New 'land and water' plate supports land protection

The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition has been working with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to establish a new “Land and Water Conservation” license plate program. The Trust’s experience with license plate programs has demonstrated that this can be a stable and sustainable source of funding for land protection. The Registry of Motor Vehicles requires that 3,000 plates be pre-ordered and held with checks sent in advance, before they will put this plate into production. Once the 3,000 checks are received, they will ship the plates to the vehicle owner. If the 3,000 plates are not sold in a year, they return the checks. Contact Bill Hinkley at MET for additional information about the plate or the program in general. He can be reached at 617.626.1177 or william.hinkley@state.ma.us

ORDER FORM & MORE INFO:http://www.masslandandwater.info/

Friends Network Action Alert: Off-Highway Vehicles Legislation

FBH is part of the Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network, an independent grassroots organization of friends groups working together to better protect and enhance Massachusetts’ state forests and urban parks.

The following note is from the Network in support of a bill that would improve management of off-highway vehicles.

Dear Friends,

Please Support Off-Highway Vehicle Legislation.

On January 14, 2009, Representative Smizik submitted a bill to the Legislature based on the Department of Conservation and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Enforcement and Education Working Group Recommendations. DCR convened the group to address regulation and enforcement issues centering on off-highway vehicle use. Members of the Working Group represented a cross section of interested parties, including: friends groups, industry representatives, OHV user groups, environmental groups, law enforcement, Fish and Wildlife, Department of Transportation, Environmental Police and others.

The Working Group recommendations document was turned into a legislative bill filed by Representative Smizik this year. Friends Network Facilitators support Representative Smizik's bill since it represents the work that was done by the OHV Working Group and we believe it has the best chance of passing.

If you or your group would like to see better management and enforcement, support this bill. It is important that you contact your legislators and ask them to sign on as sponsors to the bill.

Take Action
Ask your legislators to contact Representative Smizik before February 4 to sign on.
This is a very comprehensive bill covering almost all aspects of off-highway vehicle use, including ways to fund enforcement and OHV dedicated trails. We will be following the progress of this bill and will keep you informed.

Thank you for your help.

Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network Facilitators

P.S. Learn more about the OHV Working Group here. March 2008 article on the release of the OHV Working Group Recommendations (view article).

To quickly find your legislator's e-mail click here or copy and paste http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php. Be sure to enter your address in title case or it won't work.

For convenience, you can highlight the message below and forward it to your legislators.

Dear

I am writing to ask you to please support legislation regarding off-highway vehicle enforcement and education sponsored by Representative Smizik. The bill he is filing was created by the Department of Conservation and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Enforcement and Education Working Group; a group comprised of twenty-five stakeholders, including representatives of recreational vehicle clubs and environmental groups. Please contact Representative Smizik and let him know you that you would like to sign on as a sponsor of the bill. His e-mail address is: Rep.FrankSmizik@hou.state.ma.us.

Thank you for supporting this bill.


Sincerely,

Help NepRWA raise beetles!

Want to be a beetle-rancher this spring?

Beetle-ranching?, you may ask. Yes, we're helping the Neponset River Watershed Association look for people to raise small beetles ("Galerucella" beetles) to eat the Purple loosestrife plants that have been spreading like wildfire through Neponset wetlands. Purple loosestrife is changing the make-up of these ecosystems and degrading native wildlife habitat. The beetles have an appetite and life cycle very specific to Purple loosestrife.

NepRWA used the Galerucella beetles for the first time, last summer, and they did a marvelous job. We're are looking for your assistance to raise beetles for season #2! The more beetles we produce, the less Purple loosestrife there will be, and the better our local wetland wildlife will fare. Your help is key in this effort.

So, what does it take to be a Beetle-Rancher?

During one day in April, we will dig up wild Purple loosestrife plants at a specific site and pot them. Volunteers will decide how many plants they will care for over the spring, and then they will take the plants home.

Volunteers will care for the Purple loosestrife plants at home. Each volunteer will care for a multiple of 10 to 12 plants; this number of potted plants fits into one kiddie pool, which is used to keep the soil moist. Volunteers decide how many kiddie pools they prefer to manage. At first, plant care will consist of placing the kiddie pool in a sunny spot and keeping the water at a regular level inside the pool. After about a month, when the plants have grown to about a foot and a half in height, volunteers will cover them with nets. At this point, we'll provide volunteers with 10 beetles to apply to each of their plants. For about a month more, volunteers will continue to maintain the water levels in the kiddie pool and keep an eye on their beetles and their offspring.

Volunteers will bring the beetle-laden plants out to a field site. During a date in July, volunteers will transport their plants to a pre-selected field site. There, we'll remove the netting to allow the beetles and larvae to clamber out to feed on more Purple loosestrife.

Volunteers will pick-up the Purple loosestrife pots from the wetlands in October.

Beetle-ranching is a great activity for individuals, families, civic associations, schools, classes, clubs, religious organizations, scouts, and others. Please forward this message to anyone you know who may be interested in participating! Contact NepRWA to become a Beetle-Rancher, or for answers to any questions: rocklen@neponset.org, 781-575-0354 x303. Learn more about this Purple loosestrife biocontrol project: click here.

Membership Coordinator Opening

Membership Coordinator

Position Opening

The Friends of the Blue Hills is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Blue Hills Reservation in its natural state and serve as a watchdog of activities that might adversely affect it. To accomplish this we: 1) Advocate for actions that will enhance the Reservation; 2) Encourage involvement in the protection and preservation of the Reservation by all users; 3) Guide enthusiasts in exploring the nearby remoteness of the BHR through educational, historical, and nature hikes; and 4) Work with the Massachusetts DCR to maintain the quality of the Reservation and provide public input for its management.

We have enjoyed a dramatic increase in membership and volunteers in the last four years and are looking for an individual to help us sustain and grow our membership. Because FBH does not have a central office, the Coordinator will work from home.

Responsibilities: The Membership Coordinator will be responsible for administrative tasks associated with member communications, including:

• Develop and implement strategies for increasing membership
• Explore electronic media for membership acquisition
• Further develop acquisition, renewal and acknowledgement packages
• Prepare mailings associated with member communications
• Coordinate mailings with volunteers
• Organize mail-stuffing gatherings for volunteers and members
• Represent FBH at fairs and festivals, when needed
• Data entry

Qualifications:

• Detail oriented.
• Enjoy working with volunteers.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access or other database programs and word processing programs a plus.
• Self motivated.
• Access to a car.
• Available for some evening meetings.
• Ability to follow instruction without close supervision.
• Interest in the Blue Hills or land protection desired.
  

Hours:Approximately 15 hours/week, flexible hours, some evening hours required.

To Reply: Send cover letter and resume to: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org or call 781-828-1805 for more information.

The Friends of the Blue Hills is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, ethnic background, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Chickatawbut Hill Ed Center's New Name

According to the January 8 Milton Times, recent legislation, filed by Senator Brian Joyce, officially renames the Chickatawbut Hill Education Center in honor of Norman Smith. Senator Joyce said he introduced legislation to change the name to the Norman Smith Environmental Education Center at Chickatawbut Hill, "as a small token of appreciation for Norman's invaluable service to the fields of conservation and education, as well as to the commonwealth."

Norman Smith has worked for the Massachusetts Audubon Society since 1974 and currently serves as the Trailside Museum's director, as well as the Chickatawbut Hill Education Center.

Congratulations Norman!

Part-time Website Developer/Designer Wanted

Position: Website Developer/Designer

Organization: Friends of the Blue Hills

Our Mission: The Friends of the Blue Hills is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the Blue Hills Reservation in its natural state and serve as a watchdog of activities that might adversely affect it. To accomplish this we: 1) Advocate for actions that will enhance the Reservation; 2) Encourage involvement in the protection and preservation of the Reservation by all users; 3) Guide enthusiasts in exploring the nearby remoteness of the BHR through educational, historical, and nature hikes; and 4) Work with the Massachusetts DCR to maintain the quality of the Reservation and provide public input for its management.

Resources: The Website Intern will be supervised by the FBH Webmaster. There is no central office; the intern will perform work off-site.

Tasks:
* Using a template, develop content for new web pages, including pages that: highlight recommended trails, including maps, descriptions, photos and ways for visitors to add comments; introduce visitors to the Blue Hills, including photos, history, recreational resources, weather links and more.

* Update archived web pages with our new template.

Qualifications:
* Must have knowledge of HTML and CSS and experience with scripting. Experience with graphic design tools preferred. Interest in the Blue Hills or an understanding of land conservation principles desired.

Compensation: Determined on a project-by-project basis.

To Reply: Send cover letter and resume to: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org or call 781-828-1805 for more information.

The Friends of the Blue Hills is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, ethnic background, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Invasives Meeting Report

Last Friday five FBHers met with representatives from organizations that address invasive species in and around the Blue Hills. We asked representatives from the Neponset River Watershed Initiative (NepRWA), the New England Wildflower Society (NEWFS) and the Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) what sorts of initiatives they are involved in and how best FBH can best enhance their efforts.

Some ideas include: organizing events next summer with DCR; training volunteers to survey and report invasives throughout the park; networking with NEWFS to recruit volunteers; working with NepRWA to recruit volunteers to grow beetles that feed on the invasive purple loosestrife.

You can learn more at our next Outreach Committee Meeting, this Monday, January 12, 6:30 pm, 93 Hillside St, Milton. If you can't make the meeting and are interested in helping, just email us: info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

Trails Program Update

The fresh blanket of snow last week closed out the trail work for the year. It has been a very successful year with the addition of the Adopt-A-Trail Program and twelve organized trailwork events. We continue to attract many new volunteers to the trails and our trails are beginning to show signs of improvement. We want to thank each and every one of you and encourage you to make trail maintenance, a year-round activity. We hope you bring your friends and families to the trails to show them the great work we’ve done and hopefully inspire them to join us in our trailwork activities. The New Year is a great time to start something new… why not become a trail maintainer or Adopter?? Please read on to learn more about our program.

Accomplishments for 2008

Conducted 12 trailwork events with 155 volunteers contributing over 619 hours of work

Performed trail assessment on 80% of the trails in the Reservation

Developed database to track trail assessments and work reports from Adopters and trail events. The database is accessible from the FBH website. http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/

Added Trails Program information to the enhanced FBH website

Obtained three grants for the Trails Program totaling $11,000

Initiated the Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) Program

Eighteen newly minted Adopters signed up to take their commitment to the program to a new level. These Adopters contributed over 240 hours on-trail maintenance this year.

Please visit the Friends website to see a complete list of Adopters and their trail. We welcome Denise Butler, Amir Degany and Cheryl Lathrop since out last update.

Trail work dates for 2009 Announced:

Trail work events will be conducted on the following dates (all Saturdays, 9am – 1pm):

May 2 and 16, June 6, July 11, August 8, September 5, October 3

May 16 is DCR Park Serve Day and June 6 is National Trails Day

Work parties meet at Houghton’s Pond parking lot on Hillside Street.

Lunch will be provided at the end of each event

Attendees should wear long pants, sturdy boots, work gloves and bring water, sun block and bug spray.

We will provide all the tools and training.

AAT Classroom Training – Saturday, April 4^th (9:30 am – 1 pm)

We will be conducting a classroom training for those interested in becoming Adopters. The training will consist of a review of the handbook, discussion of the requirements of the program and will be followed by a trail hike to view recent train maintenance. The class is required for those who want to become an Adopter. Please email Bob Flagg to register for the training. The training will take place at the Brookwood Farm house on Blue Hill River Raod.

Adopters who signed up in 2008 and did not attend last years training should plan to attend this years training.

AMC Members Step Up to Work on the Trails

Members of the Southeast Mass Chapter have contributed a significant amount of time to perform trail maintenance at our work events and as Adopters of several trails. Bob Vogel has been instrumental in organizing volunteers to join him on his forays in the Reservation.

The Narraganset Chapter, under the leadership of Chris Shafer, has conducted two self organized work events on the trails.

Don Hoffses of the Boston Chapter has been key to provide incentives to our new Adopters under the Coleman Challenge and to offer his experience to suggest solutions to problems on the trail.

Visit our 2008 Trailwork sites

Trailwork was performed on over 20 trails in the Reservation including Bugbee Path, Braintree Path, Bouncing Brook Path, Accord Path, Skyline Trail, Border Path, Wolcott Path, Quarries Foot Path and Puddle Path.

Significant work has been done on Sawcut Notch Path and the area around the notch. We encourage you to visit the worksite to see the work completed to keep the water in the ditch and off the trail.

Call to Trailwork Event Leaders and Section Leaders

As our Trail Maintenance and AAT programs continue to expand, we seek interested individuals to become leaders for our programs. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop leadership skills while working with our new members to teach them the necessary skills to conduct maintenance. We welcome the chance to work with new leaders to gain the confidence to perform this vital role.

Stipends are available for new leaders to attend leadership and skill workshops with other organizations such as AMC and New England Mountain Bike Association.

Please contact Bob Flagg if you are interested in learning how you can become a leader.

DCR Releases Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual

DCR has released their guidelines for trail maintenance in state parks. The guidelines describe the requirements under which our program must be conducted. Specifically, cautions are noted for maintenance in areas that may be home do endangered species. DCR has designated areas east of Route 28 as areas that may only receive maintenance during the months of November – March each year.

Adopters should keep in mind that we are allowed to perform basic maintenance in the Reservation. Construction of waterbars and other drainage structures should not be undertaken without prior approval for the work. The first step is to review your new construction with either Bob Flagg or Dexter Robinson. They will advise if additional approvals are required from DCR. We must stay within the DCR guidelines in order to maintain our good standing with DCR.

Advocacy Committee Meeting

Join us for the next Advocacy Committee meeting, January 14, 7:00 pm. Location to be announced. High on the agenda will be discussing FBH's position to hilltop development. (Think wind turbines and expansion at the Observatory.)

Contact us for location: 781-828-1805 or info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org

Hope to see you there!