Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Investment for Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative

"We've done the review – now we're following the science. 

Today's recommendations are the outcome of months of hard work and collaboration with the Climate Forestry Committee. 

We're proud to have resilience at the forefront of our forest management recommendations."

Press Release: 

"Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $50 Million Investment and Milestones for Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative"

Climate Forestry Committee Issues Recommendations for Climate-Oriented Forest Management Practices

Shared from -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-50-million-investment-and-milestones-for-forests-as-climate-solutions-initiative

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Investment for Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative

Franklin Residents: Trails and Walking Paths to use (at a social distance!) with others

Trails and Walking Paths

We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these uncertain and unprecedented times, it is still important to get outside, breathe fresh air and de-stress, all while practicing social distancing. 

We hope you find it helpful and use the trails and paths respectfully and responsibly. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

along one of the trails in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St)

Second Sunday Speaker Series continues at the Franklin Historical Museum - Sep 9

SECOND SUNDAY SPEAKER SERIES continues at the Franklin Historical Museum

The Amazing Story of the Franklin State Forest

Sunday September 9 at 1:15 PM

Most people, of a certain age, know the term CCC. A public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed and unmarried men. There were CCC camps and environmental projects in every state. The project was responsible for planting more than three billion trees and constructed trails and shelters in more than 800 parks nationwide during its nine years of existence. These programs and projects helped to shape the modern national and state park systems we enjoy today. Join us to learn about Franklin's own CCC Camp and it's place in this program's history/

Contrary to what a casual observer might assume, the Franklin State Forest is not the forest primeval - undisturbed by humans -- but a "modern" invention – spawned by a 1914 act of the Massachusetts legislature that authorized gradual creation of state forests around the commonwealth. It was finally made a reality during the Great Depression through "bargain" land purchases and with plantings and improvements by President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps, which had a large encampment in town for a time. Further modest enlargements were made in the late 20th century. 

Join us Sunday afternoon, September 9 at 1:15 as local historian Alan Earls, tells the forest's story through Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) records, maps, and film clips made in 1935 by Franklin's pioneer documentarian, Stanley Chilson.

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and admission is always free.

Join us, and learn your history!

Second Sunday Speaker Series continues at the Franklin Historical Museum - Sep 9

Guided Nature Walk - Saturday, Jun 11 at 8 AM

The Stony Brook Nature Center in Norfolk is hosting a free event in Franklin this Saturday. Please see the attachment. We would appreciate any assistance that you can provide to spread the word.

one of the trails in the Franklin Town Forest off Summer St

In the News: high school fields, Park Serve Day

The three new athletic fields at Franklin High School are now under construction, with the turf field expected to open first, just in time for the fall sports season. 

Although the new high school has been open since September, the work represents the final phase of a $104.5 million project that began in October 2012.
The school will host fields for baseball, softball, football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. 

The baseball and softball fields, located on the footprint of the razed high school building, will not be ready until 2017, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. While construction will likely wrap up over the summer, the grass needs time to grow.

the site of the future turf field as it appeared on Apr 12

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150424/NEWS/150427311/1994/NEWS

You can find all the comments that Jeff Nutting made during the Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-apr-22.html

Several local parks are participating in the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's annual Park Serve Day on Saturday. 

The program encourages residents to help DCR staff get parks and beaches ready for summer by cleaning coastlines, clearing trails, planting flowers, painting picnic tables, mowing, weeding and picking up litter, according to a press release from DCR. 

“This effort is a true collaboration, in partnership with residents, friends groups and local officials, which will benefit the tens of thousands of visitors heading to DCR parks this season,” DCR Commissioner Jack Murray said in the release. “We all have a role to play in preserving and enhancing our forests and parks. Park Serve Day provides an opportunity for residents to experience our great resources first-hand and spread the word about what the commonwealth has to offer.”

The Franklin State Forest is on the listing for action today. Continue reading the article for details on how to participate.
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150423/NEWS/150428026/1994/NEWS

You can register online for this activity on the DCR webpage here
http://web1.env.state.ma.us/DCR/MassParksPublic#/main/Calendar#mainTab

"the loggers will create a fire road"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 01, 2009 @ 11:19 PM

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FRANKLIN —

For the first time since the town commissioned its long-term forestation program study in 2000, officials will step into the woods with paintguns and begin marking up ill-fated trees, said Conservation Commission member Paul Boncek.

Barring unforeseen weather problems, Boncek will accompany registered forester Philip Benjamin of Easton on Wednesday to examine the town's open space. Benjamin conducted the study and "is intimately familiar" with the property, just off Summer Street.

Using a remote camera, Boncek will record their walk through the woods, stopping at various trees to explain why they are choosing to knock down each particular one, he said. He plans to put the recording on cable access television so people have a better understanding of the process and the purpose of the forestation program, he said.

"It's a unique thing and people often don't understand it," Boncek said. "After we mark up all these trees, sunlight makes the young trees grow up and older ones get more sunlight and become healthier."

read the full story about the reforestation planning in the Milford Daily News here

"as you learn more, you evolve "

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Jun 27, 2008 @ 12:10 AM

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FRANKLIN —

The Conservation Commission last night took a step forward in its plan to cut select trees from about 25 acres of the Franklin State Forest bordering Summer Street to keep the forest healthy and thriving.

The commission voted to allow Conservation Agent Nick Alfieri to prepare an request for a proposal to hire a consultant who will draw up a forest management plan.

Two commission members, Pearce Murphy and Jon Fournier, voted against the plan. "I feel ... for 10,000 years, forests have survived" without human intervention, Pearce said.

Commenting that he is not speaking for or against the plan, Alfieri advised the commission that it will have complete control over which trees it wants chopped, and they can change their minds even after consultants create a plan.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here