Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

The Guard Life: Do you have what it takes?

Katie 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!

Celebrate Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands - May 11-12!

Tim Purinton

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

View Tim's Bio

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.

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

Reginald Zimmerman

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

View Reginald's Bio

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.

Weekly Outdoor Events - March 25-31: Easter Weekend Fun!

Reginald Zimmerman

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

View Reginald's Bio

 

On Saturday, March 30, head over to the Blue Hills Reservation at 1:00 p.m. for Project Bluebird! Build and “adopt” a Blue Bird box for our feathered friends in the reservation. You build it and we will place it in the park. No need to be a master carpenter to enjoy this program! Tools and materials provided. For ages 8 and up. Email Raymond.F.McKinnon@state.ma.us for registration and meeting place.

On Sunday, March 31, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., investigate vernal pools. Come and learn why vernal pools are a vital part of the ecosystem within the Wachusett watershed. These pools dry up later in the year, but are teaming with an interesting array of life in the spring. Participants will learn how to identify a vernal pool in the field and carefully search within the pool for organisms that rely on this habitat for breeding. This is a program suitable for families. Meet at the Stillwater Farm in Sterling.

And next week, check out Agriculture Day at the Massachusetts State House! Each year, Massachusetts Agriculture Day is held to showcase agricultural products and industry achievements!

On Tuesday, April 2, join hundreds of Massachusetts farmers, agricultural officials, legislators and residents at the State House to celebrate the agricultural industry's contribution to the Commonwealth's culture and economy.The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m.

Animals Can Get Help This Tax Season

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

View Anna's Bio

There’s nothing that brings a smile to your face like watching a dog sprinting across a field to catch a flying Frisbee. Or glimpsing an adventurous cat prowling the garden for adventure.

And what do dogs and cats have to do with agriculture you ask? Well what you may not know is that the Department of Agricultural Resources is also responsible for the health and safety of all of the Commonwealth’s domestic animals. Dogs, cats, chickens, goats, cattle, horses, and more – DAR’s Division of Animal Health helps to ensure the general welfare of companion and food-producing animals across the state through inspections, licensing, awareness and education.

As to our canine and feline friends, dogs and cats enjoy the Great Outdoors as much if not more than we do. And now thanks to a new law recently passed, some of our less fortunate companion animals can receive the responsible care they need.

The Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund is part of a new law that took effect on October 31, 2012. Massachusetts residents may now check off a donation on Line 32f of their 2012 tax return; contributions to this fund will:

• Help reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs by spaying/ neutering animals in shelters and animal control facilities, and provide vaccinations
• Assist families who would not otherwise be able to afford these services for their pets
• Provide training to municipal animal control officers so that they can safely and effectively protect animals and people in their communities

The text of the authorizing statute can be found here.

Looking for a great dog park or hiking trail to go to?  Check out the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s parks page: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/forparks.htm (dogs should be on leash) or there are also a number of off-leash dog parks to explore. These include:

Beecher Street Park, Jamaica Plain
Boston Harbor Islands Dog Cruise, Boston
Charlesgate Dog Run, Boston
Corey Hill Outlook Park, Brookline
Dufresne Park, Granby
Medway off Leash Dog Park, Boston
Peter’s Park, Boston
Pilgrim Bark Park, Provincetown
Sheepfold, Middlesex Fells Reservation, Stoneham
Stoddard Neck, Weymouth
Vietnam Veteran’s Park, Billerica

Weekly Outdoor Events - November 5-11: Summer in Winter!

Jenny Dranetz

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

View Jenny's Bio

Think that going the beach and boat rides are only summer activities? Nope! Here are three fun, outdoor “summer” programs that are perfect for the transition into winter:

Start your beach-filled weekend by helping to clean up Revere Beach on Saturday, November 10 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. As part of the Treasures from Trash program, all litter picked up from the beach will be used to create a sculpture displayed at the Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival this coming July.

Can’t get enough of the sand and the surf? Visit Scusset Beach on Sunday, November 11 for the Discover the Winter Coast interpretive program. From 9:30 am-11:00 am, join the group for a walk on the beach, exploring the dunes, canal, and more!

If sand isn’t your thing, but you still love the water, jump on board the Boston Harbor Islands winter cruises! Kick off the winter cruise season with the Veterans Day Cruise on Sunday, November 11. Departing from Quincy Shipyard at 10:00 am and returning at 2:30 pm or from Long Wharf in Boston at 11:00 am and returning at 2:00 pm, the cruise stops on Georges Island for a tour of Fort Warren.

For more great events happening this and every week, check out our outdoors calendar for events near you.

Think Coastal, Act Global

Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

View Secretary Sullivan's Bio

On October 11, 2012, the Boston skies were a brilliant blue, the temperatures hovered in the mid-60s, and the local weather forecast called for nothing but sun and blue skies all day long. For those wanting to extend summer, all signs pointed to a great beach day.  Or, as 215 students from the Josiah Quincy Upper School in Chinatown were about to find out, a great day for a beach cleanup - the 25th COASTSWEEP cleanup, to be exact. This annual state-wide cleanup organized by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and UMass-Boston’s Urban Harbors Institute takes place at beaches and waterways all over the state during September and October.

 

Along with teachers and parent volunteers, the group combed the beach looking for things that did not belong on the shores. Call it marine debris or plain old trash, the kids collected and catalogued more than 100 pounds of man-made materials, including 406 beverage cans and bottles, 229 food wrappers/containers, random pieces of plastic and metal toys, some shotgun casings, and more than 350 smoking-related items (including cigar tips and cigarette butts, lighters, and packaging). In the “other” category, volunteers found an aluminum cane, a chop stick, broken toys, and two car tires.

 

Carson Beach is one of 186 Massachusetts cleanup spots. And, in addition to helping the beach look a whole lot prettier, the data collected during COASTSWEEP are used as part of a global effort—114 countries around the world participate—to learn more about the sources of marine debris to keep the shores of our beaches, oceans, lakes, streams, and rivers clean. Since 1987, the Ocean Conservancy has recorded every cigarette butt and grand piano that has been removed during the International Cleanup so that ocean managers and policy makers can make informed decisions. (For example, due to the large amount of plastic bags found during cleanups, Italy and San Francisco banned single-use plastic bags, and Ireland added a shopping bag tax that reduced bag use by 90 %.)

Lastly, as the old adage goes, when you go to the beach, take only pictures and leave only footprints. (In other words, please take your trash with you when you go and encourage others to do the same!)

   There is still time to get involved in a local COASTSWEEP cleanup—for a list of cleanups, check out COASTSWEEP2012 Cleanups. 

And for more facts about COASTSWEEP, check out CZM’s “25 Years of Sweeping the Shores of Marine Debris.”

Weekly outdoor events October 15-21

Jenny Dranetz

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

View Jenny's Bio

This week offers a variety of outdoor events ranging from the hills to the beach to the starry night sky! 

Get outdoors mid-week with the weekly Nice & Easy Hike program. Join the group on Wednesday, October 17, at 10:00 am for a one to two mile, easy-pace walk at the Mount Greylock State Reservation. All ages are welcome, and seniors are especially encouraged to participate.

Before you celebrate Halloween, celebrate the 25th anniversary of COASTSWEEP, Massachusetts’ coastal cleanup program! On Saturday, October 20, help clean up Lynn and Nahant Beaches from 9:00 am to 11:00 am or Revere Beach from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Meet at either the Ward Bathhouse in Lynn or the William G. Reinstein Bandstand in Revere.

Just in time for Halloween, the 11th Annual Neponset Pumpkin Float is happening on Saturday, October 20. Put your own carved pumpkin on display as it floats down Davenport Creek! Come to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester at 5:30 pm to check-in and watch the float begin at 6:00 pm. Bonus points to anyone who wears a costume!

Sky’s the limit when it comes to enjoying the outdoors! On Sunday, October 21, admire the stars from Borderland State Park during their special Astronomy Night. Star gazing beings at 7:00 pm with high-powered telescopes available to examine everything from constellations to the moon. 

For more great events happening this and every week, check out our outdoors calendar for events near you.

 

FIELD REPORT: Charles River Shad Restoration

Mark Albano

Social Media Intern, Department of Fish and Game

View Marks's Bio

Earlier this summer, I drove to the Charles River boat access ramp on Woerd Avenue in Waltham to watch the release of 500,000 American shad larvae, in the first of many stockings this year along the Charles. I was met by Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin, Bob Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), Deborah Rocque, Deputy Northeast Regional Director for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Matt Ayer from DFG's Division of Marine Fisheries. This was the first of shad stocking this year; officials plan to release three million larvae into the river as part of the American Shad Propagation Project.

Dozens of community members of all ages stopped by the access ramp to learn about the stocking. They were shown examples of the larvae’s brood or donor stock from the Merrimack River and Matt talked to them about the project’s history. Commissioner Griffin, Bob, Deborah and other members of USFWS also fielded questions concerning the project and its importance to the Charles River habitat.

The project, which was introduced in 2006 to the Charles, has already released approximately 13 million larvae. These larvae are marked with an antibiotic called oxytetracycline which stains the otoliths (the inner ear of the fish) with a permanent mark. American shad take five to six years to return from the ocean to the river of stocking origin, and so it is exciting to hear that some marked adults have begun returning to the Charles.

The shad is a type of herring, and one that is vital to the ecosystem of Massachusetts and the Charles River. While once native to the river, it had disappeared after the construction of dams and introduction of pollution into the river. With both improvements to water quality and the potential for dam removal we are expecting to see a vibrant shad community once again in the Charles.

It was really a fulfilling day and an important one for the environment. While Deborah pointed out that this type of, “conservation does not happen overnight,” it is great for DFG to be able to team up with such forward thinking groups like CRWA and agencies like USFWS for the long-term good of the ecosystem and Massachusetts. As a resident of Massachusetts, I really appreciate the care and work that individuals and agencies put in to our natural resources in order to restore them to their full potential and beauty.

 

Video of the week: Explore our community parks

Hannah Brunelle

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

View Hannah's Bio

Just in time for summer, Massachusetts EEA Secretary Richard Sullivan talks about Massachusetts' community parks and shares some recent images from across the state of recently built or upgraded parks. Over the past four years, the Patrick-Murray Administration has upgraded or built 153 parks in urban communities, which support an array of recreational activities to locals and bring one million visitors each year. These investments have been made through EEA's Gateway City Parks and Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant programs. The PARC program was established to provide assistance to cities and towns to acquire land for parks and recreational purposes. Secretary Sullivan encourages all of us to get outside and enjoy the recently renovated community parks across the state this summer.