New regulations for hunting this year: Please be careful out there!
We are in zone 11, and there has been some changes to the hunting regulations this year:
Effective October 12, 2012-
WILD TURKEY HUNTING REGULATIONS
Effective October 12, 2012, several new hunting regulations have been promulgated which expand wild turkey hunting opportunities across the state. These regulations take effect in time for the 2012 fall turkey hunting season.
1) Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ) 10, 11, and 12, which encompasses eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, will open for the fall wild turkey hunting season. Previously, the fall wild turkey hunting season was open in only WMZs 1-9 and 13; central and western Massachusetts and Martha's Vineyard.
2) The statewide fall wild turkey hunting season has been lengthened from one week to a two- week season. Fall wild turkey hunting season will begin on the second to last Monday in October and continue for 2 weeks. The 2012 fall hunting season dates are October 22 - November 3, 2012.
3) Permissible shot sizes for wild turkey hunting have been expanded to include #7 shot. Formerly, shot sizes were limited to #4 - #6 for wild turkey hunting.
Fall wild turkey hunters are reminded that wild turkey hunting hours during this season begin one half hour before sunrise and end one half hour after sunset. Only those turkey hunters who did NOT harvest a season limit of 2 birds during the spring season are eligible for fall turkey hunting where 1 turkey of either sex may be harvested. All other regulations relative to wild turkey hunting apply.
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/regulations_turkey_deer_2012.htm
More helpful links
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/quick-reference-guide/
http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/12MAAB_Quick_Reference_List.pdf
Also here are some fun facts from the dept of fish and wildlife calendar for late October:
•Bullfrogs, snapping turtles and garter snakes are going into hibernation.
•Juncos, often called snowbirds, begin to arrive from their summer breeding areas in northern New England and Canada.
•Woodchucks are beginning to seek out hibernation areas. Their body temperature and breathing rate will drop and they will no longer excrete, an unusual physiological phenomenon.
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/calendar/calendar.htm
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Town Forest Walk this Saturday
Monday, April 18, 2011
Forest Committee to meet
The Town Forest Committee continues to meet on the 3rd Wed of each month at Town Hall at 7:30 pm. All are welcome :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
This is the 2nd Saturday!
Saturday please join us for a hike in the Town Forest. We will leave from Park Dr at noon and hope to see some frog eggs! It's vernal pool season, after all! Bring water and a snack, and DO wear bug spray!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Printable Vernal Pool Field Guide
Here is a great resource for those of you who will be out looking for Frogs and "Sallies"(Salamanders)
You can print it two sided and laminate it to bring out in the warm spring rain!
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/hrepwpwid.pdf
Also check this out: the Vernal Pool Association is on facebook !
www.facebook.com/VernalPoolAssociation
You can print it two sided and laminate it to bring out in the warm spring rain!
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/hrepwpwid.pdf
Also check this out: the Vernal Pool Association is on facebook !
www.facebook.com/VernalPoolAssociation
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Snow Hike is on !
Come on out for a hike today in the Town Forest!
High NOON- Park Drive
See post below for details!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Inspirational and About Trees
A Nobel Peace Prize winner finds spiritual values in planting trees
Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, says spiritual values are the key to healing ourselves and our environment.
From the Christian Science Monitor by Gregory M. Lamb, / Staff writer / January 24, 2011
New York
On a visit to Japan, Wangari Maathai learned the story of the hummingbird and the forest fire. While the other animals run in fear or hang their heads in despair, the hummingbird flies above the fire time and again, releasing a few drops of water from its tiny beak.
In 2004 Maathai was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for her work founding the Green Belt Movement, which enlists villagers, and especially women, to improve their local environment.
Since then, she's concluded that people's values are what motivate them. If the values are good ones, good actions will follow. Hence it's importance for people to tap their spiritual traditions for guidance in caring for the environment, she says.
"I saw that if people have [good] values, they can sustain what they are doing," says Maathai in a recent interview at a New York City hotel not far from the United Nations, where she's addressed the General Assembly in the past.
"If you don't have good values, you'll embrace vices," she says. And if we give in to the vices, "We destroy ourselves. We destroy the environment. If we can embrace [good] values, we also heal ourselves. And in the process we heal the environment."
That's the message of her new book, "Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and the World."
People learn these values from their parents, their teachers, and their religious leaders, says Maathai, whose own background is Christian.
In the 1970s, her call for African villagers to plant trees may have seemed like a simplistic response to complex environmental problems. But she realized trees hold both symbolic and practical value.
"People use trees for so many things. It was easy to get into a community to talk about trees," Maathai recalls. They provide immediate practical resources: food, firewood, and shelter. They fight soil erosion.
Today, her Billion Tree Campaign has resulted in more than 11 billion trees being planted worldwide.
Her Green Belt Movement embraces four key values: love for the environment, gratitude and respect for Earth's resources, self-empowerment and self-betterment, and the spirit of service and volunteerism.
The Green Belt followers, many of them women, take simple actions in their communities, such as tending tree nurseries, terracing their fields to curb erosion, collecting rainwater, planting home gardens, and building low-tech sand dams.Maathai attributes her ideas as having come from "the Source" or, in a Christian context, God. But listening for ideas must also be accompanied by "an attitude that allows you to take advantage of that awakening," she writes in "Replenishing the Earth." "This entails keeping your mind, eyes, and ears open, so that when an idea arrives you'll be ready for it."
Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, says spiritual values are the key to healing ourselves and our environment.
From the Christian Science Monitor by Gregory M. Lamb, / Staff writer / January 24, 2011
New York
On a visit to Japan, Wangari Maathai learned the story of the hummingbird and the forest fire. While the other animals run in fear or hang their heads in despair, the hummingbird flies above the fire time and again, releasing a few drops of water from its tiny beak.
In 2004 Maathai was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for her work founding the Green Belt Movement, which enlists villagers, and especially women, to improve their local environment.
Since then, she's concluded that people's values are what motivate them. If the values are good ones, good actions will follow. Hence it's importance for people to tap their spiritual traditions for guidance in caring for the environment, she says.
"I saw that if people have [good] values, they can sustain what they are doing," says Maathai in a recent interview at a New York City hotel not far from the United Nations, where she's addressed the General Assembly in the past.
"If you don't have good values, you'll embrace vices," she says. And if we give in to the vices, "We destroy ourselves. We destroy the environment. If we can embrace [good] values, we also heal ourselves. And in the process we heal the environment."
That's the message of her new book, "Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and the World."
People learn these values from their parents, their teachers, and their religious leaders, says Maathai, whose own background is Christian.
In the 1970s, her call for African villagers to plant trees may have seemed like a simplistic response to complex environmental problems. But she realized trees hold both symbolic and practical value.
"People use trees for so many things. It was easy to get into a community to talk about trees," Maathai recalls. They provide immediate practical resources: food, firewood, and shelter. They fight soil erosion.
Today, her Billion Tree Campaign has resulted in more than 11 billion trees being planted worldwide.
Her Green Belt Movement embraces four key values: love for the environment, gratitude and respect for Earth's resources, self-empowerment and self-betterment, and the spirit of service and volunteerism.
The Green Belt followers, many of them women, take simple actions in their communities, such as tending tree nurseries, terracing their fields to curb erosion, collecting rainwater, planting home gardens, and building low-tech sand dams.Maathai attributes her ideas as having come from "the Source" or, in a Christian context, God. But listening for ideas must also be accompanied by "an attitude that allows you to take advantage of that awakening," she writes in "Replenishing the Earth." "This entails keeping your mind, eyes, and ears open, so that when an idea arrives you'll be ready for it."
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Bundle up!
Snow Hike in the Holbrook Town Forest
Please join us on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at high noon
Dress warm in layers!
Including snow pants, boots, hats and gloves.
While this is a hike, you are can bring your ski poles, snow shoes or cross country skis! (Skiers can go first)
Bring water and a snack. We will meet at Park Dr entrance, at the giant mountain of snow. Please carpool if possible.
PS You won’t need bug spray!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Holbrook Town Forest & the Holbrook Town Forest Committee.
Please join us on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at high noon
Dress warm in layers!
Including snow pants, boots, hats and gloves.
While this is a hike, you are can bring your ski poles, snow shoes or cross country skis! (Skiers can go first)
Bring water and a snack. We will meet at Park Dr entrance, at the giant mountain of snow. Please carpool if possible.
PS You won’t need bug spray!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Holbrook Town Forest & the Holbrook Town Forest Committee.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Our National Bird: We told you we saw a bald eagle!
Look what the friends of Blue Hills saw: "Former FBH Board member and avid birder, Andrew Joslin, spotted a bald eagle at the Blue Hills flying between Houghton's Pond and Tucker Hill."
In recent years Bald Eagle has been spotted at the Great Weymouth Resevoir, and near the Dalton Club/Hallamore area.
Of course they need trees to nest in! Another reaon why we need to protect forested public land!
In recent years Bald Eagle has been spotted at the Great Weymouth Resevoir, and near the Dalton Club/Hallamore area.
Of course they need trees to nest in! Another reaon why we need to protect forested public land!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Please join us for Forest events in 2011
Save the dates, details to follow!
Second Saturday of each month:
February 12th
March 12th
April 9th
May 14th
June 11th
July 9th
August 13th
September 10th
October 8th
November 12th
December 10th
Second Saturday of each month:
February 12th
March 12th
April 9th
May 14th
June 11th
July 9th
August 13th
September 10th
October 8th
November 12th
December 10th
Saturday, October 30, 2010
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!
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
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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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
Monday, June 14, 2010
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!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Mercy mercy Me.
image from cnn.comThe 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?
"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?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
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.
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.
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