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DCR Stewardship Council

The DCR Stewardship Council is a thirteen member citizen advisory council appointed by the Governor.

Established by the Massachusetts legislature in 2003, the Stewardship Council is an independent body consisting of 13 members appointed by the Governor that assists and oversees DCR. The Council meets monthly to discuss issues pertaining to state parks, to hear presentations from DCR staff and outside partner organizations, and to receive public comments. The Council also has three committees that meet regularly to discuss finance, policy, and stakeholders. Learn how to become a guest presenter at an upcoming meeting.

The Stewardship Council stands in the Senate Reading Room at the Massachusetts State House with DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo.
The DCR Stewardship Council held its December 14, 2023 meeting at the Massachusetts State House. Back row from left to right: Dicken Crane, Kevin O'Shea, Jeff Collins, Commissioner Brian Arrigo, Jack Buckley Front row from left to right: Jennifer Wilson, Ted Dooley, Dennis Smith, Melissa Harper, Vivian Ortiz, Susan Smiley Not pictured: Ann Canedy, Phil Doherty

Members

Stewardship Councilors
Dicken Crane
Chair
Berkshire County		Susan Smiley
Vice Chair
Worcester County		Ann Canedy
Secretary
Barnstable County
Jack Buckley
Middlesex County		Jeffrey Collins
Environmental Seat		Phil Doherty
Norfolk County
Ted Dooley
Essex County		Melissa Harper
Plymouth County		Laura Jasinski
Environmental Seat
Kevin O'Shea
Boston		Vivian Ortiz
Suffolk County		Dennis Smith
Plymouth County
Jennifer N.S. Wilson
Middlesex County		  
Councilor Biographies 

Upcoming Meetings

DateTimeLocationMore Information
6/26/202511:00am

Peddocks Island

Ferry schedule available on the Boston Harbor Islands website.

Monthly Meeting
7/11/20258:00amZoomStakeholders Committee Meeting
7/24/20259:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
9/11/20251:00pmNotch Visitor Center, 1500 West St, Amherst, MA 01002Monthly Meeting
10/9/20259:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
11/13/20259:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
12/11/20251:00pmTBDMonthly Meeting

Recent Meetings

DateMeeting
3/13/2025Monthly Meeting
4/10/2025Monthly Meeting
4/29/2025Policy Committee Meeting
5/2/2025Stakeholders Committee Meeting
5/8/2025Monthly Meeting
6/10/2025Joint Conservation and Policy Committees Meeting
6/13/2025Stakeholders Committee Meeting
Past Meeting Information 

Contact

Online

Email Matthew Perry, DCR Manager of Stewardship Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Matthew.s.perry1@mass.gov

Address

Department of Conservation & Recreation
State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza | Suite 6620 , Boston, MA 02116
Directions 

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