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MassWildlife
News Release
All Media Inquiries: Contact (617) 626-1809
MassWildlife News is published 1-2 times/month. If you are interested in receiving the MW News electronically, send an e-mail to the following address: Join-MassWildlife.news@listserv.state.ma.us.
Novmer 2009
- AVOID INVASIVE PLANTS FOR HOLIDAY DECORATING
- FOREST RECERTIFICATION: PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED
- HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
- IMPORTANT ARCHERY DEER SEASON REMINDER
- 2009 SEPTEMBER BEAR SEASON NUMBERS
- BROODING OVER TURKEYS
- FOREST BIRD POPULATION TRENDS STUDY PUBLISHED
- UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS AND HEARING
- CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AVOID INVASIVE PLANTS FOR HOLIDAY DECORATING
As part of the upcoming holiday season, many people are using plant material to decorate their houses or businesses. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) highly recommends that people avoid using certain exotic, invasive plants such as Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) in holiday decorations. Though these plants are attractive, it is best to refrain from using them. Birds eat and carry away the fruits from wreaths and garlands and the digested but still-viable seeds sprout where deposited. Exotic, invasive plants create severe environmental damage, invading open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows, and backyards, and crowding out native plants. Bittersweet can even kill mature trees through strangling. Both plants are extremely difficult to control: when cut off, the remaining plant segment in the ground will re-sprout. It is illegal to import or sell bittersweet and multiflora rose in any form (plants or cuttings) in the state of Massachusetts.
Backyard gardeners, nursery staff, landscapers and conservationists can learn more about invasive plants from MassWildlife's Guide To Invasive Plants, authored by DFW's former State Botanist Paul Somers, Rachel Kramer, and Karen Lombard of The Nature Conservancy and Bill Brumback of the New England Wild Flower Society. In the Guide, each invasive plant description includes a photograph, the plant's regulatory status, key identification characteristics, habitats where the plant is likely to be found, type of threat the plant poses to native species and habitats, and its current distribution and place of origin. Similar plant species are also briefly described to aid in plant identification. The Guide includes definitions of three categories of invasiveness, brief explanations of how invasive plants are introduced and spread, why invasives are a problem, how to learn more about controlling invasive plants, and the state agricultural regulations regarding their importation, sale and propagation. Useful invasive plant websites are also referenced. The Guide is $5/copy.
To purchase a guide from MassWildlife, stop in the Westborough office
during business hours or send a request to "Invasive Plant Guide,"
MassWildlife Field HQ, NHESP, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA, 01581,
and include a check payable to: Comm. of Mass.--NHESP. Sorry, but credit
cards are not accepted. More information
from DFW about invasive plants, or visit the New
England Wild Flower Society website.
FOREST RECERTIFICATION: PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED
As part of the 2009 forest management recertification process, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is seeking public comments during a 30-day period (October 30, 2009 - November 30, 2009) regarding which state wildlife lands are being considered for recertification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) criteria for sustainable management. Public comments may be emailed to Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us, or sent via postal mail to "Forest Certification Comments", MassWildlife Field HQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA, 01581.
Certification by the FSC is a professional acknowledgement that the
landowner is practicing responsible forest management that is environmentally
appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable. The certification
process requires annual audits of forest management practices, and must
be renewed every five years. Certification also requires extensive public
review of the forest management planning process for public lands.
MassWildlife lands were originally certified through FSC in 2004, and
the five-year recertification audit occurred between April and August
of 2009. The audit report determined that only lands with publicly reviewed
management plans are eligible for recertification. To comply with this
determination, MassWildlife has identified a subset of state wildlife
lands (44,000 acres) that are presently eligible for recertification,
a subset of lands that can become eligible for certification in the
future, and a subset of lands that will not be submitted for certification
for various reasons, including: facility development (boat launch sites,
offices and hatcheries), non-forested lands (salt marshes, roadside
corridors, sand dunes), and lands not completely under MassWildlife's
management control.
Lands currently eligible for recertification are located in the Berkshire
Highlands and Taconic Mountains Forest Management Zones (FMZ) for which
there are already publicly reviewed forest management plans. Information
about these FMZ
Plans is posted on the Division's website. Information on lands
that will become eligible for certification in the future and lands
which will not be submitted for certification are posted as well.
MassWildlife will post a summary of all comments received, and describe
any action to be taken by the agency in response to comments received
on its website on or about December 15, 2009.
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
Looking for a wildlife-related gift for the outdoors or wildlife enthusiast on your holiday list? The following suggestions are suitable gifts to consider for many ages. A two-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 Critters of Massachusetts book ($5). Critters is a perfect 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. Is there a turtle enthusiast among your friends or family? They may enjoy an Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts, a video available from MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program for $5. To order any of the above publications, click the Publications button or contact MassWildlife by phone at (508) 389-6300.
2010 hunting/fishing licenses and stamps will be appreciated by the sportsman or woman in your life. Licenses will be available for sale on line or through license vendors throughout the state by mid-December. License purchases support wildlife conservation, management and restoration of wildlife and wildlife habitat protection in Massachusetts.
Outdoor experiences are another great gift! A wonderful outdoor experience for teens, ages 13 - 17 years old, is the Junior Conservation Camp, a two-week overnight camp session packed with outdoor skills learning from shooting and fishing, to canoeing and camping, field trips with biologists, and more. The camp is located in Chesterfield and will be held in August. For women 18 years and above, enroll them in one of the Becoming an Outdoors-woman workshops planned for 2010. A schedule will be posted in January. All programs such as tracking, shooting, fishing, and photography are designed for adult women at the beginner level. Click the Education button on the MassWildlife website for further details on the two programs.
For the person who has everything, make a donation in his or her name to support work on rare and endangered wildlife to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund. Wildlife habitat protection can also be supported by donating to the Wildlands Fund, a fund solely dedicated to acquiring important wildlife habitat open to wildlife- related recreation. Donations should be sent to: MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. For more information on the above publications, programs, and fund donations, call (508) 389-6300.
IMPORTANT ARCHERY DEER SEASON REMINDER
Archers hunting deer in Massachusetts are reminded that the closing date for the archery season is Saturday, November 21, 2009. This year, Thanksgiving falls on a "late" date and the usual 6 week archery deer season, which began on October 12, 2009, ends on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Archers may not hunt deer during Thanksgiving week this year (November 23 - 28, 2009). The shotgun season for deer hunting begins Monday, November 30, 2009.
2009 SEPTEMBER BEAR SEASON NUMBERS
Licensed black bear hunters took to the woods of western and central
Massachusetts during the September season and emerged with 137 bruins.
In Berkshire County, 51 bears were taken; 36 bears in Franklin County;
22 in Hampden County; 29 in Hampshire County, and one in Worcester County.
Rifles, muzzleloaders, archery equipment, and certain handguns were
permitted during the September season. This is the largest September
bear harvest since 2003 when 142 bears were taken by hunters. The second
bear season begins November 2 and ends November 21, 2009. MassWildlife
reminds bear hunters that handguns are prohibited during the November
season.
BROODING OVER TURKEYS
Turkey brood survey reports were tabulated in early October by Jim
Cardoza, recently retired MassWildlife Turkey Project Leader. Brood
surveys are one way biologists assess the number of young that are recruited
(added) into the population. "Calculations show that this year's
hatch was poor," said Cardoza. "This is not entirely unexpected
given the prolonged rains in late May through early July. The hen to
poult ratio was the lowest on record, with production picking up in
August due to re-nesting by some hens. Overall, few young birds were
added to the population this year." Cardoza noted that 400 reports
were sent in, with the vast majority reported by Bay State citizens.
"The response from the public has been excellent," said Cardoza.
"Participation from many people reporting brood sightings results
in better information for the agency." For more information on
wild turkeys, check the Division's
website .
FOREST BIRD POPULATION TRENDS STUDY PUBLISHED
The results of a 19-year forest bird population study conducted by
former MassWildlife State Ornithologist Brad Blodget, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service Biologist Randy Detmers, and MassWildlife Forestry
Project Leader John Scanlon have been published in the fall issue of
the Northeastern Naturalist (Volume 16(3)), a well known scientific
journal. Titled "Status and Trends of Birds in an extensive Western
Massachusetts Forest," the study identified a total of 94 bird
species from 1987-2005 within a 700-acre study area at the Hiram Fox
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Chester and Worthington. This WMA
occurs within an extensively forested portion of the Massachusetts landscape,
which appears to support more stable bird populations than more fragmented
forestlands adjacent to urban and suburban development. Across the 19-year
study period, birds associated with mature forest habitat during the
spring breeding season remained stable or increased. Bird species associated
with young forest habitat were typically absent over much of the study
area, but increased during the early years of the study on about 170
acres, (25% of the study area) that received forestry treatments including
partial (shelterwood) cutting on 135 acres, and small clearcuts on 37
acres that averaged 3.7 acres each in size. Birds that nested in the
relatively open conditions associated with young forest habitat following
cutting began to decline within ten years after cutting as vigorous
young trees began to form a closed forest canopy. On an annual basis,
an average of 1,104 individual birds of 54 species were encountered
across the 19-year study period. The study site is relatively rugged
and remote for Massachusetts, but offers good recreational opportunities
for observing diverse and relatively stable populations of native forest
birds.
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet on November 12, 2009 at the Westborough Field Headquarters from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting and Public Hearings -- The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd (off North Drive) in Westborough.
Two Public Hearings will be held at the same location. The first hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. relative to rules and regulations pertaining to resident alien minor fishing licenses and correction of certain administrative and typographical errors in license classes. The second public hearing will be held immediately afterwards relative to rules and regulations pertaining to the lists of stocked and non-stocked wildlife management areas and the definition of "installations."
Oral and written public comments are invited at these hearings and written comments will be accepted for 14 days following the Public Hearing. Send written comments to: Fisheries and Wildlife Board, c/o Julie Delaney, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Comments may also be submitted by email to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us, Attn: Fisheries & Wildlife Board.
Both meetings are open to the public and are handicapped accessible.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November - December--Quack, quack! Junior Duck Stamp Traveling Art Exhibits in Holden and Turners Falls--Interested in submitting artwork to the 2010 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest? Take inspiration from traveling exihibits featuring top youth entries from the 2009 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Contest at Wachusett Regional High School's Bowes Gallery in Holden. The exhibit will be on display November 2 - December 21, 2009. For directions and more information, contact Suzanne Breen at (508) 829-6771. A separate exhibit of artwork will be on display at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner's Falls (Montague) from November 6 - December 18, 2009. For further information, call Sarah Bevilaqua at (413) 863-3676.
The JDS contest is modeled after the adult versions of both the state and federal duck stamp competitions. Youth of all ages are encouraged to learn about waterfowl and the importance of wetlands through this conservation contest. The program is sponsored by MassWildlife, the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation, Mass. Waterfowlers Association, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. More information on the JDS Program.
November 7-Second Annual Wildlife Trackers Conference, Leominster--A 1-day conference held by Massachusetts Wildlife Trackers will take place on November 7, 2009, at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster. Peter Mirick, Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine editor, who will speak on "Wildlife Trends: A Century of Success in Massachusetts Wildlife Conservation." The conference will feature presentations on a wide variety of wildlife topics including Ecology and Food Habits of American Mink, Track and Sign Certification, Field Guide to Skulls and Bones, and, Wildlife Habitat and the Importance of Connectivity. Bring a bag lunch and find out how fellow trackers have been using wildlife tracking in their work, share your experiences, and browse exhibits about other tracking-related resources. Registration information and materials are posted. For registration questions and information contact Jane Winn at (413) 442-6815 or jane@thebeatnews.org.
December 2 - 4, 2009-Northeast Mosquito Association Annual Conference,
Sturbridge- The Northeast Mosquito Association is a non-profit,
educational organization of mosquito research and control professionals
from New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This year's
conference will be held in Sturbridge. Among the presentations being
offered, Pat Swain, Natural Community Ecologist from MassWildlife, will
be giving a presentation on "Wetlands as Natural Communities: Massachusetts'
State Classification and Priority Types of Wetland Natural Communities."
Registration is required. Conference
details and registration materials are posted. For any other questions
regarding the conference, email NMCA President Wally Terrill at president@nmca.org.
Last Updated: 11/02/2009