Swampscott Volunteer Needed On Conservation Commission

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – The town is seeking a volunteer for an open position on the Swampscott Conservation Commission.

What exactly does the Conservation Commission do? Briefly, the Conservation Commission is charged with protecting our Town’s natural resources through regulatory permitting and land protection.

The Commission’s primary work involves reviewing projects occurring near and in water-related lands (such as wetlands and floodplains) to ensure that these natural resources are protected in a manner consistent with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Most work proposed to be done in these areas requires a permit from the Commission.

The Commission is also responsible for the care and management of conservation property in town (such as Ewing Woods, Harold King Forest and Palmer Pond). Working with the Town’s Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee, the Commission is currently preparing land use plans for each of the Town’s conservation properties, and taking other actions to ensure that necessary upgrading and maintenance is done on the property.

What do I need to know? It is helpful if applicants have some knowledge of, but at least an interest in, conservation issues. Information on the Conservation Commission is available on the Town’s website and material is provided to new members. In addition, the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, of which Swampscott is a member, provides conservation-related instruction and training through various workshops offered across the state and via webinar.

Visit the Town website (http://www.town.swampscott.ma.us) and click the link on the left-hand side for "Volunteer Applications."

For further information contact Pete Kane, Director of Community Development, at 781.596.8829.

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