06/18/2013

Shark Safety Tips

When people think, “Massachusetts,” most people don’t think, “shark.”As the weather gets warmer, many sharks migrate to New England waters. Consequently, as the ocean doubles as our playground and their home, we at the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) have provided information and a few tips to remember to keep both us and the sharks safe.

Blue shark
A Blue Shark: image courtesy of the Division of Marine Fisheries

Some of the migratory species that travel here include the blue shark, shortfin mako, common thresher, basking shark, sand tiger, and great white shark. In our warmest months, tropical species such as the hammerhead shark and the tiger shark can make an appearance. Depending on species, their habitat can range from our nearshore coastal waters to the offshore, deep waters of the continental shelf.

 

Despite popular belief that sharks will eat anything and everything, most sharks have a very selective diet. Fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and seals are the most common choices; humans don’t make the list. Great white sharks especially, though they are thought to be aggressive, keep to themselves for the most part. That being said, sharks can be aggressive if threatened, so it is important to never approach one.

We urge the public to use their common sense, and always be aware of their surroundings. Avoid swimming at dusk or dawn, in very deep waters, or in areas of seal congregation. Stay close to shore and stay alert. If you’ve seen a shark in coastal waters, please contact DMF immediately.

“Fun in the sun,” is the trademark of summer; Massachusetts has a variety of coastal areas to take advantage of this season. However, it’s important to remember that we share our waters and our world. Always consider the different animals that live and visit the Commonwealth, and your oceanic experiences will be all the better! Check back on the blog to learn about more seasonal tips and tricks!

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06/13/2013

Reporting Roadkill: A Personal Story

Marion Larson

Marion Larson

Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

View Marion's Bio

I had just pulled out of Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area in Bolton, when something on the side of the road caught my eye.  "A weasel on the road – let’s get it," I exclaimed, excited by the prospect of scientific discovery. 

Making my way safely back on the busy road, my husband asked me, "Why do you want to pick it up?"  I replied, "It's not often you see a dead weasel in decent condition for scientific analysis and I can record this on the roadkill website for Mass Wildlife." 

While I'm sure his eyes rolled, all he asked was if I had a plastic bag for the carcass. After pulling off the road and flicking on the hazard lights, I grabbed my gloves and a plastic bag, hustled up to the carcass and placed it carefully in the bag.  It was a male weasel with a slightly flattened skull, but the rest of the animal was in good condition. At home, I laid it out in the garage and took a few images with a ruler in place.

There are two species of weasels in Massachusetts, the Long-tailed weasel and the Short-tailed weasel. The ruler helped determine which kind of weasel I had collected. Both species are common and are often referred to as ermine when in their white winter coats. Though often found in Massachusetts, weasels are not always seen. 

After wrapping the weasel securely in the bag and placing it in a small cooler with an ice pack, my last action was to visit the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife website. This website is part of a long-term collaboration by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Transportation to minimize the impact of the existing road network on rare and non-game wildlife, while improving highway safety.

Part of the effort involves data collection about wildlife on roads. Interested citizens can submit their observations of wildlife in three categories: general wildlife roadkills, amphibian migrations to temporary spring pools and turtle crossing hotspots. 

It's easy to submit the information for the general wildlife roadkills: give your name and email address, click on a Google map to record the exact location, identify the animal in the list given or - if it's not there like the weasel I found - provide the information in the Comment box, hit the Submit button and you've just made a contribution to wildlife science!  With the warm weather coming and spring rains, it's a great time to watch for salamanders, frogs and other amphibians crossing roads to spawn in vernal pools. So find some crossings and submit the data to the website but be sure of your safety on the roads.

 

Weasel and ruler March 2013

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06/10/2013

Weekly Outdoor Events: The Earth and Beyond - June 10-16

When was the last time you took time to stop and smell the roses? This week, reopen your eyes to the true beauty that makes up the world. On Wednesday, June 12 at 6 p.m., explore Myles Standish State Forest to catch a glimpse of the beautifully adorable whip-poor-will. As dusk falls, their voice grows; come listen to the songs they sing and the stories they tell. There may even be a few owls! For more information, and to preregister, visit http://www.meetup.com/friendsofmylesstandishstateforest/events/104183732.

Frequently forgotten in the bright city lights, the night sky has remained a source of inspiration, imagination, and fantasy. On June 14, in Halibut Point State Park, escape with the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club at 9 p.m. to gaze at the stars and other celestial beings. Telescopes will be available, and local astronomers will be present. So, bring your kids and a blanket and let your mind drift off into the cosmos. Call 978-546-2997 for more information.

Continuing on with your rediscovery of Mother Nature and join Adam Morris and Christine Ward as they lead an invigorating ID hike along the Tree-mile Hill Trail near Fountain Pond the morning of June 15. Listen for wildlife and investigate the diverse species of plants and trees over 1.5 miles of the trail (a shuttle will be provided for a ride back). A perfect family activity and it’s completely free! Bond with your beau, your brats, and your buddies, all while basking in Beartown State Forest. To register, please call the Berkshire South Community Center at 413-528-2810.

To cap off the events, don’t miss the summer solstice lecture in Western Gateway Heritage State Park June 15, beginning at 2 p.m. Titled “Yours Truly, Earth”, this year’s lecture centers around the golden record that was attached to the Voyager spacecraft. A sort of time capsule, on it is recorded 115 images, a variety of natural sounds, greetings in a multitude of languages, musical selections from different cultures and eras, along with other representations of the people on Earth. Come learn about this special, hope-infused piece of history, and listen and look at its portrayal of Earth and its people. Appropriate for adults and children high school and up.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of everyday life. But this week, turn off your cell phones and turn on your senses. The world is a wonderful, magical place, if we only take a moment to notice. Don’t forget to check out the Great Outdoors interactive Google calendar for a full calendar of Massachusetts’ outdoor events!

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06/02/2013

Weekly Outdoor Events: Coexisting with Critters – June 3-9, 2013

Recess is one of the most important times in a child’s life, a time for exploration and hands-on education. My recesses were usually comprised of dirty hands, frogs, worms, and other many-legged living creatures. Unfortunately, as you get older, recess slowly starts to disappear, becoming replaced with “study halls” and “lunch breaks.” For all those who can understand and sympathize with my feeling of loss, I have wonderful news – this weekend, it’s time to be that dirt-covered kid again!

On June 6, in Harold Parker State Forest, all ages are welcome to come and learn about their neighbors in the woods. From 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., a park interpreter will be teaching about the variety of animals that make their home in the forest, and their habits. For more information, call (978)475-7972.

It’s supposed to be a beautiful 70 degrees in Sandy Point State Reservation on Friday June 7, so make your way down and look beyond the beach you see.  From 10 – 11 a.m., hike along the seldom-explored side of the Western trail, and investigate the salt marsh and sand dunes, and associated ecology and geology. Get your hands dirty! For more information, call (617)372-6730.

Finally, to top off your Massachusetts creature feature, join Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for a special event on Saturday June 8 in Halibut Point. From 1 – 2 p.m., you’ll be able to learn about snakes in New England, snakes in California, snakes in the tropics, and other slimy, scaled inhabitants.  For more information,  call (978)546-2997.

The end of this first week in June is sure to be a fun one, so grab your sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottle, and take a walk on the wild side of Massachusetts.

And don’t forget to check out the Great Outdoors interactive Google calendar for a full calendar of Massachusetts outdoor events!

 

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05/26/2013

Weekly Outdoor Events: WWTD (What Would Thoreau Do?) May 27 – June 2

One day doesn’t seem enough for a celebration of the brave men and women who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces. Frequently filled with burgers, hot dogs, and s’mores, Memorial Day weekend has become, simultaneously, a weekend-long celebration of that service and an indicator that summer is just around the corner.

After the food is finished, what better way to relax and reflect upon the holiday than to take a walk around Walden Pond? On May 27 from 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 3pm, join a park interpreter to learn about Henry David Thoreau’s life and legacy. Perfect for all ages, the program incorporates a half-mile hike around the pond to the original location of Thoreau’s house.

Halfway through the week, on Wednesday May 29, let Mother Nature give you a natural energy boost. Take a stroll through the blooms in Maudslay State Park. Beginning at 6pm, this program lasts an hour; forget your woes of work in the ambiance of these annual blossoms and their spectacular array of colors, scents, and sights.

Grab your worms and work your way to the water - June 1 and 2 is Statewide Free Fishing Weekend!!! For these two days, you won’t need a license to fish in any body of water throughout the state! Parents, this is the perfect time to help your kids learn the merits of patience: Walden Pond is hosting a free fishing clinic for children ages 8-15 from 8am – 10:30am. If you’re a beginner, make your way out to either Family Fishing Day at Turner Falls, or the 22nd Annual Horn Pond Fishing Festival (from 10am-2pm and 9am-1pm respectively), where amateurs can learn about regional fish, safety, ethics, and equipment.

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05/25/2013

Preserving the Massachusetts Landscape

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has deep roots in the preservation of the Massachusetts landscape, growing from the former Metropolitan Park System (1893), the nation’s first regional park system, and from one of the country’s first state parks systems (1898). Built over a century of preservation and stewardship, the Massachusetts state parks are a rare collection of buildings, sites, monuments and landscapes that reflect our shared history. As a leader in landscape preservation, DCR has developed innovative programs to preserve the cultural landscapes in the state parks and beyond, which we celebrate as part of Preservation Month: Stories in Stone.

This year DCR is pleased to partner with the Friends of Borderland State Park in preserving the historic Rock Garden at Borderland State Park. The garden had become severely overgrown, and a 1977 planting scheme had introduced hundreds of maintenance-intensive plants. With the goal of returning the balance of vegetation and stonescape and lessening the maintenance burden, DCR developed a rehabilitation plan. Contributions from the Friends were matched by DCR, and work began last fall. This spring work will be complete with additional plantings and iron fencing.   

The award-winning Terra Firma technical bulletin series is a cornerstone of the public education arm of DCR’s Historic Landscape Preservation Initiative. The bulletins cover landscape preservation fundamentals as well as emerging issues. Delivered in a non-academic format and beautifully illustrated, Terra Firma gets information into the hands of professionals and non-professionals alike. This year DCR was pleased to reissue a revised and updated version of Terra Firma #2: Caring for Mature Trees covering basic tree care as well new information on threats to historic trees such as the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer. All publications are free. To be added to our mailing list, please visit the program website http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/publications.htm.

DCR’s Historic Cemetery Preservation Initiative has helped communities and our own park staff tackle the tough job of preserving historic burial grounds and cemeteries. DCR’s own inventory includes 70 cemeteries – from the Shurcliff-designed Quabbin Park Cemetery to multiple family plots in our forests and parkland. This spring DCR will once again work with a professional conservator to stabilize priority gravestones at Quabbin Park Cemetery as part of an ongoing preservation maintenance program. DCR’s Cemetery Preservation Guidelines have been distributed to cities and towns in Massachusetts and used as a model for cemetery preservation across the nation. A CD-Rom of the Guidelines was included in the 2011 release of Terra Firma #10 Mourning Glory: Preserving Historic Cemeteries at a DCR sponsored Historic Cemetery Preservation workshop attended by over 200 people.

DCR’s projects and educational programs promote the preservation of the Massachusetts landscape and the protection of special places that improve our quality of life. But everyone can be a steward of our cultural heritage. Start by learning more during DCR’s Preservation Month.

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05/18/2013

Safe Boating Week in Massachusetts

With Memorial Day approaching, the Patrick-Murray Administration has proclaimed May 18-24 Safe Boating Week in Massachusetts as part of a national campaign to encourage safe boating practices.

A personal floatation device, or lifejacket, may be the most important piece of safety equipment for any boater. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 651 boating fatalities nationwide last year. Of those fatalities, the number one cause was drowning. Of those who drowned, 83 percent were not wearing a lifejacket.

Click here for more information about national accident statistics.

Last year, there were 68 reported boating accidents in Massachusetts, resulting in 17 fatalities. That number is up from 46 reported boating accidents that resulted in nine fatalities in 2011. Drowning was the number one cause of fatalities in both years, and none of those victims wore lifejackets.

While lifejackets are important, that won’t do it alone. Always travel at reasonable speeds and always avoid operating boats under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Environmental Police Officers will be patrolling rivers, lakes and coastal waters across the Commonwealth throughout the season to enforce state and federal recreational boating laws.

We also encourage boaters of all ages and experience to take a safe boating course. Click here for registration information and links to nationally approved course providers.

For more information on safe boating courses, contact the Environmental Police Boat and Recreational Vehicle Safety Bureau at (508) 564-4961 and to report accidents, call (800) 632-8075.

Remember when you’re out on the water, safety first. I hope everyone has a safe and pleasant boating season.

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05/12/2013

The Guard Life: Do you have what it takes?

Katie McGuireKatie McGuire

Press & Social Media Intern, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Katie's Bio

When you grow up a Long Island kid, it’s pretty much understood that you will take swim lessons and you will find a teenage career in aquatics. From the time I was fourteen, my summer revolved around the local pool. The time I spent instructing and guarding helped me build my résumé (and my confidence), introduced me to so many new people in my hometown, and gave me a comfortable amount of money for my first year away at college. 

Beginning my first office-based internship with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seemed to signal an end to jobs that primarily involved wearing bathing suits and chatting with pool visitors, but the chlorinated water never really washes out of your blood.

To an agency that operates 40-plus manmade aquatics facilities and oversees miles of shoreline, a press intern applicant who could write and tweet about as well as explain pools to DCR’s hockey playing press secretary… well, my guard life may have sealed me this internship!

DCR needs to staff 86 of its waterfront properties for the Summer 2013 season, in order to provide the Commonwealth with the safety and peace of mind all residents deserve in the hottest months of the year. More than 700 professionals will staff coastal beaches, inland beaches, and swimming pools, allowing for a change of scenery, new friends, and a summer under the sun. Want to spend your summer building your personal strength, practical knowledge, and, yes, your bank account?

DCR is conducting lifeguarding tests and hiring lifeguards now through June. If you’re interested in building your resume—along with your tan—and think you’ve got what it takes, don’t hesitate:  check out  DCR’s Lifeguarding program website or contact the Office of Aquatic Resources at 251 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114 or (617) 626-1224. 

Lifeguard applicants must be at least 16 years old at the time of employment and possess current certification in several areas. For details on these requirements visit the website at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/l-guard/index.htm.

For those interested in pool management, lead lifeguard positions, and related aquatics seasonal work, please contact DCR’s Boston Aquatic’s office at the number above.

Come on in, take a swim, try it out, and you too might find yourself working for DCR this summer!

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05/09/2013

Celebrate Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands - May 11-12!

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently put out an events calendar marking May and June as “Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands Months” celebrating river- and wetland-related activities across the state.

The 2013 Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands Months Calendar contains detailed information and links to more than 275 events in, along or about the rivers and wetlands of Massachusetts taking place from April 27 to July 4. Upcoming events include kayaking trips, riverside picnics, canoe races, birding in salt marshes, fishing derbies, river cleanups, overnight camping trips, and nature hikes.

Here’s a brief sample of events taking place the weekend of May 11-12:

May 11 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Birding Paddle Trip through Wenham Swamp, 6:00 AM – 10:30 Great_Blue_Heron,_WadingAM, co-sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association and the Essex County Ornithological
Society. Paddle the Wenham Swamp section of the Ipswich River while birding with the experts at the
height of warbler migration! Put in is at Route 97/High Street in Topsfield, and take out is at Willowdale Meadows, on Topsfield Road near Bradley Palmer State Park. Click here or contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or call (978) 412-8200 for more info.

May 11 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River Cleanup Paddle in Pittsfield and Lenox, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Berkshire Environmental BEAT Housatonic CleanupCrew2Action Team (BEAT). “Bring your own boat or reserve a canoe. We will use boats (canoes and kayaks) to pick up trash that has collected behind downed trees. One group will launch from Fred Garner Park and head south to Decker Landing, while another group will launch from Decker and paddle south and then return to Decker Landing.” Pre-registration required; if you want to start from Decker Landing, please contact Alison Dixon [adixon@hvatoday.org,  (413) 394-9796]; or, if you want to start from Fred Garner Park and paddle to Decker Landing, please contact Jane Winn at jane@thebeatnews.org or (413) 230-7321.  Click here to download a flyer on this event; all participants will be treated to a picnic lunch.

May 11 (Saturday) – ESSEX RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Essex River Race, sponsored by Essex River Racethe Cape Ann Rowing Club. Registration begins at 8:00 AM; the first race heat sets off at 10:00 AM. The Essex River Race is a 5.5-mile, open water event starting at the Essex River Bridge at Route 133 in Essex, out behind the barrier beaches of Ipswich and back. Participants row or paddle small boats through one of the most scenic tidal areas in New England. Occasionally the water can be very rough, with strong winds and currents. Click here for an overview of the race and here to participate, or contact Suzanne Sweeney for more info.

May 12 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Nahanton Park Mother’s Day Bird Walk Trip, 8:00 AM start, sponsored by the Newton Conservators.  Nahanton Park offers a mix of woodlands, wetlands, edge habitat and meadows along the Charles River, making it one of the best birding spots in Newton for both migratory and resident songbirds. Likely finds include brightly colored Egret at Nahanton Park, Newtonwarblers, vireos, and orioles. Also expect bluebirds, scarlet tanagers, swallows and brown thrashers. Enter the park at the Nahanton Street entrance next to the river. Parking is available inside the park. Bring binoculars if you have them. Beginners as well as experienced birders are welcome. Boots are recommended. Walk will be cancelled in steady rain.  Click here or contact co-leaders Alison Leary (617) 821-5619 or Haynes Miller (617) 413-2419 for more info. (Co-sponsored with Friends of Nahanton Park)

May 12 (Sunday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Paddle the Herring River in Harwich, 12:00 Noon start, sponsored by the Kayak and Walk Cape Cod Meetup Group. “The Herring Herring riverRiver is a scenic waterway, surrounded by over 200 acres of Harwich Conservation Lands.  We always see birds along the river bank and expansive marsh.  We’ll head to the end of the river where the culvert allows water to flow into and out of the reservoir in Bell’s Neck”. Click here for basic info on this group and its paddling trips and here to sign up or for more specific info on this event.



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05/07/2013

Celebrating Historic Preservation Month

I’m pleased to announce the kickoff of Historic Preservation Month in Massachusetts and throughout the country. DCR is once again celebrating through the month of May by showcasing its preservation efforts at events held at historic properties throughout our state parks. This year’s theme is Stories in Stone, which will highlight the important role of stone in the history of the Commonwealth.

In addition to its role as a recreation and natural conservation agency, DCR is the steward of some of the Commonwealth’s most significant historic resources. From the peaks of the Berkshires to the shores of the Cape, we are charged with the management and protection of literally thousands of such historic wonders. As a result, DCR is one of the most active historic preservation organizations in the country. Whether managing hands-on preservation projects, documenting our portfolio of resources, spearheading nationally recognized preservation initiatives, or working closely with DCR staff to ensure the protection of cultural resources at our parks, DCR takes its preservation mission seriously. 

Visitors can experience history firsthand by enjoying guided walks and programs at the rubble footprints of an abandoned town, an elegant stone mansion, or a towering monument. Take the rare opportunity to go behind closed doors and learn about how DCR is meeting the challenge of preserving such a vast and varied collection, including dams, bridges, and parkways, Native American landscapes, commemorative monuments,  stately mansions, simple farmhouses, the famous Plymouth Rock, and the mysterious Dighton Rock. This May, take the opportunity to get to know your history.  You may never look at a stone wall the same way again. Visit www.mass.gov/dcr for a roster of events and programs.

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