Timber Harvesting and Snowmobile Trails in Massachusetts
Timber Harvesting and Snowmobile Trails in Massachusetts By Randy Toth Mention the word logging today and many people immediately assume the worst. They envision “clear-cut” logging – cutting down every tree in sight for miles around. The Department of Conservation ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 in Environment, In The News, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, environment, public lands
2017 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program
The 2017 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program grant round is now open! Please visit the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) website for updated grant guidelines, application materials, and past awarded projects Check out the SAM clubs that were awarded grants this past ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 in General Announcements, In The News, News & Updates
Tags: clubs, DCR, press release, public lands, volunteers
2016 Recreational Trails Program
The Baker-Polito Administration announced the awarding of 30 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants for projects in local communities throughout the state totaling $1,052,985. The RTP grants, ranging from $500 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project, serve as ...Read more
Published on Saturday, September 24, 2016 in Awards, News & Updates
Tags: clubs, DCR, environment, in the news, legislative, press release, public lands
DCR Public Meetings for Forest Management Projects
DCR Announces Public Meetings for Forest Management Projects in H.O. Cook, October Mountain, Sandisfield, Savoy, Wendell, Oakham and Townsend State Forests. The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Bureau of Forestry will be hosting the following public meetings to discuss ...Read more
Published on Thursday, March 10, 2016 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, public lands
Effective Engagement with Members of Congress
Effective Engagement with Members of Congress for snowmobile enthusiasts By Ed Klim, President, International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association. For the past 15 years I have felt it necessary to make regular trips to Washington DC to promote snowmobile enthusiasts’ access to public ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: ISMA, legislative, opinion, public lands
2016 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant Applications Open
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has just announced that the 2016 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program grant applications are open. Information Sessions: Three information sessions will be held to inform and update the public on the Recreational Trails Program, ...Read more
Published on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Education, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, education, public lands
DCR Partnerships Matching Funds Program
DCR Commissioner Carol I. Sanchez announces DCR Partnerships Matching Funds Program. PRESS RELEASE, May 22, 2015 Dear Partners: I am pleased to announce the launch of the first phase of the FY16 DCR Partnerships Matching Funds Program. The Partnerships Matching ...Read more
Published on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, press release, public lands
Chainsaw Safety Class
May 30-31, 2015 9am-4pm at Bridgewater State University June 27-28, 2015 9am-4pm at Notchview Reservation, Windsor, MA. This class is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB) and the Recreational Trails ...Read more
Published on Sunday, May 17, 2015 in Education, News & Updates, Safety
Tags: DCR, education, public lands, safety, volunteers
Snowmobile Facts vs. Fiction: Fight Misinformation
There are many false claims made about snowmobiling and it’s important that you understand snowmobile facts vs. fiction, and fight misinformation. There is a myth that snowmobilers have plenty of trails to ride but those making such claims do not ...Read more
Published on Saturday, December 27, 2014 in Education, News & Updates
Tags: education, opinion, public lands, sam, volunteers
New Trend for Land and Snowmobile Trails (Larry Tucker)
This is the time of year to get our trails cleaned and ready for the coming snowmobile season. The trail crews for all the clubs are out there working on our most important asset – our trails. My club has ...Read more
Published on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Environment, Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, environment, opinion, public lands
Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program 2015
The Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program 2015 Grant Round is OPEN! Grant Deadline Date: February 2, 2015 The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded grant program created through the National Recreational Trail Fund Act as a part of the ...Read more
Published on Sunday, November 16, 2014 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, press release, public lands, trail-riding, volunteers
Recreational Trails Program
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) accepts applications for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants on an annual basis. The next deadline for all RTP grants is February 1st, 2015. Only application materials delivered or post-marked by February 1st ...Read more
Published on Thursday, October 2, 2014 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, education, environment, public lands
2014 Massachusetts Trails Conference
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in partnership with the Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB) presents the 2014 Massachusetts Trails Conference to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center in ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, education, environment, public lands
Committee To Plan National Forest Designation
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments has contacted 20 communities, requesting that the town Select Boards appoint a representative to the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership Advisory Committee to study the National Forest Designation. The deadline is July 25, 2014. There are ...Read more
Published on Sunday, June 29, 2014 in Environment, National, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, environment, National, opinion, public lands
DCR Releases Volunteer in Parks Program Guide
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation releases their new Volunteer in the Parks Program Guide policy “with an opportunity to achieve the goal of standardizing and simplifying the process for proposing, reviewing, and conducting all volunteer activities – whether ...Read more
Published on Friday, May 2, 2014 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, DCR, environment, Grooming, press release, public lands, volunteers
National Forest Designation Public Meetings
Do you support or oppose land being designated as National Forest in Massachusetts? There is a proposal by the state and the U.S. Forest Service that would provide federal funds to expand forestry activities on privately owned land. Those lands ...Read more
Published on Monday, February 10, 2014 in General Announcements, National, News & Updates
Tags: access, environment, legislative, National, press release, public lands
Snowmobiles and Land Partnerships in Massachusetts (Larry Tucker)
The Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts has worked to create an awareness of SAM among public and private land agencies. Over the last couple of years SAM has established relationships with land trusts, has partnered with a land trust to purchase ...Read more
Published on Sunday, January 26, 2014 in Guest Columns, Legislative Affairs, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, environment, legislative, opinion, public lands
Snowmobile Trails Damaged By Illegal Use
An open letter from the Florida Mountaineers Snowmobile Club. Our Club experienced a very disturbing incident on Sunday, December, 1, 2013. At approximately 2:30 PM, our club president’s cell phone started ringing off the hook from various landowners stating that ...Read more
Published on Friday, December 13, 2013 in Guest Columns, In The News, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, environment, public lands, volunteers
Massachusetts Trails Conference (Larry Tucker)
While this past summer did have its hot spells, overall it was real nice with beautiful weather. I hope everyone was able to enjoy some cookouts, camping, the beach and some parties. While we put our sleds away for the ...Read more
Published on Monday, November 4, 2013 in Legislative Affairs, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, education, environment, people, public lands, sam
RTP Grants Open – Workshops Announced
The 2014 Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program Grant Round is now OPEN! SAM Clubs are encouraged to apply for grants that create or improve trails, purchase equipment to maintain trails, grooming equipment and other trails related projects. Please visit the Recreational ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 in General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: DCR, Grooming, public lands, safety, trail-riding, volunteers
Access to Yellowstone by Snowmobiles (Jack Welch)
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the signing of the Yellowstone Winter Use Plan Record of Decision by Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels. The ROD officially completes the Winter Use Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) process. The ROD assures ...Read more
Published on Sunday, September 15, 2013 in Guest Columns, Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates
Tags: National, opinion, press release, public lands
Senate Amendment Would Remove RTP Funds From Trails
The Coalition for Recreational Trails and The Blue Ribbon Coalition are asking that you contact your U.S. Senators in regards to Recreational Trails Program (RTP) money being diverted away from trail use. UPDATE 08/04/13 Thanks to everyone who took action. ...Read more
Published on Thursday, July 25, 2013 in In The News, Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates
Tags: in the news, legislative, National, press release, public lands
DCR Volunteers in Parks Program Guide Draft
The DCR released a draft of their newly proposed policy as it relates to volunteers and non-profit organizations working at DCR properties. All snowmobile clubs should review the document and comment, both to the DCR and the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts. ...Read more
Published on Sunday, June 23, 2013 in General Announcements, In The News, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, in the news, legislative, public lands, volunteers
Comment on Yellowstone Proposed Rule for Winter Use
SITUATION The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the release of a Proposed Rule concerning winter use inYellowstone National Park for public review and comment. This rulemaking process is in addition to the Final Winter Use Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ...Read more
Published on Friday, June 14, 2013 in Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates, Snowmobile Travel
Tags: access, environment, legislative, National, opinion, press release, public lands, travel
Yellowstone Snowmobile Trek to Old Faithful (Jack Welch)
On Sunday the 13th of January, I had the opportunity to join a guided group on the trek from West Yellowstone, Montana to view the many thermal features, several groups of wildlife, and Old Faithful. I have visited Yellowstone in ...Read more
Published on Friday, February 1, 2013 in Guest Columns, National, News & Updates, Snowmobile Travel
Tags: access, people, public lands, travel
Permanent Snowmobile Trail Protection (video)
Permanent Trail Protection – Learn how to set up permanent snowmobile trails via the use of land easements. Topics include how to approach landowners, assessing trail easement values, reassuring landowners and closing the deal. The workshop was presented at the ...Read more
Published on Thursday, November 8, 2012 in Education, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, education, opinion, public lands
Recreational Trails Program Reauthorized for Two More Years
From the Coalition For Recreational Trails: Washington, D.C. -The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the funding program that has sustained state trail programs for two decades, has been reauthorized as part of the transportation bill approved by the U. S. Congress ...Read more
Published on Monday, July 9, 2012 in Featured, General Announcements, News & Updates
Tags: in the news, press release, public lands
American Council of Snowmobile Associations E-News (Christine Jourdain)
Snowmobilers on Capitol Hill Snowmobilers from 20 states (including SAM members) were in Washington, DC March 17-20 to “Tell the Truth About Snowmobiling.” This is the 13th Annual Snowmobile Fly-In. Sunday was a day for meetings! The Western and Midwest ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates
Tags: access, education, environment, ISC 2012, legislative, National, opinion, public lands
ACSA Fly-In to Washington DC (Randy Toth)
SAM President Dan Gould and Legislative Chairman Randy Toth attended the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) annual Washington DC Fly-In from March 17 through March 20, 2012. To be more accurate we actually went via AMTRAK. On Sunday the ...Read more
Published on Sunday, March 25, 2012 in Guest Columns, Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates
Tags: access, education, environment, legislative, National, opinion, public lands
American Council of Snowmobile Associations E-News (Christine Jourdain)
RTP Update: Hopefully by now, you all know about the Recreational Trails Program. This program is funded by the federal gas tax dollars you pay every time you fill your snowmobile or other OHV. This program is housed in the ...Read more
Published on Monday, March 5, 2012 in Legislative Affairs, National, News & Updates
Tags: access, legislative, National, public lands
