Dear Parks Supporter,
We have two opportunities for you to support state parks!
The first is on Monday, August 12, when the Department of Conservation and Recreation Stewardship Council's Stakeholders Committee will hold its second listening session for park users, park friends groups and other stakeholders via Zoom from 6:30-8 p.m. ET.
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.
Monday's session will focus on what participants see as the greatest improvement at DCR, and what they see as the greatest operational need at DCR. The Council will use this feedback to inform its policy and other decisions as it seeks to help guide DCR as the agency rebuilds our parks.
You should register ahead of time here, and if you wish to speak during the session, please contact Matthew Perry at matthew.s.perry1@mass.gov. Matthew will organize and call upon speakers during the meeting. Please note that the meeting will be recorded.
You can view the first Stakeholders Committee listening session, held on February 26, 2024, on YouTube here.
The second opportunity is available now: click here to send a thank you message to your state legislators!
Mass Parks for All (MPA) recently reported on the FY2025 budget signed into law by the Healey-Driscoll Administration on July 29. The budget gives DCR a combined $8.4 million increase for day-to-day operations and seasonal employees, who staff DCR facilities during peak use periods. MPA feels this budget, especially in light of ongoing fluctuations in state tax revenues, will allow the agency to continue the progress it made during the last two budget cycles.
Together, we sought substantial budget increases for DCR for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and the Legislature and the Administration, recognizing our parks are essential, delivered. Over that two-year period, DCR's operations budget has increased by 29 percent, to $110.00 million, while the seasonal employee account went up by 18 percent, to $28.5 million. During the same period, the overall state budget increased by 9.7 percent, to $57.8 billion.
Please join us in thanking your elected state officials for recognizing the value DCR brings to our lives and for having the agency's back, even during fiscally unstable times.
Yours in conservation,
Doug Pizzi
Executive Director
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