Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Partnership to hold conference in Upton on Dec 7

The Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network 6th Annual Conference will be held on Saturday December 7, from 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM At VFW Post 5594 located at 15 Milford Street, Upton MA 01568.

The Friends Network Conference will focus on strengthening cooperation between Friends groups and volunteers of all types; and, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

The morning session will feature the DCR Commissioner Jack Murray, speaking to the theme: “Strengthening Cooperation between DCR and Friends Group Partnerships” and Joseph R. Orfant, DCR’s Bureau Chief of Planning and Resource Protection, addressing: “How Friends groups can help develop a Resource Management Plan (RMP) and the role they play in protecting natural and cultural resources.”

The afternoon session will feature the DCR Bureau of Ranger Services Acting Chief Ranger Chris Williams, discussing “DCR Rangers’ Duties and Jurisdiction”.
Your input is valuable. Please come, join the discussion, and join the Friends Network!

Friends groups from around the Commonwealth will show examples of how they have been successful in enhancing their parks and forests and the challenges they are addressing as DCR partners and volunteers.

The Friends Network 2013 Volunteer of the Year Awards and the 2013 DCR Friend of the Year Awards will be presented during the morning session. Come and add your thanks to the exceptional volunteers and the DCR staff whose enthusiasm and devotion have made a positive difference in Massachusetts’ forests, parks, beaches and trails. The goal of the conference is strengthening volunteer engagement benefiting all DCR parklands.

A full conference agenda and pre-registration is available online. Walk-ins are welcome. URL: http://www.networkingfriends.net Contact information: friend@networkingfriends.net Cost: $5.00. The deadline for the catered lunch has passed. Please bring you own bag lunch. Parking is free and the building is accessible. If you have photos of your group in action that you would like to share as we introduce Friends and other volunteer groups, please send high–resolution photos (limit 3) to friend@networkingfriends.net.