Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board

02/03/2023

Looking for volunteers for our Fundraising Committee. If you have a passion for preserving our trails and you don't mind us horsey people, we would love to have you!
BSTRA, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission of trail improvements, preservation, and acquisition. The Fundraising Committee’s role is to obtain funding for BSTRA’s trail projects by educating potential sponsors about what BSTRA does and offering them an opportunity to be part of the good work we do in the community by making a donation.
This flexible volunteer position supports BSTRA’s annual fundraising efforts, assisting with administration of the existing established fundraising program and reporting their individual results to the Fundraising Chairman. While a volunteer position, it is a great resume builder.
Responsibilities and Duties:
• Contacting existing business sponsors to obtain sponsorship renewals and identifying and contacting potential new sponsors. The existing sponsor list is broken down and assigned to each of the members of the Fundraising Committee with the Chairman directing other members, so the Fundraising Program is implemented in a consistent manner.
• Sending out Contribution Receipts and Thank you Letters to donors and forwarding copies of Sponsor Reply Forms to Fundraising Committee Chairman
• Tracking and reporting donations from both businesses and individuals and providing updates to the Fundraising Committee Chairman
• Attending regular meetings with members of the Fundraising Committee to get direction and provide results
• Assisting with running BSTRA’s National Trails Day Fundraising Event or additional benefit rides if added.
• Assisting with other fundraising opportunities throughout the year
Qualifications and Skills:
• Must be a self-starter with good interpersonal, communication, and sales skills
• Must possess networking and relationship building skills
• Must be able to use Microsoft Word and Email for correspondence and have a printer. Additional desired software skills include Excel and Publisher.
• Some business experience and/or education is highly desirable
Thank you for your time.

04/12/2022

Trail Work Day BSTRA property Douglas MA
April 16 @ 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
We will be establishing a connector trail to connect the Southern New England Trunkline Trail to the trails on town owned land opening up more opportunities to safely use more trails.

8:30 is check in time. Working from 9am to 12pm. Lunch will be provided for volunteers.

Location: Depot St. Parking lot trail head for SNETT. 80 Depot St. Douglas, MA

RAIN DATE April 17th, same time and place.

What should volunteers know about the location?
The address is for GPS purposes only. The parking lot does not have an official address. Across the street from 80 Depot you will see the entrance to the parking lot on your right which is just past Rail Road Ave.

What will volunteers do?
We will be clearing small trees and brush to establish the connector trail. What we clear to make the trail will be taken off the trail and placed into the woods out of the way. There will be one or two qualified people using a chainsaw to take care of the bigger downed trees. If time permits we may have those cut up before the event.

When you arrive you will check in and everyone will receive safety instructions and work instructions ie: how to properly cut brush at ground level, how high to clear, and how to trim up trees.

What will volunteers need to bring or wear?
We will have water available, but you can bring your own when out doing. Please wear appropriate clothing, long pants, sturdy shoes (no sandals). Work gloves. If you have long handled loppers, hand saw or pole saw, those would be welcome.
If you can join us on this work day, please register so we can have a head count and plan accordingly.
Visit our website to register:

We will be establishing a connector trail to connect the Southern New England Trunkline Trail to the trails on town owned land opening up more opportunities to safely use more trails. 8:30 is check in time. Working from 9am to 12pm. Lunch will be provided for volunteers. Location: Depot St. Parking....

11/05/2021

2022 Mass Trail Grants

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06/29/2020

Massachusetts Conservation Voters is seeking support from friends groups to increase funding for the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Show your support for the DCR and for Wompatuck State Park by signing this petition.

Thank you

Pandemic has proven parks and other open spaces are essential services Chuck Anastas and Doug Pizzi | June 17, 2020 In Massachusetts, the pandemic is an unprecedented public health and economic disaster. Thousands have died, tens of thousands are unemployed, state revenues are plummeting, and the fu...

07/16/2019

05/18/2019

DCR Budget Alert: Get more money for the DCR. Here's NEMBA's messsage which has all the information.

DCR Budget Action AlertThe Department of Conservation and Recreation manages over 450,000 acres of land comprising 250 properties around the Commonwealth. These properties include more than 2000 miles of trails that we all enjoy.

04/17/2019

The DCR's FY20 debate is underway. You can help increase DCR funding by making a quick phone call now! The information is on this NEMBA page.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation manages over 450,000 acres of land comprising 250 properties around the Commonwealth. These properties include more than 2000 miles of trails that we all enjoy.

01/08/2019

MASSTRAILS GRANT ROUND NOW OPEN - APPLY ONLINE

The Governor’s Office, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Transportation are thrilled to announce the launch of a new grant program available through MassTrails. MassTrails seeks to expand and connect the Commonwealth’s network of off-road shared use pathways and recreational trails for all users. The first round of grant applications is now open, with an application deadline of February 1, 2019.

WHAT IS MASSTRAILS?

MassTrails is an inter-agency initiative that provides resources, guidance, and now matching grants to communities, public entities, and non-profit organizations to design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail networks, and trails experiences used and enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and visitors. The grants will generally range from $10,000-$100,000, with higher priority projects receiving grants up to $300,000. MassTrails grants can be used for the following, as they pertain to recreational trails, shared use pathways, and path-related amenities:

Project development
Design
Engineering
Permitting
Construction
Maintenance

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED WITH OR LEARN MORE ABOUT MASSTRAILS?

Learn how to apply for a MassTrails grant and discover similar funding programs here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/masstrails-grants

Read up on planning for a shared use path and create cost estimates here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/shared-use-path-planning-and-design-guide

Reach out to the MassTrails team with further questions at [email protected]

MassTrails| https://www.mass.gov/guides/masstrails-grants

The State Organization Index provides an alphabetical listing of government organizations, including commissions, departments, and bureaus.

12/20/2018

Leominster State Forest Land Grab on hold for now.

It was a beautiful fall day, with cool crisp air and plenty of sunlight filtering through the partially bare hardwood trees when I set out to hike the

12/19/2018

Land Grab at the Leominster State Forest put off till next year. Be ready for an alert when this legislation is re-filed.

It was a beautiful fall day, with cool crisp air and plenty of sunlight filtering through the partially bare hardwood trees when I set out to hike the

09/14/2018

Come out next Saturday to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in easthampton for an awesome celebration of Fungi! After all this beautiful rain we will be foraging and identifying many mushrooms and teaching how to grow mushrooms in your back yard.

https://www.facebook.com/events/849580158569427/