Ranger Dispatch

Bureau of Ranger Services

251 Causeway Street y Boston, MA y (617) 626-4963

Volume 2, Number 1 Winter 2008

No Child Left Inside & The Great Park Pursuit: Reconnecting Families with Nature Table of Contents event will be held. At the events park rangers will help them participate in outdoor recreation challenges as well as No Child Left Inside 1 enjoy skill-building and nature-based First Day Festivities 2 learning activities.

The first event will take place on Snowy Start to New Year 3 Saturday, May 10th at Borderland State Park. Each week is filled with new Maple Sugaring Events 4 outdoor adventures to discover and

Rangers Ride Again 5 enjoy. Teams will hike along forested trails, learn to fish, pitch a tent and roast What is No Child Left Inside? Park Watch 5 s’mores, discover secrets of the coast, It’s a promise, a pledge designed to help and even ride in a horse drawn wagon! DCR SAR Managers 5 today’s children reconnect with the Teams will compete for the grand prize great outdoors, while building the next packages. Park Passport Update 6 generation of environmental stewards. The Great Park Pursuit is part of the The DCR is gearing up for this year’s Seasonal Ranger Academy 7 “No Child Left Inside” initiative, event, and we look forward to reuniting designed to encourage Massachusetts with teams from last year’s event, as 2008 Mooring Schedule 7 families and visitors to enjoy all the well as meeting new teams, as we all recreational resources and outdoor explore our state forests and parks on 2007 NEPRA Conference 7 activities that the Massachusetts state this great family adventure! parks system has to offer! Registration will begin in mid-April. W Going the Extra Mile 8

From health and fitness, to learning and Civilian Conservation Corps 10 fun, to creating great family memories – the Massachusetts Department of State House Detachment 11 Conservation and Recreation wants to introduce residents and visitors to the Chief’s Corner 12 more than 400 special places across the state to be discovered, treasured and

shared.

The Great Park Pursuit is a team-based adventure activity. Participating teams are challenged to visit different state forests and parks over a six-week period Register to play at as part of a fun family adventure. Teams www.greatparkpursuit.org will get clues weekly to where the next

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First Day Festivities Festoon State and Urban Parks Barbara Buls, Acting Deputy Chief; Bureau of Ranger Services, Interpretive Services

What a year 2007 was for the Central Region the life and teachings of our native No Child Left Inside initiative in Blackstone River and Canal son, Henry David Thoreau, at our parks! We started off with a Heritage State Park Walden Pond. bang, hosting the Great Park Moore State Park Pursuit (GPP) in May and June, Dunn State Park Hot chocolate was distributed moved onto the Wachusett Kid’s by the Bureau, and supplemented Fest in September, and for the Western Region by other delectibles such as roasted winter, began the New Year in full DAR State Forest chestnuts and chestnut/pumpkin force with First Day Hikes. Kenneth Dubuque Memorial soup to emphasize “healthy eating” State Forest to our park visitors. Historically an Urban Parks The weather cooperated by tradition, we decided to expand State-wide, over 1200 visitors sending us various conditions; this successful program by attended the First Day Hikes, with pouring rain at Halibut Point, instituting First Day Hikes in State the Blue Hills at 700 attendees, crunchy snow underfoot at Walden Parks. These hikes have long been Breakheart with 80, and a State Pond, and fluffy New Year’s snow very popular in the Blue Hills and Parks total attendance of over 470. in many of the locations – the hike Breakheart Reservation, and GPP 2007 participants were at Dubuque was actually a snow became a great experiment for notified and many joined in the fun shoe trip! The photos below show parks outside of Rt. 128. State of winter programming. the beauty that winter creates in Parks Hikes were held in the following locations: our forests. As we go deep into the winter

Staff was very cooperative in months, we can look forward to Southeast Region creating avenues to provide this the Great Park Pursuit 2008 which Waquoit Bay National programming, and themes of hikes will feature the Civilian Estuarine Research Reserve rounded out the experience – seal Conservation Corps 75th Ellisville Harbor State Park viewing in Ellisville Harbor, Anniversary. In the meantime, Massasoit State Park cardiac health and the value of visitors are encouraged to continue using our beautiful properties even Northeast Region winter exercise at Moore, in the throes of winter. Happy Walden Pond State Reservation landscape use and forest regrowth New Year! W Halibut Point State Park history at Dubuque, not to mention

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A Snowy Start to the New Year By Lieutenant Kathryn Ward, Quabbin Highlands District

On January 1st, the forecast for the ‘Snow Belt’ called for heavy snow with snow accumulating in Gardner at over an inch per hour. At 11:00 am the snow began and Bill Schold, Bill Adams, Sue Sienkiewiez and I were already preparing for our First Day Hikers to arrive. Sue started and stoked a welcoming fire in the large stone fireplace in the Pond House while Bill and Bill worked to keep up with clearing the snow from the walkways. Tips on getting healthy and being ‘green’ awaited the guests along with hot chocolate. Soon people were shaking off the snow and stamping their boots entering the Pond House to meet up with the other like-minded first-dayers.

At 12:00 sharp, the group gathered on the front steps for a welcome, an overview of the day’s event, and a handed out the “I hiked in a state park on New Year’s group picture. Forty-one people were on the pond loop Day” stickers. The group sat by the fire enjoying hot hike including such notables as Director Priscilla Geigis, chocolate and had conversation about what they saw on District Manager Evelyn Jimenez, a volunteer from the trail. Kids examined the route they hiked on the big AMC Cees Vaneijk, as well as a family that attended all map and showed their parents how far they went. Some of last year’s Great Park Pursuit events, and my little folks wrote on a big board what their New Year’s black Labrador, Lady. Hikers followed the large orange resolutions were or what they are doing to be ‘green’. coat and snowshoe footprints of the ranger through the falling snow. Along the 1.5 mile route we stopped a few By 2:00 pm the ice rink had a blanket of snow and times and talked about recreation at Dunn Pond, the No the hikers’ tracks were quickly disappearing. Many Child Left Inside initiative, the Great Park Pursuit, and thanks were offered for a great event and the group New Year’s parted with a renewed spirit of getting outdoors more resolutions. Kids said often in the New Year. W they felt like they were in the movie SEASONAL HIRING Narnia and a few pulled tree boughs full of snow to The flyers are now available for distribution ‘snow’ their friends wherever good candidates can be found. or the ranger. Sue They cover openings for State & Urban guided a small group Rangers, Boston Harbor Island Rangers, a on a shortcut back early, but the supervisory Ranger II for the Islands, BHI majority trekked the Ranger Kayaker and State Park Interpreter. entire 1.5 hours. Please go to the link below to view and print out the flyers. Upon their return, the staff greeted and congratulated all of the hikers and http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/ interp/interp.htm#job

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MAPLE SUGARING EVENTS

March is maple sugaring time in identification, tappings, history sugaring tours at the Krug New England, and plans are of maple sugaring, wood Sugarbush for school groups, underway for this year’s maple harvesting, sap boiling, and beginning the second week in sugaring programs in the sampling of real maple syrup March. Groups can schedule Department of Conservation and on pancakes and popcorn. tours in either the morning Recreation’s (DCR) state and urban These activities are open to the (after 10 a.m.) or afternoon, but parks. The following locations public on March 15 & 16, 10 should contact D.A.R. no accept and encourage reservations a.m. – 2 p.m., suggested earlier than a week in advance for organized educational and donation is $5 per person (or $4 to allow for the best prediction nonprofit groups beginning this if you bring a canned good for of weather and sugaring month. No reservations are contribution to a local food conditions. Call 413-268-7098. necessary for individuals or bank!). Pre-registration for families who want to attend DCR’s school groups and non-profits is maple sugaring events. required and can be arranged by For more information on these phone (781-438-1388) and other events, please visit • Maple Sugar Days. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 DCR’s website at Massachusetts Audubon p.m. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm Society’s Blue Hills Trailside W Museum in Milton offers group • Blackstone River and Canal tours of maple sugaring Heritage State Park in techniques from Brookwood Uxbridge offers maple Farm in the Blue Hills sugaring demonstrations and Reservation from mid-February lessons in how to make your through March. Learn the own maple syrup at home, process of turning sap to sugar, hosted by the Blackstone see a real evaporator, and Valley Sugaring Association. sample a traditional maple Visitors can watch syrup being syrup snack. Contact the Blue made, sample maple products, Hills Trailside Museum (617- see trees being tapped, 333-0690) for further participate in gathering sap, and information and to make visit the park’s sugar house. reservations. Also, the public is Limited group tours will be invited to attend Maple Sugar offered during the first three Days on March 8 & 9, 10 a.m. weekends in March (March 1 & – 4 p.m.. Admission is $5 for 2, March 8 & 9, and March 15 adults and $3 for children ages & 16) beginning at 9 a.m. 3-12. Contact the Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association (508-278- • Breakheart Reservation in 5274) or Saugus offers free programs for www.blackstonevalleysugaring.org

schools and nonprofit groups Captain Maggi Brown demonstrates maple Monday-Friday, March 10- • D.A.R. State Forest in sugaring to a young visitor at the Blue March 14. Tours include tree Goshen will arrange maple Hills Trailside Museum in Milton.

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Rangers Ride Park Watch DCR SAR Managers Magnets Update Skills Again Appearing on a Rangers who function as search We are excited to announce that managers have recently started a this year we will be bringing back Refrigerator Near series of certified trainings to the mounted unit to DCR! For update or augment their skills. those of you who weren’t aware, You! Offered by Northeast Wilderness both the MDC and DEM had Search and Rescue, courses are mounted units in years past that Deputy Chief Adam Parr and being held at the Massachusetts were phased out due to budget Ranger John Garvey, with the State Police Academy through the shortfalls; but thanks to legislative assistance of the DCR sign shop spring. Based on their individual support they will return this spring. and graphics office have produced needs, Ranger III’s Steve a magnet to hand out promoting Ouellette, Jenn Stowe, Jeanne DCR will be purchasing up to Park Watch. Gilleney-DeCenzo, and Bob three horses this spring along with Rando are attending along with a truck and 2 trailers. The horses Curt Rudge, Chris Williams, and will be boarded at a nearby stable Kevin Tucker. Courses include in the Blue Hills and patrols will ‘Managing the Lost Person emanate from there. Mounted Incident’, ‘Urban Search Rangers will be patrolling the Blue Similar to Neighborhood Crime Management’, ‘SAR Planning’, Hills along with other DCR Watch, Park Watch was developed and ‘C.A.S.I.E. III’, the SAR facilities throughout Eastern to encourage park visitors, user management software program. W Massachusetts. groups, and neighbors to be ‘eyes

and ears’ for the parks to report The program will be assigned problems, suspicious activities, to the Bureau and directly Calling all Rangers! and safety concerns. The toll free supervised by Deputy Chief Chris phone number, 1-866-PKWATCH, Ranger Kathy Ward is collecting Williams who is setting up the unit is answered by the rangers at the photographs of park rangers in in consultation with several former State House base and the reports action in hopes of creating a slide MDC and DEM mounted program are relayed to the appropriate show or short promotional video. If staff. A Ranger II position will be Regional Ranger. W you have photographs you would filled this Spring to assist with like to contribute, please send in daily horse care, stable relations, digital format on a CD to: Clinton and patrols. Additional Ranger WANTED Field Office, Attn: Kathy Ward, PO positions are being recommended School Crossing Guards. The Box 155, Clinton, MA 01510. If you for the next fiscal year. Rangers like, include a written or electronic from outside the unit who have DCR is hiring school Crossing Guards to work part-time in note on who took the photograph(s) been ‘certified’ for mounted patrol so they may be credited. will be occasionally utilized to selected areas throughout Boston maintain planned patrol levels. W and greater Boston. Please call Christine Kurker at 617-626-1421 for more information.

2008 conference: march 5, college of the holy cross, worcester details: www.massmees.org

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5. A stamp making machine has been acquired by DCR Park Passport the agency to create stamps in house. This is cost effective and will make replacing stamps Update easy and quick. By Ranger Peter Michaels, Central Region 6. The Passport design has been finalized and is now being laid out by designer Martin The Park Passport Program has been moving full Beveridge for printing. steam ahead. Jason Hunt, Kathy Ward and Peter 7. Peter Michaels has been designated as Park Michaels have all been working hard to see the program Passport “Program Manager” come to fruition. Here are some updates since our last 8. The park stamps are almost complete. They report: have been created by Micha Archer and look incredible! 1. The Passport release date has been moved to 9. A website component of the program is under May 2008 development. 2. Stickers included with the passport will depict recreational activities instead of a park stamp Jason, Kathy and Pete will be presenting an update image of the program at the Supervisor’s Academy in April 3. Bureaus will receive stickers instead of stamps and will be demonstrating passport box installation (Ranger Services, Fire, Universal Access) methods. This has been a very exciting project to work 4. Stamps will be housed in Passport Boxes on and we are all looking forward to the release date in (created by Skinner Park Crew; Mike Smyth, May. W Dave Rogalski and Bob Findlater). The boxes were incorporated into the program to alleviate dependency on park staff to have to distribute stamps.

Passport Stamp

Passport Cover Passport Box

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After a hearty catered buffet Seasonal 2007 NEPRA lunch/networking session, the Conference resumed with two Ranger Conference more guest speakers. Sargeant Academies TBA McCarthy of the Massachusetts On November 29, 2007, the State Police gave an introduction New England Park Ranger Planning has begun for the to self defense techniques. After Association, aka NEPRA, hosted annual academies. Held previous that, LT Hermes, also of the MSP, its annual conference at the Doyle to Memorial Day for the State provided instruction and guidance Conservation Center in Park Rangers and prior to the on writing effective reports, and Leominster. The event was busier season for the Urban and how to prepare for courtroom attended by over 50 guests, Boston Harbor Island Rangers, the proceedings. representing such agencies as the academies will continue to US Army Corps of Engineers, the Before wrapping up the provide required training for a Danvers Park System, and the conference, winners of the raffle successful, effective, and safe Massachusetts Department of prizes, which included a place to season. Rangers Jennifer Stowe Conservation and Recreation. stay in Costa Rica, were and Alex Hall have volunteered to announced. A tour of the host steer the effort and have already The Keynote Speaker, former facility, owned and operated by started the discussions on program DCR Commissioner Kathy the Trustees of Reservations, was content and academy logistics. All Abbott, spoke about the offered to guests before their rangers are encouraged to suggest importance of partnering within departure. course ideas, skill set needs, and the ranger profession. Following to volunteer to assist in many that, Ed Rizzotto of the National This year’s conference is ways. W tentatively set for November 20, Park Service presented a screening of the film “The Thin same location, so be sure to mark 2008 Mooring Green Line”, which documents your calendars! W the challenges and dangers faced Steve Carlin, Supervisor of Great Schedule by park rangers around the world. Brook Farm State Park, and DCR Ranger Liann Graff and look over the The lottery for public moorings at Poor Man’s Landing in the raffle prizes.

Charles River Basin will begin shortly. This program is a unique and inexpensive option for boaters during the summer months. The cost for use of a mooring in this program is just $6 per foot of the vessel length. Please call 617-626-

1416 for more information on this program, and to obtain an application.

Applications Available: Mar 20 – May 1

All Applications In By: May 2, 2008

Date of Lottery: May 2, 2008

Mooring Season: May 15 – Nov 13

All Moorings out of the Water by: Nov 14

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Going the Extra Mile By Captain Jennifer Stowe, Northeast Region

“ Life’s most persistent and 68th birthday. During the 10 years he/she may go missing. Jason and urgent question is, what are you of treatment, she took part in his wife have been blessed this doing for others.” – Martin clinical trials that were on the year with a beautiful baby girl, Luther King cutting edge of cancer treatment. and have devoted much of his free By all accounts, she was a huge time with her, but plans on On the job, park rangers face success story for Mass General continuing his work with the long hours, inclement weather, Hospital, and her life was Mason organization when time and large crowds to say the least. extended years beyond allows. Have you ever wondered what expectation, while her quality of rangers do on their down time? A life never suffered…In September Lt. Kathy Ward, Division of recent inquiry found four rangers 2006, Mike and his family State Parks, Central Region that choose to spend some of their participated in their 1st Komen free time in the service of others. Race for the Cure in their “Getting dirty”… Kathy has Why do they do it? For one, it’s a mother’s memory and they plan to spent much of her free time this way for a family to deal with a continue participating for many past year volunteering for the personal loss and in turn help years to come. They welcome Trustees of Reservations, the others. For another, it’s a way to anyone else who would like to oldest conservation organization give back to a group who can‘t join them. For more information, in the nation! She has really defend themselves. As you read go to www.komen.org enjoyed volunteering at the each of these stories, take a Stevens-Coolidge place planting moment to consider how you Lt. Jason Hunt, Division of flowers in the French garden, could volunteer. Whether it be a State Parks, Central Region deadheading in the perennial one time contribution or a weekly garden and pruning and watering mission, keep in mind the words “Angel fund”- “CHIP”… Not in the greenhouse and gardens. of Mahatma Ghandi when he said many people know that Lt. Jason Want to see some pictures of this “The best way to find yourself, is Hunt is a member of the Mason former estate? Go to to lose yourself in the service of Organization. Through this group www.thetrustees.org. Just others” he has worked on several recently, Kathy has begun the charities. Included in this process of volunteering with Big Captain Mike Nelson, Division charitable work is the “Angel Brothers, Big Sisters. She has of Urban Parks, North Region Fund” in which they raise money submitted an application, had the to purchase jackets, pants, etc. for interview, and is currently waiting “Susan G. Komen for the Cure” children who do not have them. for a Little Sister. The is an organization that is dedicated How it works is a teacher comes organization takes their match to fighting breast cancer. Their to the group privately with a placements seriously and Kathy is main source of income is the request for a student he/she may very excited to get started. Want Komen Race for the Cure, which have seen without something. No to make a difference yourself? Go is a 5K Road Race/Walk that is questions asked, the group will go to www.bbbs.org. Both of these held in over 100 locations all over out and buy whatever that child organizations are on the list of the country and internationally. needs. Another program is the approved non-profits for the State The race raises money for breast “CHIP” program or child Employees Responding as cancer awareness, research, and identification program. The group Volunteers (SERV) program. all aspects of quality care. Mike will go to a school that requests it lost his mother after a 10 year and take videos, DNA, and dental battle with cancer in August, impressions and give all items to a 2005, a couple weeks before her parent/guardian for that time when

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Captain Jennifer Stowe, life. Last winter, I attended a few MSPCA takes in animals on a Division of State Parks, equine seminars hosted by the daily basis. Some are surrendered Northeast Region MSPCA at Nevins Farm and my by owners who can no longer care eyes were opened to the for their pet, and others are “Horsing around”…. For those wonderful work that the MSPCA acquired through cases of neglect who know me, you are well aware does for this state. I signed up to and/or abuse. The MSPCA relies of my passion for our four legged volunteer for the equine/ farmyard on fundraising, donations and friends. Conversations with me animal division at the Methuen volunteers to provide for all of usually end up talking about complex and haven’t looked back. these animals, and to rehabilitate Emmitt (SAR dog), Elliot or that One day a week, is spent at the and place in new homes. For “crazy” horse Oliver. I consider farm, where I help the incredible more information go to myself lucky and privileged to staff, with morning chores, www.MSPCA.org W have these wonderful pets in my grooming, repairs, etc. The

Captain Jennifer Stowe with “Monty”, who is awaiting adoption at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm

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Celebrate the Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy By Alec Gillman, VSS Mount Greylock SR/DCR CCC Program Committee Coordinator

*Editor’s Note: This is part one of a three part series on the Civilian Conservation Corps, being published in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of the CCC.

During the Great Depression, from 1933-42, one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first New Deal initiatives was the creation of Emergency Conservation Work (ECW), popularly known as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This federal program provided critical resources for conservation and recreation on public lands and work opportunities for unemployed young men and veterans.

The CCC program in Massachusetts had about 65 camps and enrolled 100,000 men, working on camp construction, road building, forestry, fire hazard reduction, pest control, wildlife habitat enhancement, and recreation area development, mostly on state forest land. 2008 marks the 75th anniversary of this remarkable public program. Consider your involvement in celebrating and interpreting the legacy that served as a catalyst; to develop tenants of modern conservation, which dramatically changed America’s natural resource treasures, and formed a cornerstone of the Massachusetts State Park system.

Roosevelt's Tree Army

Throughout his early political career in New York state Franklin D. Roosevelt spearheaded programs conserving forests, fish and game and pioneered legislation for managed forestry and reforestation. An a prelude to the Corps, when governor in 1931, Roosevelt supported a temporary emergency relief administration, which hired the unemployed to work in reforestation projects clearing underbrush, fighting fires, controlling insects, constructing roads and trails, improving forest ponds and lakes, and developing recreation facilities.

Across the nation development of state parks was in its infancy. In 1921 only 19 states had had any kind of state park system. By 1925 all 48 states had begun to formulate some park development plans, but the depression had halted most of their developmental work. During the Great Depression, similarly, other states, including California, Washington, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania (under the direction of Governor Gifford Pinchot, and former first Chief of the US Forest Service), Michigan, and Indiana, were hiring or planning for the unemployed to do conservation work.

Shortly after taking office in March of 1933 the Roosevelt introduced an unemployment relief bill for the employment of men on public works projects and conservation tasks urging: 1933-

This enterprise is an established part of our national policy. It will conserve our precious natural resources. It will pay dividends to the present and future generations. It will make improvements in national and state domains which have been largely forgotten in the past few years of industrial development

Soon after it passed, in less than one month, it was implemented in April. The Army was responsible for operating and supervising the camps, while the National Park Service and US Forest Service were to be responsible for the work projects. Through their efforts there was a three fold increase in the number of visitors to state parks by 1936. W

*Part 2 of this series will be published in the next edition of the Ranger Dispatch

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State House Detachment By Sean P. Dowd, State House Ranger

Belated Happy New Year wishes to our fellow recent considerations of note including the state DCR employees from all of us with the State budget and a new law banning motorists from cell House Rangers. We find ourselves now in the phone use while driving. The Governor’s annual post-holiday doldrums bringing the number of State of the State address drew thousands of tourists down, but unabated are our visitors from spectators to the house chambers and beyond as Hollywood. video screens and audio relay provided for viewing in other areas of the building. The State House has undergone several set changes in recent months, playing host to two State House Rangers recently assisted State major motion picture productions. Perhaps with Police and Secret Service during a visit by no small hint of irony, for several days the State Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to House was even made up to resemble the Governor Deval Patrick. Vatican as part of a new ‘Pink Panther’ movie. Due for release this fall ‘The Lonely Maiden’ Finally, we would like to ask you all to keep in starring Morgan Freeman and Christopher Walken your thoughts Captain Steven Owens of the State was also filmed at State House over the winter. House Detachment as he recovers from recent surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.W As ever, the Legislature keeps things active with

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Chief’s Corner By Curt Rudge, Chief Ranger We want to

Under the topic of expanding our And under the topic of what’s hear from you!! world, DCR is an active member of a old is new, we are very excited number of new projects, and the about bringing back our mounted Comments, thoughts and Bureau of Ranger Services has been unit. As most of you remember, suggestions are always chosen to be a key player as these both DEM and MDC had mounted welcome, as are projects unfold. Governor Deval units some years back but both were contributions. If you have Patrick created the Massachusetts disbanded due to a lack of funding. something you’d like to Mobility Compact with a vision “To Thanks to the efforts of many, the share in this Newsletter, promote and coordinate planning, legislature has brought back please send it in! design, construction and operations” in mounted patrols to DCR. Although a manner that “…..will increase the you will find more about the unit safe mobility of people throughout the elsewhere in this newsletter, I just commonwealth”. What this means to wanted to note the return and Department of us is that we will be establishing a list identify Deputy Chief Williams as Conservation & Recreation of all critical DCR infrastructure the supervisor and lead person for Bureau of Ranger Services including dams, bridges and roadways. the program. Attn: Holly Bartlett Once the list is complete a process will 251 Causeway St, Ste 800 be introduced to evaluate and prioritize Finally, back under the topic of Boston, MA 02114 the security aspect of each and expansion, we are thrilled that eight recommend measures to assure their new park ranger positions will be security. filled this spring under the Or e-mail at: Another new initiative by the department’s beaches initiative. administration is the Massachusetts This is the first time in years that [email protected] such a significant move forward has Recovery Alliance under the umbrella been made to promote the duties of of MEMA. Again the bureau is taking park rangers and we are greatful for a lead role in this effort and is a the support Commissioner Rick member of the Infrastructure and Sullivan has demonstrated for our Community Planning Subcommittee. program. The challenges associated Specifically, the Alliance is charged with all these initiatives are with putting together a plan to help significant, such as equipping and communities recover from a natural or man-made disaster. Currently, plans training new staff or assembling are in place to deal with mitigation, everything necessary to restart a preparation and response, but the mounted unit, but I am absolutely recovery piece has not been well certain that we welcome with organized and the post Katrina enthusiasm each challenge and look situation has exposed the need. forward to our future.W

Congratulations are in order for State House Ranger Kim Antonelli for preventing a potentially dangerous situation on Monday, February 11, when an identified suspect of a series of threatening phone calls directed at a state legislator attempted to gain access to the State House. Ranger Antonelli recognized and detained the individual until State Police arrived. Kudos to Ranger Antonelli on It’s Your Nature her vigilance and dedication to duty. W

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