Park Serve Day at Myles Standish State Forest—Saturday, April 24, 10 AM to 3 PM
Forest Headquarters Parking Lot

Join Friends to help forest staff create a new trail entrance to the East Head Reservoir Trail at the Forest Headquarters and more. Bring a lunch. Tools and light snacks provided. Please sign up to volunteer at the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) website.

Hosted in Carver by the Carver Conservation Commission and Friends of Myles Standish State Forest

Four expert panelists highlight aspects of the MSSF that will amaze!

See: Wonders of the Pine Barrens, March 31, 2009

John Galluzzo offers a birding training walk for anyone interested in learning how to bird watch. Skills learned on this walk would also be very useful for people wanting to participate in the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas Project For more information on BBA2, see Mass Audubon's BBA2 web site.

Myles Standish State Forest, A Critical Treasure
June 6, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Join the Southeast Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Friends of Myles Standish State Forest, and The Nature Conservancy in a celebration of the recreational and ecological resources of Myles Standish State Forest. There is a little bit of every thing, from hands on trail maintenance to a field trip and talk about forest management at Myles Standish.

The DCR’s new Healthy Heart Trail Initiative will help you get in better shape and there is a seven mile hike for those who want some strenuous exercise. We also have a shorter walk to discover some of the smaller yet fascinating plants found in this unique forest. Come experience why Myles Standish SF is a Critical Treasure of Massachusetts, and learn what is being done to maintain it for your enjoyment and for future generations. Find out how you can help.

Schedule of Events

9:30 Trails crew meets at headquarters parking lot then moves to parking lot #2
10:00-11:30 Amy Wilmot, Healthy Heart Trail (3 miles around the East Head Reservoir trail)
10:00 -2:00 Barbara Leland and Ellie MacPherson, long hike (7 miles including East head Reservoir loop and Bentley loop trails)
12:00-1:00 picnic lunch (bring a bag lunch or picnic basket)
1:00-3:00 Irina Kadis, Plants of Myles Standish SF
1:00-3:00 Forest Management field trip with Bob Bale (TNC) and Paul Gregory (DCR Forester)

The days activities;

Trails work with the SEM AMC trail crew

Join the Trails crew of the Southeast Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club for a morning of trails maintenance on the Bentley Loop Trail. There is work for all ages and skill levels. Please register with Lou Sikorsky (508-678-3984, hikinglou@charter.net) or Bill Ruel (508-838-3841, camperbill@yahoo.com).


Healthy Heart walk with Amy Wilmot

Join Amy Wilmot, DCR Interpretive Specialist on a 3 mile Healthy Heart walk around the East Head Reservoir. This is a DCR initiative to encourage people to use recreation as a way to maintain good health. The East Head Reservoir Trail has been designated as one of the Health Heart Trails in the DCR reservations. This is a family friendly walk and will take 11/2 to 2 hours. Meet at the Myles Standish State Forest headquarters parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Please bring water and wear long pants and sturdy shoes.
Hike the East Head Reservoir Trail and Bentley Loop
Join Barbara Leland and Ellie MacPherson on a ~7 mile hike through Myles Standish State Forest. This forest is one of the largest contiguous pitch pine/scrub oak communities north of Long Island. Meet at the headquarters parking lot at 10:00. Bring water, lunch, sturdy shoes or boots. There will be a brief talk about the critical treasures event prior to the hike.


Steal and Fire, forest management at Myles Standish State Forest with Paul Gregory and Bob Bale

Join DCR Forester Paul Gregory and Nature Conservancy Fire Manager Bob Bale for an up-close look at current pitch pine-scrub oak community management practices in Myles Standish State Forest. We'll visit a section of the forest that recently underwent a mechanical fuel reduction, and another location recently treated with prescribed fire. We'll discuss the natural history of the Plymouth Pine Barrens, and the benefits of mechanical and burning treatments to this globally rare plant community. Meet at the parking lot by Myles Standish State Forest headquarters on Cranberry Road. We will car pool to the first site on paved roads, but will need 4 wheel drive (with more ground clearance than a 4wd car) to travel on the rough & sand roads to the second site. Several 4wd vehicles will be available for those who do not have a suitable vehicle. Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot by the Myles Standish State Forest headquarters for this 2 hour field trip.


A Myles Standish Plant Sampler with Irina Kadis

A walk along the shores of the East Head Reservoir in Myles Standish is always a pleasure--and especially at this time of the year. You can make it even more rewarding if you recognize many different plants along the trail. Our walk will introduce you to native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants. Most are common in this unique park. Shrubs in the heath family (ericaceous) are going to be in the center of our attention, as we will be able to see a variety of those. Many will be in flower. We will make frequent stops in order to take a closer look at plants along the trail, learn how to recognize them, and practice telling one from another. Therefore, we are not planning on covering much distance, and this walk is not intended for those looking for a good exercise.
We will start at 1:00 p.m. at the headquarters parking lot. Plan for about 2 hours. Wear sturdy footwear and long pants. Don’t forget water and insect repellent to protect yourself from ticks.
You will be given a species list. If you really strive to learn your plants, a useful technique is taping a leaf from each shrub beside your notes, so you might want to have a roll of Scotch tape and a notebook.

Directions; from rt. 495 take exit 2, go north on Tremont St. To S. Carver, take a right on Cranberry Rd. Follow signs to the headquarters.

Meet at the parking area at the headquarters/interpretive center at the intersection of Lower College Pond & Fearing Pond Roads in the Carver (southwest) part of the forest. A serene way to end the day with Prairie Warblers and Hermit Thrushes reluctantly giving way to Whip-poor-wills and, perhaps, Northern Saw-whet Owls.

Call Glenn d'Entremont for more information 781-344-5857

Breeding Bird Atlas 2 Coordinator John Galluzzo to speak at FMSSF Annual Meeting

The Friends of Myles Standish State Forest are delighted to host John Galluzzo, the Regional Coordinator for Plymouth County in the Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (BBA2) project as the speaker for the Friends 2nd Annual Meeting on May 12. Everyone is invited. Find out how you can participate in the BBA2 project! You do not have to volunteer for BBA2 to enjoy what promises to be a great presentation on birds in our area.

BBA2 is a volunteer program designed to track bird populations in Massachusetts. Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of 20 hours finding nesting bird species in each of 970 ten-square-mile blocks across the state. Data collected over a five year period will be compared to the Breeding Bird Atlas of 1979 providing important information on changes in breeding bird populations. See Mass Audubon's BBA2 website for more information.

Panel Moderator - Robb Johnson
Southeast Massachusetts Program Director
The Nature Conservancy www.nature.org

Birds of the Pine Barrens - Trevor L. Lloyd-Evans Author and Senior Staff Biologist
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences www.manomet.org

Controlled Burning - Bob Bale, Fire and Restoration Manager
The Nature Conservancy MA Chapter www.tncfire.org

Wild Wild Plants - Irina Kadis, Plant Enthusiast
Massachusetts Wild Plants Gallery www.salicicola.com

Rare Insects of the Pine Barrens - Mike Nelson, Invertebrate Zoologist MA Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/

Park Watch Program Presentation

Chief Ranger Curt Rudge, Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Park Watch program described how the program works to FMSSF at the November 18 meeting. By December, the Board voted unanimously to bring the program to MSSF.>

Ranger Rudge explained that the program begins with him setting up a meeting with police chiefs in Plymouth and Carver. After that, FMSSF will help set up a community meeting where Ranger Rudge will explain the program to the public and conduct volunteer training for those interested in participating.

Park Watch volunteers report any illegal or suspicious activity to DCR Park Rangers or State Police. Illegal or suspicious behavior can include: vandalism, ground fires, illegal dumping, consumption of alcohol, collecting plants or animals, illegal motorized vehicles on trails, camping or park use after dusk. See http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/trailwatch/mapw.htm.

Volunteers work cooperatively with forest staff, park rangers, environmental and local police to recognize and report suspicious activity in and around park areas. They also provide information to park managers and local law enforcement agencies by being "eyes & ears" in the forest.

FMSSF Ken Winters has stepped forward to chair the Park Watch Subcommittee. Ken will help arrange the first pubic meeting. Meanwhile, report suspicious activity to the Forest staff at (508) 866-2526 or call the number PK Watch number above.

Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Turns One!

We have completed one full year!

Annual Meeting: Speakers Nick Holland, Land Stewardship, Inc., and James Rassman, DCR Management Forester, SE Region. Nick has recently completed a project for DCR in Myles Standish State Forest that included acquiring GPS coordinates for every trail (including illegal trails) in MSSF. Nick and Jim will lead a discussion on Nick's findings and how they will affect MSSF forest management.

Kathleen Anderson

Friends of Myles Standish will welcome Kathleen Anderson, founder of the Manomet Bird Observatory, which later became the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences.

Ms. Anderson grew up in Carver, always fascinated by nature, especially birds. She became the Founding Director, Manomet Bird Observatory, now the Manomet Center for Conservation Services. She was the first President and one of founders of Plymouth County Wildlands Trust, now the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts. Ms. Anderson has served 25 years on MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee, last 5 years as Chairman. She was elected Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union, received the Governor Francis W. Sargent Award by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the George Haydock Award by the Lloyd Center for the Environment, Dartmouth, MA.

"The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences is one of the nation's only independent non-profits dedicated exclusively to carrying out environmental research. Originally founded nearly 40 years ago as the Manomet Bird Observatory," reported the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation when announcing the largest grant ever awarded by NFWF to Manomet Center in December 2007. The NFWF funds will be matched two to one for a total investment of $2.2 million for conservation projects. All that because Kathleen cared.

Come and meet Kathleen. Hear what she has to tell you about Bird Populations in the Fire-prone Pine Barrens. She is a true local champion of birds and wildlife. Her presence is sure to inspire!

Read about the Manomet Center Award here:

Archeology, Human History and Pine Barrens

Friends of Myles Standish State Forest is delighted to host speakers, Ms. Tonya Largy and Mr. Eugene Winter of the Robbins Museum of Archaeology, Middleborough, MA.

Ms. Largy is the President of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society (MAS), which maintains the museum. An archaeological consultant specializing in the analyses of both plant and animal remains from archaeological sites, Ms. Largy is on the staff of the Zooarchaeology Laboratory of the Peabody Museum, Harvard University. She has been active in Massachusetts archaeology since the late 1970’s. She has conducted excavations in the Sudbury/Assabet/Concord River basin and participated in excavations sponsored by the National Park Service. Mr. Winter is the Robbins Museum Coordinator and a wealth of information. Together they promise to deliver an outstanding slide show presentation on the extensive Robbins Museum collection, a collection that boasts over 80,000 artifacts! Friends MSSF has asked the pair to concentrate their remarks on human history in our own Pine Barrens.

The Robbins Museum is a gem. Please visit the Massachusetts Archaeology Society website for more information about the MAS and the Robbins Museum. Everyone is welcome, including students. Please come, especially if you have found an artifact that belongs in this museum! Dessert and hot beverages will be served.

Anyone living in or near Pine Barrens will want to attend the next Friends of Myles Standish State Forest meeting, Thursday, October 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at “the Barn”, MSSF Headquarters. The speaker will be Ron Aseltine, Plymouth County Fire Warden District II (in Myles Standish State Forest). Ron says Pine Barrens are the Nation’s third most dangerous area for out of control wildfires. With so many of us living in forested areas, we need to prepare for the inevitable. Come and learn what our forest managers and firefighters are doing to help prevent another wildfire disaster; and just as important, learn what you can do to protect your own property and the forest we all love. We urge you to attend this important meeting. (Bob Bale, The Nature Conservancy Fire and Restoration Manager, shows a map depicting wildfire burns since the 1950's.)

Also at this meeting, Friends will pay tribute to former MSSF Supervisor, Robert A. MacKenzie, who held MSSF together for over 17 years! The Department of Conservation and Recreation promoted Robert to District Supervisor of Blue Hills. Now DCR must find a replacement. Not an easy task! Everyone is welcome to Robert’s farewell celebration. (Robert MacKenzie received this photo from Helga and Kurt Stottmeier in thanks for Robert's 17 years of service as Supervisor of Myles Standish State Forest.)

Friends MSSF meets at Myles Standish State Forest in "the barn", across the street from the forest headquarters, Cranberry Rd., S. Carver.
To find the Barn, enter the MSSF forest. Follow the signs to Headquarters. We will have a large sign posted at the Barn. Please call FMSSF (508) 833-3588 for more information.Click here for a pdf map.

Friends will set their agenda for the coming year, discuss projects and organize committees. Bring your suggestions for improving the forest! (Click here to view the 2007-2008 Priorities List).

Guest speakers: The Nature Conservancy SE MA Program Director, Robb Johnson, and Casey Shetterly, SE MA Program Coordinator. Robb and Casey conducted a power point presentation on "Pine Barrens". FMMSF is looking for ways to join forces with TNC. To see what The Nature Conservancy is doing in our area click here.

Environmental Police Officer Rob Akin addressed the FMSSF regarding their most pressing concern: the use of illegal off road vehicles in the MSSF. DCR Forester James Rassman, and DCR Forest Ranger Tony Sanders were on hand to offer their input. Out of the meeting came several suggestions to present to DCR and other organizations for consideration in dealing with this ever-growing problem in open space and forests. If you are interested in helping find solutions for ending ORV use where it doesn't belong click here.