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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 four committees that meet regularly to discuss finance, policy, stakeholders, and conservation. 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 former 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, former DCR 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, Laura Jasinski

Members

Stewardship Councilors
Dicken Crane
Chair
Berkshire County		Susan Smiley
Vice Chair
Worcester County		Jeffrey Collins
Secretary
Environmental Seat
Jack Buckley
Middlesex County		Ann Canedy
Barnstable County		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
7/1/20263:00pmZoomFinance Committee Meeting
7/9/20269:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
9/10/202611:30amLeo J. Martin Memorial Golf CourseStakeholders Committee Meeting
9/10/20261:00pmLeo J. Martin Memorial Golf CourseMonthly Meeting
10/2/20268:30amZoomStakeholders Committee Meeting
10/8/20269:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
11/6/20268:30amZoomStakeholders Committee Meeting
11/12/20269:00amZoomMonthly Meeting
12/10/2026TBDTBDStakeholders Committee Meeting
12/10/2026TBDTBDMonthly Meeting

Recent Meetings

DateMeeting
4/9/2026Monthly Meeting
4/10/2026Stakeholders Committee Meeting
5/1/2026Stakeholders Committee Meeting
5/13/2026Monthly Meeting
5/13/2026Joint Meeting with MassWildlife Board
6/11/2026Monthly Meeting
6/12/2026Stakeholders Committee Meeting
6/25/2026Policy Committee Meeting
6/26/2026Conservation Committee Meeting
Past Meeting Information 

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