For Immediate Release

November 1, 2006

Contact:

Vanessa Gulati

617-626-1119

STATE AND PARTNERS AGREE TO WORK COOPERATIVELY

ON FORESTRY ISSUES

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Friends of Robinson State Park and the Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS) announced today that ongoing discussions have resulted in an agreement to work cooperatively to address forestry issues in Robinson State Park in Agawam. An agreement was also reached to coordinate joint public communications, in order to provide clear and accurate information on the park.

The discussion leading to this agreement was prompted by the objections community members had raised to DCR’s forestry plans for Robinson State Park.

DCR also announced a delay in the implementation of these plans until November 2007, so that more data may be collected and evaluated, and that related issues can be discussed and addressed.

The Friends, ENTS and DCR agreed that Robinson State Park has special attributes that require particular care and attention. Their collective goal is to use the best available scientific information to agree on a carefully planned and executed forest stewardship plan for the park. The three organizations hope that this cooperative effort may serve as a future model for the care and stewardship of other DCR parks in urban and suburban areas.

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