Boston Flora

Tag: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

  • Saturday, June 4, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – MassWildlife’s 150th Anniversary Open House

    Founded in 1866, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2016. To commemorate this occasion, MassWildlife will be holding a 150th Anniversary Open House at its Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road in Westborough on June 4 from 10AM – 3PM.

    In 1866 two Fisheries Commissioners were appointed to address concerns about the loss of Atlantic salmon and other migrating fish caused by dams and pollution. At first these Commissioners focused solely on the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. By 1869 the Commission on Fisheries was given authority over all fish; in 1886 the Commission was given authority over game animals. Today, MassWildlife controls and manages about 208,000 acres of wildlife lands and employs a group of biologists who manage and restore wildlife and habitats for the enjoyment of the public. We’ve come a long way in 150 years, and in 2016 MassWildlife is celebrating the array of Massachusetts wildlife, fish, birds, and natural habitats we all care about and value.

    This event is perfect for families and will feature live animals, guided nature walks, displays, and hands-on activities like archery, casting, and simulated target shooting. For more information on MassWildlife’s history and other anniversary events, please visit mass.gov/masswildlife150

  • Thursday, February 13, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Frances Crane Wildlife Habitat Walk

    Join Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Ecologists and Foresters from 2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. on Thursday, February 13 to walk the Pheasant Area of Frances Crane WMA in Falmouth and learn about habitat improvement plans. DFW has been working to improve habitat conditions for rare and endangered grassland birds on the northern section of Crane Wildlife Management Area. The next phase involves converting second growth forest on abandoned agricultural lands by clearing invading pine and oak trees and planting native warm-season grasses. Please dress warmly for the weather and wear sturdy boots. An inclement weather date is set for February 14. Contact John Scanlon at (508) 389-6324 for more information or to check on the inclement weather plan.

    Directions and meeting location: From Boston area, take Route 3 to the Cape Cod Canal. At the Canal, go partly through the traffic circle to Route 6 (Scenic Hwy) west. From Route 6, follow the signs to Route 28 south, and the Bourne Bridge. Go over the bridge and continue going south on Route 28 to Route 151. Go east on Route 151. After approximately 2 miles there will be a sign for the Nickelodeon Theater on the left (north). Immediately after the theater, there will a sign for the Frances Crane WMA. Take a left (north) onto the unpaved road at the sign and follow approximately ¼ mile to the end. This is the primary parking area for Frances Crane WMA north.

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  • Sunday, January 26, 2:30 pm – The Black Bear in Massachusetts

    The Sterling Land Trust will host Department of Fisheries & Wildlife Technician Sue Ingalls, who will cover black bear natural history, research efforts, management practices, and human/wildlife interactions. Her talk will take place at 2:30 P.M. at the First Church Parish Hall on 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road in Sterling (on the common just off Rte 12/Rte 62.) The event is free and open to the public and the building is handicapped accessible. Contact Marion Larson of the Sterling Land Trust at (978) 422-5162 or email marion46@verizon.net for more information.

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  • Saturday, January 25, 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm – Frogs, Mussels, Crayfish and Other Critters: Biodiversity of Lakes and Ponds in Massachusetts

    Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Aquatic Ecologist, Peter Hazelton, will speak on Frogs, Mussels, Crayfish and Other Critters: Biodiversity of Lakes and Ponds in Massachusetts, at a meeting of the Massachusetts Congress of Lake and Pond Associations (COLAP) from 1:45-2:45 pm on Saturday, January 25. The COLAP meeting will take place at Worcester State University and is open to the public. MASS COLAP is a non-profit organization.  Its membership consists of private lake and pond associations, publicly appointed lake committees, students and professional organizations. For more information contact Carol Hildreth at hildrethcr4@gmail.com.

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  • Give a Gift on the Wild Side!

    We have received the following from our friends at the MassWildlife  District Office which may be of interest to holiday shoppers out there:

    Now is the time to consider a wildlife-related gift for the outdoor or wildlife enthusiast on your holiday list! The following suggestions from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) are suitable gifts to consider for all ages.

    A 2-year subscription to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine ($10) delivers eight full-color issues of the Commonwealth’s best wildlife publication. For the budding conservationist, try a copy of the Critters of Massachusetts book ($5). Critters is a great gift for the curious youngster or the beginning adult naturalist with an interest in backyard wildlife and beyond. For the more advanced naturalist, the Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies ($20) or A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools ($12) might be just the ticket. In-depth descriptions and detailed photographs help the reader identify and learn more about these creatures. For the budding herpetologist, there are a couple of options: The Field Guide to the Reptiles of Massachusetts features information on breeding, feeding habits, range, habitat, and conservation issues. This unique issue of the Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine is $3 per copy and also offers spectacular color photos of the various species, including color and pattern morphs of those species with variations and a list of key features that allows you to identify any native snake or turtle (except sea turtles) found in the Bay State. The turtle enthusiast in your life may also enjoy the Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts ($5), a video available from the DFW’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Go to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/publications/publications_home.htm or call the West Boylston Field Headquarters at (508) 389-6300 for further purchase information.

    The sportsman or sportswoman in your life will appreciate a 2013 hunting, fishing, or sporting (combination) license and any stamps they will need. Remember that freshwater fishing licenses for minors ages 15-17 years of age are free! (Minors under 15 do not need a license to fish.) Beginning December 1, 2012, 2013 licenses are available for sale online or through license vendors throughout the state. License purchases support the DFW’s fish and wildlife conservation, management, and habitat protection programs in Massachusetts.

    Give them the gift of the outdoors! Purchase a gift certificate for one of the 2013 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, workshops. Workshops on skills such as animal tracking, shooting, fishing, kayaking, and photography are designed for adults and families new to that particular skill. The 2013 schedule of workshops will be posted in January.A terrific outdoor experience for teen girls and boys is the Junior Conservation Camp, a two-week overnight camp session packed with outdoor skills learning such as shooting, fishing, canoeing, and camping and field trips with biologists. The camp is located in Chesterfield and will be held in August. Go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/jr_conservation_camp.htm.

    For the person who has everything, make a donation in his or her name to support one of the following two funds. Wildlife habitat protection can supported by donating to the Wildlands Fund, a fund dedicated to acquiring important wildlife habitat open to wildlife-related recreation. Send the honoree’s name with a check made out to “Comm. of MA – DFW Wildlands Fund” and send it to: DFW Wildlands Fund, DFW Field HQ, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund supports efforts to protect rare and endangered wildlife. A donation in the form of a check made out to “Comm. of MA – NHESP” can also be sent to the DFW Field HQ in West Boylston.