The Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network 2nd Annual Conference October 24, 2009
Keynote Address: The Hidden Forest Corners of Massachusetts
Robert T. Leverett, Executive Director Eastern Native Tree Society
Executive Director Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest.
Contributing author to Wilderness Comes Home: Rewilding the Northeast
Robert T. Leverett, Executive Director Eastern Native Tree Society, Executive Director Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest.
Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network 2009 Volunteer of the Year, Claudia Hurley, Robinson State Park
Ten reasons why Claudia Hurley received the award (as written by her nominators)
1. Beneficial in creating the image that "We" the people will not give up on the forestry issues in the State
2. Uses her brilliance saving many parks and forests from the threat of commercial
Claudia Hurley accepts the MFPFN logging Volunteer of the Year Award. Helping present are: Carol Gilmore and Lucy 3. Saving our open space is so important Gionfriddo, Friends of Robinson State Park, to her it's become her full time job, and Mike Toomey, Friends of Douglas State Forest. including overtime and all with out pay
4. Visits to forests in question, attending various meetings THROUGHOUT the State
5. Investigating and researching, reaching out to various experts for answers
6. Helping other groups with their causes
7. Willingness to listen to all perspectives and interest groups (including state officials and private forestry interests) has contributed enormously to the DCR Forest Vision and changes in DCR's land management approach
8. Stopped Robinson from being logged and is now trying to stop commercial logging on all state conservation and recreation land
9. Helped start friends of Robinson State Park
10. Devotes hours and hours to protecting our forests; assertive, expert, and diplomatic, Claudia is making a huge impact on the discussion—her work gives me hope!
Congratulations, Claudia, and thank you.
Conference Materials
The Friends Network in Action —Slide Show of Friends groups’ projects 2009, edited by Mike Ryan.
Forest Future Report Slide Show
The Friends Network facilitators thank:
Lawrence Adams, Executive Director and Trish Settles, Principal Planner at the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) for hosting the Friends Network Conference again this year—Thank you!
A special thank you to Dick Miller for technical assistance and the use of his computer gear!
And a big thank you to MFPFN Facilitator Mike Toomey for doing a great job as host and moderator!
Many thanks to our Speakers:
Robert. T. Leverett, Keynote Speaker, Executive Director Eastern Native Tree Society and Executive Director Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest Conrad Crawford, Director MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Partnerships
View DCR Partnership Page, if you are interested in forming a partnership with DCR
Alexander (Alec) Gillman, DCR Interpretive Services and Coordinator
DCR Civilian Conservation Corps Program Committee
Patrice Kish, Director, DCR Office of Cultural Resources
Curt Rudge, Bureau Chief, DCR Bureau of Ranger Services
Eleanor Fort, Preservation Associate, Environment Massachusetts
Brian Shanahan, Regional Director Southeast Massachusetts Division of State Parks & Recreation
26 Groups Represented - 40 friends + 6 speakers (5 from DCR)
Friends of Wompatuck State Forest Friends of Robinson State Park Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation Friends of Alewife Reservation Friends of Beaver Brook Reservation Friends of Freetown-Fall River State Forest Friends of Howe State Forest Friends of Spencer State Forest Friends of Alewife Reservation Friends of Hubbardston State Forest Bay State Trail Riders Association Environment MA Friends of Willard Brook Friends Mount Greylock State Reservation Friends of Douglas State Forest Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest Friends of Scussett Beach Reservation Friends of Shawme-Crowell State Forest Friends of Townsend State Forest Friends of Upton State Forest Friends Wachusetts Mountain Ski Area Mass Audubon Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest.