Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Planning and Resource Protection Resource Management Planning Program RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN Myles Standish Planning Unit Including Myles Standish State Forest December 2011 Cover Photo American Lady Butterfly on Asters by Bob Conway “I will walk in the woods forever, gazing at its beauty and at all that it offers my eyes. I will dwell upon the beauty of its plants, its animals, and see the radiance of abundant color. I will share with all through my eyes so that you might see it as I do. I ask that you protect it so future generations may enjoy the beauty and splendor as well.” Bob “Grumpy” Conway (1946-2010) Myles Standish Planning Unit Including Myles Standish State Forest RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2011 Deval L. Patrick, Governor Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor Richard K. Sullivan, Jr., Secretary Edward M. Lambert, Jr., Commissioner John P. Murray, Deputy Commissioner for Park Operations Resource Management Plans (RMPs) provide guidelines for management of properties under the stewardship of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). RMPs are working documents to assist with setting priorities, enabling the Department to adapt to changing fiscal, social and environmental conditions. The planning process provides a forum for communication and cooperation with park visitors, partners and the surrounding communities to ensure transparency in the DCR’s stewardship efforts. The purpose of this RMP is to achieve a sustainable balance between the conservation of important natural and cultural resources and the provision of quality outdoor recreational opportunities. Myles Standish State Forest (MSSF) contains a significant portion of the third largest Pine Barrens in the world and numerous coastal plain ponds, harboring rare plants and wildlife. MSSF is the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. MSSF offers 429 camping sites and 138 private cottages, tucked into the forest or set along the edge of seven of the forest’s 58 ponds. Day use areas at College and Fearing ponds offer picnicking, swimming, fishing and canoeing. Fifteen miles of paved bicycle trails, over 28 miles of equestrian trails and 79 miles of hiking trails and unpaved forest roads take visitors deep into the forest. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) manages Fearing Pond for fishing and pheasant and quail Wildlife Management Areas for hunting within MSSF. This RMP represents both a connection to the historic past and a guide to the future of Myles Standish State Forest. This RMP advances the DCR’s efforts to prepare RMPs for every state forest, park and reservation across the Commonwealth. Edward M. Lambert, Jr. Commissioner The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams and parkways. Led by Commissioner Edward M. Lambert Jr., the agency’s mission is to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. To learn more about the DCR, our facilities and our programs, please visit us at www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at [email protected]. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Contents Page Executive Summary Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... i Management Principle and Goals ................................................................................................................... i Priority Recommendations .............................................................................................................................. ii Section 1. Introduction 1.1 Mission of the Department of Conservation and Recreation ................................................................... 1 1.2 Introduction to Resource Management Plans .......................................................................................... 1 1.3 The Planning Process ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Public Participation in Developing this RMP .......................................................................................... 3 1.5 Properties Included in this RMP .............................................................................................................. 3 1.6 Defining Characteristics ........................................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Management Principle and Goals ............................................................................................................ 6 1.8 Regional Context ..................................................................................................................................... 7 1.9 History of the Property ............................................................................................................................. 9 Section 2. Existing Conditions 2.1 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................................... 13 Climate .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................................... 14 Natural History ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Wildfire History ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Water Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 16 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................... 20 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................................. 31 Regional Pre-contact Context .................................................................................................................. 31 Pre-contact Archaeological Sites ............................................................................................................. 33 Historic Archaeological Resources ......................................................................................................... 34 Historic Resources ................................................................................................................................... 35 2.3 Recreation Resources .............................................................................................................................. 39 Visitor Use Patterns and Attitudes .......................................................................................................... 39 Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................................... 41 Local Recreation Demand ....................................................................................................................... 42 Day Use Areas ......................................................................................................................................... 43 Camping Areas ........................................................................................................................................ 43 Private Cottage Program.......................................................................................................................... 45 Fishing and Hunting ................................................................................................................................ 50 Trail Network .......................................................................................................................................... 50 2.4 Interpretive Services and Environmental Education ............................................................................... 55 Interpretive Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 55 Informational Kiosks ............................................................................................................................. 56 Interpretive Programs .............................................................................................................................. 56 Special Events ......................................................................................................................................... 57 Contents Page Section 3. Management Resources and Practices 3.1 Management Structure ............................................................................................................................ 59 3.2 Current Staffing .....................................................................................................................................