learn to fish now so you will be ready for FMSSF Community Fishing Day —"Take Me Fishin'!" Saturday, October 3.

Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Photo Contest You are invited to share your admiration for the Myles Standish State Forest by taking part in our amateur photography contest. Your photos may capture a memorable event, recreational scene, plant or animal seen in the forest, or a beautiful landscape. Historic photographs will be also accepted in a separate vintage category. You may submit either prints or electronic files, or, better yet, both, making as many entries as you wish. Please specify when and where in the forest each photo was taken, providing as much detail as you can. All photos must have been taken within the last five years, except for those in the vintage category. Each entry should be accompanied with information about the author: name, address, phone, email, and whether the author is under 16 (a separate age category). Entries must be submitted between April 1 and September 15, 2009 Please mail photographs to: Evelyn Strawn Friends of Myles Standish State Forest P.O. Box 1199 Plymouth, MA 02360 or send jpeg image to: friends@friendsmssf.com A competent, independent jury will choose winners. Photos will be displayed during the Annual Take Me Fishin' Festival at Fearing Pond on September 26, 2009. Winners photos will become part of a display for future showings. Winners will receive award certificates. By submitting your photograph, you are giving permission to FMSSF to keep a copy in our database and use it in the future for educational and recreational purposes.D DOWNLOAD PHOTO ENTRY FORMS HERE.

Great new hiking book by FMSSF Member Frank Werny! Frank is giving FMSSF members a discount + he will give $2 donation for each book sold when you mention FMSSF. See Frank's book on Amazon.com. If you like hiking, you will love this book. Buy directly from Frank and pay only $20, shipping included. Thanks Frank! To contact Frank click here. Mention Friends of Myles Standish for a discount.