FOREST FIRE-MANAGEMENT TOUR

On Saturday, October 27, Friends of Myles Standish State Forest is pairing up with The Nature Conservancy to provide a tour that will demonstrate the fire ecology of Pine Barrens and show us how fire is used to manage the forest. Bob Bale, The Nature Conservancy Fire and Restoration Manager, will lead a moderate walk. Bob will start the tour from the Upper College Pond Road parking lot at 10:00 a.m. He expects it to last about two hours. Space for the tour is limited. To sign up, call TNC (508) 732-0300 x 21. Directions to the parking lot may be found online at www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/mssf.htm, or visit FMSSF website at www.friendsmssf.com.

Next Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Meeting

Anyone living in or near Pine Barrens will want to attend the next Friends of Myles Standish State Forest meeting, Thursday, 
October 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at “the Barn”, MSSF Headquarters. The speaker will be Ron Aseltine, Plymouth County Fire Warden District II (in Myles Standish State Forest). Ron says Pine Barrens are the Nation’s third most dangerous area for out of control wildfires.

With so many of us living in forested areas, we need to prepare for the inevitable. Come and learn what our forest 
managers and firefighters are doing to help prevent another wildfire disaster; and just as important, learn what you can do to 
protect your own property and the forest we all love. We urge you to attend this important meeting.

Also at this meeting, Friends will pay tribute to former MSSF Supervisor, Robert A. MacKenzie, who held MSSF together for over 17 years! The Department of Conservation and Recreation promoted Robert to District Supervisor of Blue Hills. Now DCR must find a replacement. Not an easy task! Everyone is welcome to Robert’s farewell celebration!

To find the Barn, enter the MSSF forest. Follow the signs to Headquarters. We will have a large sign posted at the Barn. Please call FMSSF (508) 833-3588 for more information.

Take Me Fishin'! Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday, September 29, 2007, 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m., FMSSF will hold its first annual fishing event, "Take Me Fishin'!" at beautiful Fearing Pond in the Myles Standish State Forest. This is a free event aimed at giving children in our community the opportunity to learn to fish, to develop a sense of stewardship for our natural resources, and to get outside. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and MassWildlife will provide all of the equipment for fishing. We are planning other fishing related activities too. FMSSF will have trained volunteers on hand to teach kids and their parents some of the basics of fishing so that they might make fishing a family tradition. Fearing Pond has a number of BBQ's and picnic tables. Bring your lunch and stay the whole day!

See the link "DCR" at the sidebar for directions to the Myles Standish State Forest. This site has a PDF map of Myles Standish State Forest showing Fearing Pond.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 19, 7:00 p.m.

Friends of Myles Standish State Forest will hold its next meeting on September 19, at 7:00 p.m., at "the barn", across the street from the MSSF Headquarters. Friends will focus on establishing our priorities for the next twelve months. Bring your ideas for helping improve the forest.

Ron Hunter spotted this pretty Spotted Turtle!

Ron Hunter spotted this lovely turtle while he was working on the Easthead Trail. Spotted turtles are known to live 26 years but they may live to be twice that age! Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game is concerned about these little beauties because populations are declining and now they are on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List. Unfortunately, they like to burrow underneath grassy or muddy areas near ponds and in marshlands during the summer to keep cool. Quite often people and vehicles crush them but many are killed on roads. If you see a spotted turtle, or any other wildlife species, observe from afar or try to protect it while its crossing the road. Don't forget. All wild animals bite.

Big!

This is by far the biggest Snapping Turtle I've ever seen. He/She was aside of the road on it's way to the nearest lake...be careful when you go into that water.

Next Friends of Myles Standish State Forest Meeting

Dear Friends of Myles Standish State Forest,

Don't forget our next meeting on June 7, 7 p.m. at "the barn", across from the Forest Headquarters.

Environmental Police Officer, Rob Akin, will speak about the illegal use of off road vehicles in the Forest. We will discuss future projects, Trail concerns and elect officers. We need a Secretary and a Treasurer to become official. Please consider volunteering for the job.

This picture was taken at Fearing Pond. This gorgeous pond is designated for public use by the State but it is closed to the general public because of the lack of funds to pay for a life guard and because there is no sanitary facility. Want to try to open the pond to public use? Then join us.

Hope to see you there. Please tell everyone you know in the area to get involved!