About Us

The Bay State Trail Riders Association is an organization whose #1 priority is keeping trails open for equestrian use. We also advocate for multi-use trails that are horse friendly such as hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, running and snowshoeing.

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Mission

Trails play a remarkable role in all of our lives. As one of our greatest assets, trails enable us to explore, travel and savor the world’s natural wonders. They are the best way to see nature’s hidden treasures and the easiest way to encourage children, as well as adults, to adopt healthy lifestyles.

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Membership

There are so many reasons to join BSTRA. Join us this year and become one of our many members having fun riding the trails at BSTRA events. Learn about all the benefits of being a member and how you can contribute to saving trails for trail riding in Massachusetts.

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Calendar

Bay State Trail Riders Association, Inc. has a busy schedule of events, including trail rides, work days, meetings, etc. Use our calendar and map to stay up to date on everything we have planned, to select events you would like to attend, and to get registration information. You can even register online.

Our rides are fun and social, and you ride at your own pace on marked trails through state forests and other locations. After the ride catch up with old friends and meet new friends over lunch served to registered riders.

Calendar

Featured Sponsors

Highlights of Recent Work

April 3, 2021 DCR’s Douglas State Forest
August 10, 2021

May 1, 2021 Trail Work At Hodges Village Dam
August 10, 2021

April 19, 2021 Geo-textile Bridge Upton State Forest
August 10, 2021

April 17, 2021West Hill Dam Trail Work Day
August 10, 2021

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Bay State Trail Riders Association

3 days ago

Reminder: Only 2 weeks away from 2/4 deadline for Awards Luncheon Registration!Register soon!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Bay State Trail Riders Association

4 days ago

As you know, the Special Legislative Commission on the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has issued its final report. This report paints an accurate picture of what DCR needs in order to deliver the first-class state park system we deserve and can afford, especially with the influx of federal dollars to the state. And as part of an organization that has worked with DCR since the early 1980’s I can tell you first hand that I have witnessed the decimation of DCR staff in the field year by year. Yes, we do a lot of volunteer work on the trails, but it is a drop in the bucket with the maintenance backlog that has now accrued. It basically has now become management by crisis! Not the way to run any agency.In summary, the biggest takeaway is the acknowledgment that DCR is woefully underfunded operationally. As hard as it is to believe, DCR's FY22 parks and recreation operations account is about $4.0 million shy of the FY09 operations budget. The report also acknowledged that the agency has a $1.0 billion deferred maintenance backlog. There's no doubt that our statewide parks and open spaces have offered us haven from the pandemic since its inception in 2019. As a result, all facilities, particularly in our environmental justice neighborhoods, have increased deferred maintenance needs. We understand that the critical work of climate resiliency is, perhaps, funding best left for the federal infrastructure money coming to the state. But DCR lands stayed open and free from the first-year onslaught of the pandemic. Surely, we have learned the importance, particularly in urban areas, of having first-rate open space available to our citizens for their mental and physical health.Unfortunately, the Legislature cut Gov. Charlie Baker's proposed $100 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for DCR to $15 million. But the good news is there are still about $2.3 billion in ARPA and state budget surplus funds yet to be appropriated, along with whatever Massachusetts will receive from the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill.Please, if you can attend the Zoom meeting do so. If not please send an email to Dylan and ask that $85 million be allocated to DCR to get to the full $100 million that Gov. Baker proposed.Here is the announcement. Good afternoon,I'm reaching out about an exciting upcoming event that will delve into the billions of federal aid dollars flowing into Massachusetts as the state looks to recover from the COVID pandemic and faces a future augmented by the virus.Some of the $4 billion of the federal funds allocated to Massachusetts from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have been spoken for. But the discussion between Gov. Charlie Baker and the Legislature over how to spend the remaining $2.3 billion in ARPA funds is very much alive. How are key lawmakers making spending decisions as a recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill directs even more federal aid to Massachusetts?It’s a once-in-a-generation position to use billions in federal dollars for projects and initiatives all across the state. The choices legislators and administration officials make in the next few months will impact generations to come.Join MASSterList and the State House News Service for a comprehensive discussion with key players and analysts on priorities and key considerations for federal aid spending in the commonwealth.VIRTUAL EVENTTuesday, Jan. 25 | 9 a.m.Sign up for FREE This is the link: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9016409168102/WN_XmRTiNK7T7KO2s412O30-QWe are also pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities to help support this important dialogue. For more information on how to get your organization involved, email Dylan.Rossiter@StateHouseNews.com. I look forward to seeing you later this month. ... See MoreSee Less

You are invited to join a webinar: The Federal Money Spending Challenge: What's Next for Massachusetts?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

us06web.zoom.us

Some of the $4 billion of the federal funds allocated to Massachusetts from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have been spoken for. But the discussion between Gov. Charlie Baker and the Legislature ...

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Bay State Trail Riders Association

6 days ago

You have to love you non-horsey in-laws that send you things about horses.If anyone is interested in checking out the exhibit.Griffin Museum of Photography 67 Shore Road, Winchester MAE. caballus: The Domesticated HorseJanuary 6 – February 27, 2022The overarching idea of E. caballus is simply the domesticated horse. All included solo exhibitions are threaded together by photographs and narratives related to these large single-toed, beautiful animals of today. The seven photographers included in E. caballus are: Mary Aiu, Chris Aluka Berry, Anne M. Connor, Susan Irene Correia, Landry Major, Ivan McClellan and Keron Psillas Oliveira.Link to the page: griffinmuseum.org/show/e-caballus-the-domesticated-horse/ ... See MoreSee Less

E. caballus: The Domesticated Horse - Griffin Museum of Photography

griffinmuseum.org

E. caballus: The Domesticated Horse by Mary Aiu, Chris Aluka Berry, Anne M. Connor, Susan Irene Correia, Landry Major, Ivan B. McClellan and Keron Psillas Oliveira. in the Griffin Museum of Photograph...

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