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Did You Know? Over 4,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat were protected for wildlife and the public by MassWildlife in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007). Key wildlife habitat was protected through the efforts of MassWildlife and the Department of Fish and Game in 35 towns. Properties ranged from.1 of an acre to in Wareham to 400 acres in Leyden. These lands will be added to the list over 160,000 acres currently under the care and control of MassWildlife, most of which are Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). |
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Resources & Links |
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| 40-B? 40-R? CH. 61? MEPA? HAC? MACC? The new Audubon book, Shaping
the Future of Your Community by Heidi Ricci, Senior Policy
Analyst for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, is an excellent compass
for navigating
through the maze of local boards, committees, State departments
and laws when dealing with development or trying to preserve land
for conservation. Sharon Friends of Conservation highly recommends
this up-to-date, clearly written book for both new and veteran
conservation activists. The guidebook offers you
the tools for active involvement. It also guides you in determining
what you can do to minimize the impacts of a development project
that has already been proposed. Using this guide, you can craft
and implement effective strategies. The entire book can be downloaded
from: Crystal Spring Center for Earth Learning Crystal Spring Center for Earth Learning, 76 Everett Skinner Rd, Plainville. The Center is committed to a sustainable, bioregionally appropriate way of life. Easy trails. Interesting programs. Drive: I-95 South to I-495 North (Exit 6B) to Rte 1 South (Exit 14B), 1.5 miles, turn right on George St., which becomes Everett Skinner Rd. 508-699-7167. White Mountain Guidebook The Appalachian Mountain Club's White Mountain Guidebook is now available online. The venerable guide contains information on over 500 trails and detailed maps that you can use to plan your next hike. An annual subscription is available for $15 ($12 for AMC members) and a free 14-day trial lets you try the guide before you buy. WaterSense The mission of WaterSense, a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by supporting for water-efficient products and services. Saving water is easy Ñ many products are available for use, and it doesn't require changing the way most of us live or do business. By choosing products labeled through the WaterSense program, you know you'll be saving water for future generations. Living on Earth from National Public Radio Sunday from 7:00-8:00 a.m. on WBUR, 90.9 FM, you can hear Living on Earth,NPR's environmental news and information program. Check out their website… Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is an informal organization of Massachusetts land trusts and conservation organizations. Subscribe to the very useful e-mail letter, MassLand E-News, by sending an e-mail request to info@massland.org. Neponset River Watershed Association Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) has created a demonstration rain garden to show how water can be saved while still growing an attractive garden. Local Government Environmental Assistance Network The Local Government
Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) is a "first-stop
shop" providing environmental management, planning, funding,
and regulatory information for local government elected and appointed
officials, managers and staff. LGEAN enables local officials
to interact with their peers and others online. In an effort
to reach all local governments, LGEAN also manages a toll-free
telephone service (877/865-4326). Squirrel Nest Webcam The squirrel nest webcam site can really get you up close and personal. It gives a new picture every 3 seconds. The squirrel nest webcam is designed to give a close-up view of the inside of a squirrel nest where a mother squirrel is raising its babies. This nest is located in a kestrel box mounted some 20 feet up in a silver maple tree in a suburban back yard. The camera is mounted inside a piece of PVC tubing that is fitted into the roof of the kestrel box. An array of holes covered with squares of frosted plastic supplies diffuse lighting to the interior of the nest. Nearby are a number of mature trees that produce an array of seeds, nuts, acorns, pinecones, and buds that provide food attractive to squirrels. Nearby birdfeeders supply an added attraction. The squirrel cam is live or recorded depending on the season. |
Federal Duck Stamps Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as “Duck Stamps,” are pictorial stamps produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They are not valid for postage. Originally created in 1934 as the federal licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck Stamps have a much larger purpose today. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System and sales of Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $670 million, which has been used to help purchase or lease over 5.2 million acres of waterfowl habitat since 1934. Eagle Cam II The BioDiversity Research Institute's live eagle webcam is 70 feet up in a white pine tree on the coast of Maine, and provides live video of a nesting pair of bald eagles, 24 hours a day. In season, there is also a loon webcam. Blue Hills "Preserve the Beauty" Photo Contest The winners of the Friends of the Blue Hills 2007 Preserve the Beauty photo contest were announced at their annual meeting recently. Adopt a Stream The Adopt a Stream program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Riverways Program works with citizens to support and develop projects in watersheds across the state that restore habitat and natural stream structure, protect flow and identify and prevent non-point source pollution. Adopt-A-Stream provides a suite of monitoring and restoration tools that help citizens become active stewards of their watersheds. Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Links Sharon's Atlantic white cedar swamp, the water purification system of our town's drinking water, is endangered. Here are links to more information on this important natural resource. Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Communities Eagle Cam website Refuse to Use ChemLawn A project of the Toxics Action Center in Boston, Refuse to Use ChemLawn outlines the possible dangers of the pesticides that the largest U.S. lawn-care company sprays on lawns every day. A highlight of their website is their page of tips on growing a truly organic (and green!) lawn. Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters is a statewide, non-partisan organization dedicated to making environmental protection a top priority for Massachusetts elected officials, candidates, and voters in order to protect our environment and health. Environmental Action and Learning Center "e"—The Environmental Action and Learning Center science education paired with community action leads to environmental change in urban communities. Their mission: To educate parents and children, elders, educators, and community leaders about the science that underlies our unique and complex environment and then involve them in the important and exciting actions required to restore and retain our communities' and our earth's environmental balance. Community Source Water Protection Initiative The Community Source Water Protection Initiative offers mini-grants for projects that support the protection and restoration of drinking water sources. Info: Eddie Scher at 202/298-2395. |
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