Todays a good day for Trail work!

We are meeting today, Saturday 10/30 at 10:30 am for a little forest work.
Weather should be great.
Meet at 255 Pine St (Carolyn Long Entrance--Blue Dot)
Bring water, loppers, gloves and wear something bright!
Hope to see you there!

Lantern Walk a success!

Thank you to all those who participated in this years long awaited Town Forest Lantern Walk on October 16th. The Town Forest Committee is most grateful to Tom McMann, Cubmaster, Troop 153, Rick Reuss, Director, Holbrook Emergency Management Agency, and all the Cub Scout leaders, especially Karen Santorelli from Pack 56. Also, the following Friends of the Holbrook Town Forest: Debbie Baio, Dale and Matt Lewis, and Jen Crosby, for their generous donation of materials and snacks. We also wish to thank all the boys and girls from scouting and the South School Ecology Club, under the direction of Mrs. Cathy Cripps, and the many parents and families who participated in making over 200 lanterns, many from recycled materials.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather; the evening was dry, the moon was high, and a light breeze rustled the leaves. This was the perfect backdrop for the 60 plus visitors walking the lantern lit paths, and experiencing the Town Forest in a new way. We were then were led in campfire songs by Mr. McMann, and had a snack. Thank you again to all who helped to continue this spectacular community event!

We hope to see you in the forest,

Patricia Greely, Chair
Gene Santorelli
Dave Dingledy
Holbrook Town Forest Committee

Join us Wednesday October 5th at 6:30 pm

We will be making non-flamable (glow stick) lanterns at the Holbrook Town Hall! Please bring a clean , clear water bottle (small size with a cap). We will be making really cool lanterns to hang in the forest. If you bring 2 bottles you can make one to carry and one to hang in the forest! All this preparation is for out Lantern Walk on October 16th. This is a blast. Hope you can join us!

Town Forest Harvest Hike
Saturday September 18th
2:00 - 4:00 pm
(Rain date Saturday September 25th)

Come enjoy the beauty of autumn in the
Holbrook Town Forest

We will depart from the Sodergren-McKay (Park Drive) Entrance, travel north on Wiggins Trail, cross into Braintree and head left to Cranberry Pond Beach before returning to Wiggins Trail. This will be one of our longer organized hikes.
We hope you can join us.
Please bring water, bug spray and a snack.

Sponsored by
Holbrook Friends of the Forest,
Holbrook Town Forest Committee,
Cub Scouts Pack 56, Boy Scouts Troops 56 & 153
www. holbrookma.gov
or call 781-767-4312

ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE FOUND IN BOSTON

PRESS RELEASE For immediate release July 6, 2010
Contact:Wendy Fox 617-626-1453

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS
ANNOUNCE DISCOVERY OF ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLES
ON GROUNDS OF BOSTON’S FAULKNER HOSPITAL
Six infested trees in Jamaica Plain removed this morning represent first confirmed Massachusetts presence of ALB outside Worcester County

BOSTON - Following the discovery of Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) in six trees in Jamaica Plain this past weekend, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. and other federal, state, and local officials today announced plans to further investigate the source and extent of the infestation, and scheduled meetings to inform local residents and businesses about the effort.

“We understand that news of the ALB presence in Boston will be a concern to the community, and we are working as quickly as possible to determine the extent of the issue,” said EEA Secretary Bowles. “So far, only six infected trees have been found here, and they were destroyed this morning. We have a highly trained and skilled team with experience in the eradication efforts in Worcester, and the situation is in good hands.”

Over the weekend, federal officials from the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of the invasive beetles in six trees on the grounds of Faulkner Hospital in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Early this morning, they removed those trees and ground them into chips to kill any adult beetles or larvae. The six infested trees in Jamaica Plain represent the first confirmed ALB presence in Massachusetts outside Worcester County, where the invasive species was discovered in August 2008.

The ALB is believed to have come to the United States in wooden packing crates originating from China several years ago. The beetles bore into the heartwood of a host tree, eventually killing the tree. The beetles have no known predators in this country.

Since their discovery in Worcester in 2008, $50 million in federal and state money has been spent to eradicate the beetle, and 25,000 infested trees in the Worcester area have been cut down in an effort to halt the spread.

“We are engaging all our partners, including the US Department of Agriculture, city of Boston, town of Brookline, and other municipalities and agencies to educate the public on the ALB and solicit their help in reporting and dealing with it,” said DCR Commissioner Sullivan. “We have set up a community meeting next week for the public, and a training session this week for anyone involved in the wood and wood products industry to answer questions and keep everyone apprised of procedures and progress in the infested area.”

The community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, from 6-8 p.m. in the Franklin Park Clubhouse on Circuit Drive in Franklin Park.

An education session for those involved in the wood and wood products industries will be Thursday, July 8, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Franklin Park Clubhouse on Circuit Drive in Franklin Park.

“While we are hopeful this is an isolated and contained incident, the City of Boston considers this issue to be very serious and we are taking every step to protect our trees by pulling together city, state, and federal resources,” said Mayor Menino. “After last year’s incident in Worcester, hundreds of volunteers were trained to survey trees. Together with professional arborists, we have been proactive in searching for the ALB in major areas like the Arboretum. These areas will again be searched by the US Department of Agriculture and, combined with a community meeting and training session scheduled for this week, I am confident in our plan to handle this incident in an efficient manner.”

DCR officials already have declared a regulated area around the site where the infested trees were found. The area extends in a 1.5-mile radius from the site. No wood or wood products are allowed to leave that area. (A map of the area is attached with this press release and also can be viewed at www.mass.gov/dcr.)

For property owners clearing limbs or other wood debris from their yards and properties, and anyone else wanting to dispose of wood, a drop-off area will be set up within the regulated area. The location and any additional details will be posted on www.mass.gov/agr/alb.htm as soon as a location is determined.

To report suspicious tree damage, view photographs and videos of tree damage, or read about the Asian longhorned beetle, visit www.mass.gov/agr/alb.htm or call the toll-free Asian longhorned beetle hotline at 866-702-9938.

###

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 Richard K. Sullivan Jr., the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at mass.parks@state.ma.us.


Source:
http://massnrc.org/pests/albdocs/PressReleaseALBBostonDCRJuly62010.doc

Forest Committee Meetings

The Holbrook Town Forest Committee is meeing on the following Wednesdays

at 7:30 pm in the Conservation Office, 2nd floor of Town Hall

June 16th

July 21st and August 18th

All are welcome!

Mercy mercy Me.

image from cnn.com

The Marvin Gaye hit from the first earth day,seems apropos as all eyes turn on Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
"Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be
No, no
Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Oh, mercy mercy me
Oh, things ain't what they used to be.."


The Nature Conservancy has provided an invaluable resource for tracking the crisis at www.blog.nature.org It is great website for all things green.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the region, as they brace for disaster. And we wonder why it needs to be called an "enviromental disaster", and when did "environmentalism" become as bad a word as "feminism"? And what is with that anyways. What we have in common is greater than our differences. Shouldn't we just work toward making this a better world for us all and future generations?

Holbrook Town Forest Rules Appproved

HOLBROOK TOWN FOREST RULES

Forest closes at dusk.
No motorized vehicles.
Fishing and hunting activity is governed by Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife laws.
No fires except for cooking and with the permission of the Fire Chief, or their designee.
No alcohol.
No dumping of rubbish, litter or yard waste.
Overnight camping is allowed ONLY with written permission of the Town Forest Committee, and the Police Chief or their designee.
If you carry it in you must carry it out.
All dogs must be leashed.
Pick up after your dog and properly dispose of waste.
Do not feed the wildlife.
Reminder-careless use of matches and smoking material can cause forest fires.
Police take notice.

Happy Earth Day

this image from todays Google.com

Today is the 40th anniversay of Earth Day!

There are lots of activities planned this week all over New England. We encourage you to get out there and celebrate the awesome beauty of our planet.

Crash

We have experienced a crash & lost a lot of data. If you would like to receive emails regarding upcoming events please email us.. Hope to see you in the forest!

Spring/Summer 2010 volunteer dates announced

The Holbrook Town Forest is always in need of a little TLC. A morning in the Forest is a great way to stay in shape and "give back". Please help maintain the trails, or making a monetary contribution.

Our work dates are as follows (and are subject to change):
Saturday 10am-2pm
March 20
April 10
April 24
May 8
May 22
July 10
July 17 or 24 (depending on interest)

Other dates: Turkey Hill Chipper Day Sat., Apr 17th, and help your neighbor day, Friday April 16th. For more info, please email forest@holbrookmassachusetts.us, or leave a message with the selectmen's office at 781-767-4312.

Please consider a donation to the Friends of the Holbrook Town Forest c/o Randolph Saving Bank, 50 So. Franklin St., Holbrook, MA 02343. We are also in need of tools to maintain the trails, if you think you can help please call, or email.

Your donation will be put to good work to help maintain the trails that are so vital to keeping this precious public land accessible to all.

Little Big Night

The frogs have started their treck! Tonight on Weymouth and Pond Streets we saw a few frogs making there way to the vernal ponds. Hopefully the salamanders will be out soon!
We think a late night spring treck into the woods in 2011 may be in order! Mark your calendars, and start buying thermal underwear and wellies!

Skating canceled- But we can hike!

Once again mother nature has intervened. Conditions are not safe enough for this months planned Winter Skating Party. Please join us instead for a hike from 255 Pine Street at 1pm! Hot cocoa and cookies provided.Thank you to all those who helped plan, and we hope to see you soon in the Forest!

Winter Skating Party

Help support the Holbrook Town Forest
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
1-3pm
(Rain/Weather date Feb 13th)
Holson Pond/Cranberry Pond In the Forest!

Hot Cocoa and Snacks provided
Suggested donation $5 ($15 family max)
Funds to go to the Holbrook Town Forest Committee Gift Fund
Bring your own Skates
Park at Forest Drive or 255 Pine Street
For more info contact 781-767-4312 or email: forest@holbrook.massachusetts.us

Turkey Hill Firewise Renewal 2009

This past year the Turkey Hill Firewise volunteers worked with the Holbrook Fire Department's Lt Dave Kincus, and the Holbrook Town Forest Committee, and teh Friends of the Holbrook Town Forest on the 2009 renewal project. They also received some initial guidance from Forest Fire Patrolmen Mike Marquardt earlier in 2009.
This years project was to provide a comprehensive map of fire and emergency access entry points, as well as trails to the Fire and and Rescue teams in Holbrook. A large colored map was presented to Holbrook's Chief O'Brien which listed the GPS location of the emergency access points, trails and water sources. The map will be posted next to the dispatch center. Smaller versions will be in all vehicles.

The group received a congratulatory letter from Michele Steinberg, the Firewise Community Manager with the National Fire Protection Association:

Thank you for renewing Turkey Hill’s recognition status as a Firewise Communities/USA site for 2009. Congratulations on a 3rd year of sustained Firewise activity in your community! Your work to become safer from wildfire through the Firewise process is valuable and essential. There are currently more than 500 sites in 38 states where neighbors are active in becoming safer from wildfire through the Firewise process.

For more information on the Firewise program log onto www.firewise.org

Good job team!