Balance Rock State Park in Pittsfield, MA

What's New
Join park advocates, state agency personnel and dozens of supporting organizations to celebrate and further invest in Massachusetts’ public lands in a statewide working session. Event to be held June 9th. Registration starts March 1st. Click here for more information.

To view a slideshow of pictures of our forests and parks submitted by MASSPIRG members, please click here.

Forests & Parks in Crisis
Massachusetts’ character comes from the state’s classic New England landscape -- from the sweeping hills of the Berkshires to the pine forests and sandy beaches of Cape Cod. In a sense, this landscape defines Massachusetts.

Included in this landscape is almost a million acres of public land, encompassing hundreds of public forests, parks, and reservations. From the scenic peaks of the Mount Greylock , to the species-rich coastal plain of Myles Standish State Forest, Massachusetts’ public land offers a bounty of beautiful sanctuaries. The Massachusetts State Forests and Parks system supports dozens of rare species and critical natural communities, boasts exemplary old growth and champion tree sites, and annually attracts more than thirty million visitors who walk, play, camp, bike, hike, and otherwise enjoy these natural resources.

Despite the critical importance of state lands to Massachusetts, our forests and parks system is in crisis. A 1994 report commissioned by the state legislature found the system overburdened, sparsely staffed and poorly maintained. Twelve years later, our state forest and park system is struggling more than ever. Since 2001, the budget for the Department of Conservation and Recreation has declined 30 percent and full-time staff have been cut by 35 percent. Currently, Massachusetts ranks 48th out of the 50 states in per capita spending on forests and parks and last in the nation as a percentage of personal income.

Chronically insufficient state funding, a lack of long-term planning and poor stewardship, combined with pressure from increasing use, have resulted in the deterioration of our forests and parks. This degradation cannot continue. We need to ensure that our landscape and natural heritage is protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. We are calling on our leaders to provide the resources our forests, parks and beaches need and deserve. By doing so, we can bring World Class Forests and Parks back to Massachusetts.

How You Can Help
We must work to deliver adequate funding for responsible land management, proper maintenance and enforcement. Please email Governor-elect Patrick to urge him to protect our forests and parks by supporting increased funding for our state forests and parks system.

Brief Summary
To protect our forests and parks for the future, we must start with a common vision.

The Massachusetts Forests and Parks Partnership

MASSPIRG is a founding member of the Massachusetts Forests and Parks Partnership, which also includes the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, Mass Audubon and the Sierra Club of Massachusetts chapter.

MASSPIRG, as a member of the Partnership, is urging the state to protect the public lands that we have set aside for their natural beauty, their ecological and recreational value, and the character they give our state. We are calling on Governor Romney to protect our forests and parks by adopting our three-point platform:

• Manage our state forests and parks to enhance and protect public values: recreation, wildlife and natural resources.
• Deliver the necessary funding and staffing for responsible land stewardship, ongoing maintenance and diligent enforcement of environmental laws.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for citizen participation in setting priorities and goals for our public lands. More.

Resources
Read our letter to DCR about the Langwood Commons Project, 11/20/06
Click here to read and sign the parks pledge
Op-Ed in the Malden Observer, From leader to last: The demise of our state parks, 10/20/06
Op-Ed in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Saving the state's parks and forests, 10/16/06
Story on WCVB-TV, Groups Complain That State Parks Deteriorating 5/1/06
Forests and Parks Partnership website
Report: "Our Forests and Parks In Crisis"