Volunteers Sought for "Friends of Swampscott Conservation Land"

A group of Swampscott residents are organizing a stewardship organization to help support the conservation lands within Swampscott. The purpose of such an organization would be to act as stewards for Swampscott’s existing conservation land which includes Harold King Forest, Ewing Woods, Palmer and Muskrat Ponds, Linscott Park, and the Blythswood Easement (off Little's Point Road). While not created by the Town, this volunteer stewardship organization would work in partnership with the Town and collaborate with the Town’s Conservation Commission, Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee, and Department of Public Works to ensure the protection of Swampscott’s conservation land.

As an initial step, an organizational meeting has been scheduled for February 8th at 7:00 pm in the backroom at Panera Bread at 433 Paradise Road (Vinnin Square) to discuss a potential mission statement for the organization, short-term and long-term goals, and how the organization would be set up and operate. More substantive topics for discussion would be: increasing awareness of the town’s conservation land among residents; improving access to such properties; acquiring new properties; and addressing the spread of invasive species.