"Critical Treasures" Planning Meeting

Boston Chapter Conservation Committee Meeting — 24 June 2008, 7-9p
   Parish of St. Paul Church, Newton Highlands (Directions here.)

What are YOUR "Critical Treasures?"

Come discuss potential "Critical Treasures" with Mike Gildesgame, the AMC new policy manager for Southern New England. It is great to have someone at the AMC focused on areas closer to home. One of Mike's first initiatives is identifying "Critical Treasures" and then working with the various chapters to a) get them more attention — including local walks, family outings and a clean-up or two and b) make sure that they are getting the fiscal attention they deserve from local communities and the state.

• The June Meeting will focus on the inital set of Critical Treasures of interest to the Boston Chapter,
      and help us develop program surrounding Critical Treasure promotion, protection and use.

Generally, Critical Treasures have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Priority areas with significant value for open space preservation, watershed protection, habitats
      for plants and wildlife, and/or outdoor recreation in need of protection because they are
      threatenedby development or other activities; and/or
   
• Public lands that are in need of increased attention or resources to address neglected but outstanding
      recreational or natural features; and/or
   
• Lands that are preserved but have adjacent lands in need of protection to preserve the integrity
      of the critical treasure.

Once these areas have been identified, the idea is that volunteer leaders in paddling, hiking or other activities can combine their love for being outdoors by leading a trip to a "critical treasure" area and listing it as such in a trip description (the Outdoors chapter listings now have a Conservation Program icon that can be used for these events). By identifying a DCR facility or other area as a critical treasure, we can raise members’ awareness of resource protection issues and, by highlighting the important conservation and recreational values of these areas, we provide a focus for obtaining resources needed for their protection. A list of these areas can provide the basis for a good conversation with a state representative or senator or their aides to promote needed protection.