Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Safe Boaters are Happy Boaters

Colonel Aaron Gross

Director, Massachusetts Environmental Police

View Aaron's Bio

May 19-26 is Safe Boating Week and with Memorial Day approaching, we at the Massachusetts Environmental Police are urging boaters to make this a safe boating season.

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 672 boating fatalities nationwide in 2010, and nearly 75 percent of those fatalities were due to drowning. Of those who drowned, 88 percent were not wearing a lifejacket.

Click here for more information about national accident statistics.

Last year, there were 67 reported boating accidents in Massachusetts resulting in ten fatalities, up from 60 reported boating accidents in Massachusetts resulting in 16 fatalities in 2010. 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)759-0002 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.

Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

View Anna's Bio

Each year, 45 agricultural fairs are held all across the Commonwealth, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. While fair activities differ from event to event, most include live music, farm exhibits, arts and crafts shows, garden demonstrations, 4-H and children’s activities! These family friendly events offer something for everyone. Some of the fairs that happen earlier in the summer are highlighted below.

The Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair takes  place in Cummington on May 26 and 27. It began 38 years ago to offer a statewide sheep show, and has now evolved to include all things sheep and fiber, from fleece shows, sheep shows, woolcrafts, spinning and handspun contests, and even sheep dog trials. Event organizers will offer fiber workshops on everything from Kool Aid dyeing for kids to knitting, along with demonstrations on shearing and lamb cooking. Over 50 local vendors will showcase wools and yarn for sale.

Single Sheep Photo by Sharon Suchecki

The Barnstable County Fair, an annual summer tradition in Cape Cod for the past 167 years, runs fromJuly 21-28 in East Falmouth. Last year more than 85,000 people enjoyed the animal shows, 4H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, food, live music and more.

The 38^th Annual Adams Agricultural Fair will be held from August 2-5. It’s the quintessential country fair with competitions showcasing the best in agricultural products ranging from herbs and baked goods to canned fruits and poultry. There will also be a quilters design challenge, battle of the bands, and King Arthur Flour baking contest.

Bolton Fair, and old fashioned agricultural fair with 136 years of history, will take place from August 10-12. Animal shows and agricultural exhibits are the heart of the show and food, entertainment, farmers markets, rides and demonstrations also makeup the festivities.

 

If you would like a copy of the 2012 Fairs Brochure please contact Ellen Hart at 617-626-1742 or email Ellen.Hart@state.ma.us. For a complete listing of Massachusetts Agricultural fairs and other agricultural resources, you can visit the MassGrown interactive Google map!

Preserving History in the Parks

Edward M. Lambert Jr.

Commissioner, Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)

View Edwards's Bio

When you think of parks do you envision a wooded trail along a rocky precipice or a long boardwalk to a sandy beach? Well, you should also picture historic farms and farmhouses, stone mansions, a 250 year-old mill village and a Viking tower. Yes, there is history in our parks and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is committed to preserving Massachusetts heritage as part of its mission.

This month we celebrate DCR’s mission as part of national Preservation Month.

The more than 450,000 acres of DCR parkland are also home to a rich collection of cultural resources and historic sites. You may have seen some of the historic buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s when you stayed in a cabin at Mohawk trail, dined at Bascom Lodge, or picnicked at a pavilion at Douglas State Forest. Or maybe you took a tour of the Ames Mansion at Borderland State Park or attended a maple sugaring program at Brookwood Farm at Blue Hills State Reservation. DCR understands that these buildings and landscapes add value to everyday life, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the people who came before us. Preserving that legacy is one of our goals.

On top of the everyday stewardship carried out by our park personnel, DCR has undertaken special projects over the years to protect and enhance cultural resources. Since 1994 the Historic Curatorship Program has been preserving historic buildings through public/private partnership, with 60 properties rehabilitated for new use. At Maudslay State Park and Borderland State Park, DCR undertook the rehabilitation of historic gardens and landscapes which were integral to the former private estates. A multi-year project at the Ames Mansion included masonry repairs and roof work. This year DCR’s technical bulletin series for landscape preservation Terra Firma is receiving two awards – from the Boston Society for Landscape Architects and the Massachusetts Historical Commission. DCR is proud to be a preservation organization.

This month-long celebration of DCR’s unique historic sites includes special Opening Our Doors events that will give the public access to properties sometimes limited from view. Doors will be open at Curatorship properties in Newburyport, Carlisle and Foxborough, and at the Viking-inspired Norumbega Tower, a nineteenth century oddity in Weston. Take a stroll through the rhododendron stands and mill village at Moore State Park in Paxton on May 19^th or get a behind-the-scenes look backstage at the Hatch Shell on May 24th. For a full program visit the DCR website http://www.mass.gov/dcr/preservation2012.htm.

Get out and see history preserved in your parks!

Preservation Month is promoted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/preservation-month/

Weekly Outdoor Events 5/14/12

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

This week, take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Massachusetts Department of Ecological Restoration (DER). DER sponsors weekly events to give you the chance to explore some Massachusetts’s pristine wetlands reserves. Wetlands are home to a large number of diverse wildlife and bird species, and DER guides will point out all the hidden spots where these animals like to nest. Some of the tours take you by foot through the nature paths, and others allow you to paddle in your kayak right down the river. This week alone, DER will be sending experts to lead explorations of the Quinsigamond River, the Ispwich River, the Weweantic River, and the Muddy River in the Charles River Watershed.

Also on Saturday, May 19, the 19th annual EarthFest celebration is taking place at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. EarthFest is a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the earth. The event will showcase national and local music acts, environmentally-friendly products and local non-profit environmental organizations presented by Whole Foods in conjunction with DCR. 

Learn more about EarthFest is available here!

And remember to check out the Great Outdoors interactive calendar for a complete listing of outdoor events in Massachusetts. Bookmark the MassWildlife events page too, for wildlife related talks, events, hikes and more!

Weekly Outdoor Events 5/7/12

Maia Fitzstevens

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Maia's Bio

Opportunities for family friendly fishing continue this week! This is your chance to enjoy the natural resources and beauty of our Commonwealth and to connect with other anglers. Weekend fishing festivities include a Kids Fishing Event on May 12 in Sunderland at the Cronin National Salmon Station, sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (email Bryan for more information) as well as the MassWildlife Fishing Derby at Coes Pond in Worcester (see picture below).

Photo credit: By Michaeldavid54 on Flickr

For those in the Boston area, this weekend is the perfect time to head over to Milton for some fun outdoor events! Give back to the community and join the Friends of the Blue Hills Trail Crew on Saturday morning to help spruce up the trails of the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation. If you’d rather just enjoy the gorgeous view of the Blue Hills, Department of Conservation and Recreation staff will host an Open House and Kite Festival at the Blue Hills Observatory (call 617-696-0562 for more information). Also in Milton this Saturday is Creepy Crawly Days at MassAudobon’s Trailside Museum, where kids of all ages can enjoy live animal exhibits, fun bug hunts, crafts and more!

Photo credit: Blue Hills Reservation http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmch/ 

Check out the Great Outdoors interactive calendar for a complete listing of outdoor events in Massachusetts. Bookmark the MassWildlife events page too, for wildlife related talks, events, hikes and more!

Weekly Outdoor Events 4/30/12

Maia Fitzstevens

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Maia's Bio

Are you an avid fisher? Have you ever wanted to try fishing, but never got the chance to do so? Whatever your answer, you should think about attending one of the great fishing festivals that MassWildlife Angler Education Program is hosting around the state this weekend. Come to cast a line, learn about native Massachusetts fishes and familiarize yourself in the important areas of fishing safety, ethics, and equipment. Seasoned fishers are requested to bring their own equipment, but equipment and tackle will be provided for first timers. Events will be held on Saturday in Westborough on the shores of Sandra Pond and in Charlton at Snows Pond and on Sunday the fishing festival will take place in Brookline.

A series of Sunday afternoon Nature Walks and Stories will start this week in South Boston. Department of Conservation and Recreation rangers invite you and your family to a fun filled afternoon of crafts and story readings in Ventura Park!

As always, check out the Great Outdoors interactive calendar for a complete listing of outdoor events in Massachusetts. Bookmark the MassWildlife events page too, for wildlife related talks, events, hikes and more!

The spirit of spring

Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
View Madeleine's Bio

Although it has been a relatively mild winter, signs of spring still ignite positive energies and excitement within the Commonwealth.  Lunch breaks take a little longer and the walk to your T stop is a bit more relaxed.  To many people, springtime is about more than just an escape from the bonds of cold weather.  Springtime is the start of the birds’ mating season and the farmers’ planting season; the activities we do in our free time change and we can spend more of our day outside interacting with the nature around us.   

Today I spoke with members of the various environmental agencies to find out what they love about spring.  For Marion Larson with MassWildlife, the mating call of the American Woodcocks “peent….peent…peent,” is a clear sign of the new season.  Although SJ Port, who works with the Department of Conservation Resources (DCR), is reluctant to put her hockey gear away, she is excited to replace her skates with sneakers and take a walk along DCR's Charles River Reservation's Esplanade and hike through some of the DCR state parks.  Anna Waclawiczek, in the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), looks forward to the busy planting season at our local farms.  Now is the time, she says, whether you are a farmer or a green thumb hobbyist to visit a garden center or nursery and get your fingers dirty with fresh planting soil.  To find local nurseries, garden centers, farmers’ markets and much more go to the MassGrown & Fresher Agri-Google map.   

What do you love about the transition into spring?  What smell, sight, or sound is most indicative to you that springtime is here?  For me it is the smell of hyacinths when I am out on a jog or walking my dogs.  Use the comment space below to share with us your thoughts.     

Weekly Outdoor Events! 3-12-12

Maia Fitzstevens

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

View Maia's Bio

Maple Month is in full swing! Don’t miss Breakheart Reservation’s annual Pancake Breakfast in Saugus, on March 17, from 9am to noon, where you can enjoy some delicious fresh maple syrup. Come back on Sunday March 18, from 10am-2pm for Maple Sugaring to learn about the history of maple sugaring, participate in tree identification, and even tap your own maple tree.

Interested in learning about local wildlife? Head over to Norwell for a talk on black bears, fishers and beavers in southeastern MA this Wednesday, March 14, from 7-8:30pm, brought to you by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Or, make your way to the Dennis Conservation Land Trust for a talk on local wildlife and preventing conflict with your furry neighbors, on Saturday March 17, from 10am-1pm.

If you’re looking to get outside this week, meet at the Harold Parker State Forest headquarters in North Andover to walk the woods at 10am on Wednesday, March 14, or head over to Walden Pond State Reservation on Sunday for a Thoreau Ramble.

Educators and teachers: check out the Growing up WILD Workshops on March 13 in Newburyport, and on March 17 in Norwell, designed to help your students connect to nature.

And for more Massachusetts Outdoor Events, visit The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

Celebrate maple sugar days at DCR parks

Hilary Katulak

Press intern, Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR)

View Hilary’s Bio

It’s that sweet time of year again, so join the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as they unlock the mysteries of maple sugaring! Throughout the month of March, DCR will host activities in state parks across the Commonwealth that will show visitors how sap is collected from trees and boiled down to produce pure maple syrup.

Originally an early Native American tradition, the craft of maple sugaring was adopted by early Puritan settlers and continues to be a strong part of New England heritage today. This tasty delight is produced during a four to six week period that lasts from early March into April.

Traditionally, maple syrup is made by allowing to sap fall into buckets, which are then collected and brought to a sugar house, an outdoor shack containing a cauldron in which the sap is simmered for hours, reducing moisture and condensing the sap into pure syrup. More modern farms are coming up with advanced techniques that use plastic piping that runs from the grove of the sugar maples tress to the sugar house.

Be a part of DCR’s winter maple sugaring activities and experience this process first hand, from start to finish. Come learn, taste, and explore the natural sweetness of New England.

For all maple sugaring programs please wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing. These activities are open to participants of all ages. Most programs are free, unless otherwise noted. For details on events go to http://www.mass.gov/dcr/DCRMapleSugaring.htm.

Hope to see you there!

Rivers to fish in 2012

Tim Purinton

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

View Tim's Bio

Each winter, I create a wish list of which Massachusetts rivers and streams I’m itching to fish once the spring flows recede and aquatic insect activity perks up. This kind of thinking, clearly a coping mechanism, helps me through the dark days of winter (especially with today's late season snowfall). 

Here are some of the rivers on my fish list, in no particular order. Note my preferences typically hinge on fishing small, wild trout streams sometimes tucked away in the corners of the state or in the midst of the suburbs and most often include rivers that we are helping to restore.

  Green River (Leyden and Colrain) – As it flows from the Vermont border, this river is picture perfect. I’m curious to see how Tropical Storm Irene has changed the pool riffle structure since my last trip in 2009. The Department of Ecological Restoration (DER) and the City of Greenfield have been closely examining dam removal options on the lower Green. The other notable Green River in Great Barrington is also a great trout stream worthy of a cast or two.

  North Hoosic River (Clarksburg) – Also located near the Vermont border, the river is gorgeous and full of deep pools that hold year-round trout. A plethora of partners, including DER, assisted with the removal of the Briggsville Dam and I’m interested in fishing the restored river reach to see if how it responds to a bead-head nymph.

 Schenob Brook (Sheffield) – The Nature Conservancy has focused on protecting land along this meandering river in the eastern shadow of Mt. Everett. The brook is relatively sluggish and low gradient and may not yield many brook trout, but I’m curious to get my waders wet in this stream and see what lurks below the surface.

  Amethyst Brook (Pelham) – Smack in the middle of the state, you are only one dam away from the ocean once you step over the banks of Amethyst Brook. As a result you may catch sight of a glass eel burrowing into the stream bottom. This year, the Bartlett Rod Company Dam is planned to be removed, but I’m interested in exploring fishing waters below the dam to see what the habitat looks like prior to river restoration.

  Mill River/Ox Pasture Brook (Rowley) – There has been a local effort to revive the sea-run brook trout population here. Reports are that salters, another term for the trout, are utilizing now accessible sections of Ox Pasture Brook since the lower dam was removed in 2010. This spot is close to home so it’s easy to hit after work.

Dozens more streams come to mind including the Weweantic River, Red Brook, Thousand Acre Brook. What rivers are you thinking about this time of year?