Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Safe Boating Week in Massachusetts

Colonel Aaron Gross

Director, Massachusetts Environmental Police

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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.

The Guard Life: Do you have what it takes?

Katie McGuire

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

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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!

Celebrate Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands - May 11-12!

Tim Purinton

Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

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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 AM, 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 Action 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 the 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 warblers, 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 River 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.

Celebrating Historic Preservation Month

Edward M. Lambert Jr.

Commissioner, Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)

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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.

Weekend Outdoor Events - May 3-6: Getting Outdoors and Fishing Fun!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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 On Saturday, May 4, head over to the Freetown State Forest and strap on your hiking boots and experience the vastness of the unbroken forest on a walk that spans the full length of the 13,600-acre bioreserve. From old mill ponds to abandoned farm sites to vernal pools to cedar swamps - you won't believe the wilderness right in our own backyard. The full hike is 12 miles, but pick-ups will be available every few miles along the way and transportation will provided back your car.

This program is co-sponsored with The Trustees of Reservations, MassWildlife, and the city of Fall River. This hike is suitable for adults. Program is free and open to the public. Rain or shine. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Meet at the pavilion located near the main parking lot at Freetown State Forest. The Bioreserve Big Walk takes place 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information call (508) 636-4693 x103. For directions, go to http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/free.htm

 

Also happening this weekend is a number of fishing derbies and festivals across the state! Cast a line; learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available at each event.

• On Saturday, May 4, the Needham Recreation Family Fishing Derby is taking place at the Needham Reservoir from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Needham Recreation Commission. Contact: Karen Peirce (781) 455-7521.
• The Westborough Spring Fishing Challenge is also happening on Saturday on Sandra Pond at the Minuteman Park in Westborough from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Contact MassWildlife’s Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or email jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.
• For those in the Charlton area, the Snows Pond Family Fishing Festival is happening on the shores of Snows Pond, located at Fay Mountain Farm off Cemetary Rod from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Charlton Conservation Commission. Contact: Charlton Conservation Commission, Todd P. Girard (508) 248-2247 or email: todd.girard@townofcharlton.net.
• On Sunday, May 5, the Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival is taking place in Brookline! From 9:00 a.m. – noon, MassWildlife is participating in this festival in cooperation with the Brookline Recreation Department. Contact Stephanie Springer by email sspringer@brooklinema.gov for more information.

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

Celebrate Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands - May 4-5!

Tim Purinton

Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

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As warmer spring weather draws outdoor enthusiasts to the Commonwealth’s wetlands and waterways, 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 4-5:

May 4 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Beginner bird walk at Housatonic Flats in Great Barrington, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., sponsored by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC).  Join BNRC staff at the Housatonic Flats Reserve for a 2-hour stroll at this promising birding site.  Terrain is flat, level ground along the Housatonic River.  Wear long pants and shoes; bring water and a snack.  “This walk will help take you from feeder birds (blue jays, chickadees) to the birds of field and forest.  It’s the perfect forum for a beginner to ask all his/her bird questions.  Can’t tell a robin from a crow?  No shame – we’ll show you how we do it.  After just one walk you’ll amaze your friends with cheap birding tricks!”  Housatonic Flats is on Route 7 in Great Barrington, just north of the WSBS radio tower, right across the street from Bridlewood Home Furnishings (434 Stockbridge Road).  Currently the site has no signage, though a temporary “Event” sign will be posted there that day.  Click here or contact Doug Bruce at (413) 499-0596 or dbruce@bnrc.net for more info. 

May 4 (Saturday) – MILLERS RIVER – Millers River Trail Hike in Athol and Royalston, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This will be an 8-mile, moderately-paced hike with an 800-foot elevation gain and scenic views of the Millers River. Part of the hike route will be on the new Quabbin to Monadnock (Q&M) Trail and the new Pequiog Community Trail (PCT).  Bring lunch, water, snacks. Severe weather cancels.  There is an option to socialize at the South Royalston Country Store at the end of the hike. Pre-registration required; click here or contact trip leaders Dan Bolton [(978) 895-3979] or Mike Foley [mjfoles@msn.com] to sign up or for more info.

May 4 (Saturday) – MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Paddle the Mashpee River in Mashpee, 10:00 a.m. start, sponsored by the Kayak and Walk Cape Cod Meetup Group. “Paddle through the Mashpee Woodlands Conservation Area, perhaps seeing nesting marsh wrens and red winged blackbirds along the shoreline and always osprey overhead.  It is a beautiful paddle, end to end.” 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.

May 5 (Sunday) – WARE RIVER (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Canoe the East Branch of the Ware River,  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover this spectacular canoeing and hiking area located on the west side of Princeton. Much of the land along the river has been acquired for drinking water protection since the Ware River flows into the Quabbin Reservoir system to the west. Wildlife sightings abound in this area, and May is a wonderful time to be out on the water. If time permits, we will explore some of the walking trails along the river as well. We'll provide canoes, Life jackets and paddles. We'll meet at the Sanctuary and carpool to our destination. Fee: Adults $12.00/members,$18.00/nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 464-2712 to sign up or for more info.

Weekend Outdoor Events - April 26-28. Celebrate Park Serve Day!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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Saturday, April 27, 2013 is Park Serve Day in Massachusetts.

Park Serve Day is an initiative created by Governor Patrick to improve state recreational spaces throughout the Commonwealth by fostering a sense of a shared purpose by communities to maintain public spaces for the greater good. Most events will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., though hours may vary by location and participants are encouraged to reach out to their local Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) park to confirm event times.

DCR will provide work gloves and equipment needed for the various projects, though participants may want to bring their own gloves or hand tools, clearly marked with the owner’s name and phone number. Power tools are not allowed. Wear sturdy shoes and work clothes, and bring sunscreen and insect repellent. All events are rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather. Parking fees will be waived at all DCR facilities where Park Serve projects are taking place. Drinking water and a snack will be supplied, though participants should feel free to bring their own water and food as well.

Last year, nearly 5,000 people volunteered at 53 parks across the state. In addition to collecting more than 19.5 tons of trash, those volunteers had planted over 187 trees, 167 shrubs and 1,742 flowers.

To find a Park Serve Day event near you, check the list below or search the Park Serve Day website. To register for an event, use the online volunteer application.

Weekend Outdoor Events: April 19-21

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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On Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., head over to the Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth for a day of gardening workshops and demonstrations. Spend Saturday brushing up on your gardening skills to get yourself ready for the gardening season ahead, whether growing plants in containers outside the classroom, in a school garden or in your own backyard. Workshops will cover digging in-ground garden beds, building raised beds, gardening in containers, seeding and seed saving, skills for planting a tree, pruning and more.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom in collaboration with Tranquil Lake Nursery, Rehoboth, this event is free and open to educators, school gardeners and the public. Bring your own lunch. For more information visit www.aginclassroom.org or call (508) 336-4426.

Also on Saturday, Noticing Nature: A Guided Nature Program for Families is taking place at Mount Tom State Reservation; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. See, smell, touch and hear what Mother Nature is up to in the woods and along the edges of fields. Suitable for families and curious adults, the tour will take place over short distances on gentle terrain. Meeting will take place at the Stone House Visitor Center, 77 Christopher Clark Road, at its junction with Reservation Road. Please dress for the outdoors – and possibly wet or muddy conditions. Heavy rain will cancel the event. For more information call (413) 584-6788.

On Sunday, April 21, Find Inspiration Through Nature at Miles Standish State Forest; 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Are you suffering from nature-deficit disorder? Would you like to slow down, observe the world around you, and feel a connection to the natural landscape that surrounds you? Come along on a silent walk through the woods to experience nature in a new way – through thoughtful prose and reflection.

Meet at Headquarters parking lot at 194 Cranberry Road in South Carver. This is best for adults. Dress for the weather. Call (508) 866-2580 x162 for more information and weather cancellation.

For those who live near Breakheart Reservation, one of Ranger Dan’s Nature Walks is also happening on Sunday. From 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. explore the reservation at a family friendly pace. Meet at the Dunne Visitors Center, located off Lynn Fells Parkway near Route 1 at 177 Forest Street in Saugus. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Please call DCR staff at (781) 233-0834 or email lynn.hildenbrand@state.ma.us for additional information.

Spring is Get-Your-Fishing-Gear-In-Check Time!

Elaine Brewer
Information and Education Coordinator, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
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The snow has melted for, hopefully, the last time this year. The birds are chirping. The sun is rising a little earlier every day. The temperature is on a steady climb. The fishing shows and outdoor expos are over. It’s about that time to get back on the water!

Although we just want to rush to the water and throw our lines in, there’s actually a process to the mad rush in wetting the lines for the first time of the season. Anglers meticulously check gear in preparation for the warm weather. Because, honestly, why would you waste a good day on the water to fix gear? Do it beforehand, when it’s still just cold enough to keep you off the water.

So how do you get ready for fishing? Follow these steps from some of MarineFisheries most experienced recreational anglers:

-After finding and dusting off your gear, lay it out and take inventory of what you have. Did you lose or break something last year that needs replacing? Put it on the list!

-Break down your reels to clean and lubricate. Make sure there are no broken parts and if there are…fix them! Or bring them to someone who can. When putting the reels back together, be sure that all the parts are included and always test them out to make sure they’re put back together correctly! Almost nothing is worse than a reel blowing up while you’re hooked on a fish.

-Most line manufacturers want you to replace your fishing line every year. We all know that gets tedious and expensive. If you’re not replacing your line every year, inspect the line. Look and feel for any damage (nicks or pulls, anything that feels even a little different than the rest of the line). If you don’t feel any breakage or disturbance in the line, replace at least the first 50 yards or so. This section sees the most action and gets the most damage.

-Check the rod shaft and guides for any tears, splits, or nicks. If there is even a little bit of damage in the guides or shaft, it may mean losing the big one, getting an injury, and most probably a lot of colorful language. 

-Tie rigs. The more rigs that can be made in advance, the better! Nothing is worse than losing or breaking rigs on the water and not having any to replace them.

-Sharpen hooks.  Catching a fish with a dull, rusty hook is like cutting a steak with a spoon it just doesn’t work.

-Get all the bait and tackle you need, and anything you put on the gear list, from your local tackle shop. Be sure to grab a copy of the Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide (you can view it online here) and familiarize yourself with the regulations for your favorite saltwater species. 

Of course, don’t forget your 2013 Saltwater Recreational Fishing Permit! If you don’t have yours yet, pick one up at one of many vendors (mapped here) or purchase one online here.

Anything else you need can be found on the MarineFisheries website. Have fun when you get out there and tight lines!

Another Massachusetts Farm Joins the Century Club: Davenport Maple Farm Turns 100!

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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Founded in 1913, Davenport Maple Farm joins the celebrated ranks of Massachusetts farms that have been in the same family for 100 years or more and which are still being farmed. Massachusetts is home to over 115 farms that have met this criteria, with more than a dozen of them having reached the 300-year milestone. These Century Farms have existed for so very many years thanks to the efforts and determination of the families who own them. Although the business plans may have changed over time, the tenacity and resilience of the families who’ve worked them has not. They’ve managed to adapt as markets and consumer demands have changed; they have thrived despite hardships from war, weather and the economy; and through it all, they have persevered.

In 2010, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation chronicled the histories of these farms and published Massachusetts Century Farms 2010, a guide to these historic agricultural treasures.  If you have a farm, or know of one that meets the criteria, please contact Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation at (508) 481-4766 so that it may be considered for inclusion in a future edition (a limited supply of the books are available for purchase; Cost is $10.00, including shipping and handling).   

The Davenport Maple Farm is a 4th generation family-owned farm. During the year, the farm offers maple products, fresh eggs, raw milk, hay, and cordwood. At their seasonal Sugar House Restaurant (March and early April), visitors can watch and learn about the sugaring process, visit the cows and calves, and enjoy the view while waiting to eat a home-style breakfast.

And don’t miss out! April 6 and 7 is the last weekend the Maple Farm Restaurant will be open and will feature a special Yankee pot roast luncheon in celebration of this centennial. Call (413) 625-2866 for more information.

To Note: Russell Davenport was also one of the first Faces of Massachusetts to be featured in honor of MDAR’s 150th anniversary.