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. In addition, you should attend one of the upcoming meetings that will be announced soon.
June 21, 2013
Dear Volunteers and Friends of the Massachusetts State Parks System,
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is pleased to share our revised draft of DCR’s Volunteers in Parks Program Guide as a first step in our upcoming public review process. DCR’s Volunteers in Parks Program Guide reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to encouraging public involvement in the protection and care of our natural, cultural, and recreational resources and aims to engage volunteers and nonprofit organizations in the stewardship of these special landscapes and facilities.
Guided by passage of An Act Relative to Volunteers at State Parks, which was signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick and is codified inMGL c. 21, § 17G, DCR’s Volunteers in Parks Program not only encourages volunteerism, but also establishes new guidelines for extending liability protections to volunteers and nonprofit organizations engaged in activities that support and promote DCR’s mission and our parks system.
At this time, we are making a copy of the draft Volunteers in Parks Program Guide available to the public by visiting the following link:http://www.mass.gov/dcr/draftvolunteerpolicy.pdf. DCR will also be seeking public input through a series of public meetings and a subsequent 30-day public comment period. Public meeting dates and locations will be announced soon.
DCR is proud of our role as the primary steward of the resources under our care and our mission to conserve these resources for the use and enjoyment of our residents and visitors. As an agency, we also recognize the value added by our volunteers and the role that they can play in our efforts to “protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all.” As such, DCR is committed to welcoming, facilitating, and safely involving volunteers in the stewardship of our parks and forests.
With this goal in mind, DCR’s draft Volunteers in Parks Program Guide seeks to accomplish several important objectives:
DCR believes that this updated and revised draft will help to facilitate safe and effective volunteer experiences while ensuring that park resources benefit both from the inspiration of volunteers and the professional stewardship of DCR staff.
We hope you will take a moment to read our draft and that you will join us at one of our upcoming public meetings. As always, we appreciate your input and contributions to our parks system and look forward to continued partnership opportunities.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Lambert, Jr.
Commissioner
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