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Deval L. Patrick
 * Lt. Governor
Timothy P. Murray
 * EOEA Secretary
Ian A. Bowles

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Forestry
There are 3.2 million acres of privately owned forest land in Massachusetts and 285,000 acres of State Forests and Parks. Municipal watershed lands cover 245,000 acres and there are 351 municipalities with associated urban trees and forests. The Bureau serves all of these owners and the forest they care for through the programs listed below. If you have questions or simply care about the forests of Massachusetts this is a good place to start.

 

Public Notices

 

Robinson SP: Survey for Rare and Protected Species and Uncommon and Priority Natural Communities, April 15, 2008

Understanding Forest Land Valuation for CH 61/61A

New Public Notification Summary

Draft Massachusetts Emergency Response Plan for Highly Destructive Invasive Species


Final Proposed Forest Cutting Practices Act Regulations Deliberations

NEW Forester Licensing Regulations & Policies effective April 20, 2007

Newsletter: Spring 2007 Issue - DCR Bureau of Forestry "Current Use Updates"

Amendments to Chapter 61 / 61A / 61B will go into effect March 22, 2007


Service Forestry - The Service Forestry Program promotes long-term forest management and resource protection on private lands through a combination of statutory mandates, tax relief, and outreach and education programs. This would be a good place to start if you are interested in forestry on your own lands or having a forester visit your town or property.


Urban and Community Forestry - The Urban and Community Forestry Program offers technical assistance and grants to communities to build long-term support for the protection and management of public trees and forests. This would be a good place to start to learn about trees in towns and cities, their, care, and how you can help.


Management Forestry - The Management Forestry Program is responsible for the planning and implementation of all natural resource management activities on the State's 285,000 acre forest and parks system. This would be a good place to start if you are interested in learning more about the management of these lands for both forest products and the public's enjoyment.




Forest Health - The Forest Health Program monitors and assesses factors that influence the health of Massachusetts's forests. This would be a good place to start if you are interested in learning about common insect and diseases that threaten trees and forests in Massachusetts.


Utilization and Marketing - The Forest Products Utilization and Marketing Program assists landowners, foresters, timber harvesters, sawmills, manufactures, and recyclers in the promotion and expansion of the forest products industry in the Commonwealth and the Northeast Region. This would be a good place to start to learn more about the wood industries and wood based initiatives.


Forest Legacy - The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between participating States and the USDA Forest Service to identify and help protect environmentally important forests from conversion to non-forest uses. The main tool used for protecting these important forests is conservation easements. The Federal government may fund up to 75% of program costs, with at least 25% coming from private, state or local sources.

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Federal (USDA) civil right non-discrimination statement

 

 

DCR Home Page | Privacy Policy | Massparks | Land and Water Stewardship

Newsletter

Spring 2007
Summer 2006

Annual Reports

2005 Annual Stakeholder Report
2004 Annual Stakeholder Report

Directories/Listings

MA Licensed Foresters
Service Foresters (listed by Town)
Private MA Licensed Foresters (listed by Town)

Laws, Regulations & Policies

Forest Cutting Practices Act
Forester Licensing Regulations
Forester Licensing Policies
Service Forestry - Slash Law
Service Forestry - Chapter 61 Law
Old Growth Policy
DOC or PDF
 
State Forest Land & Resource Management Plans
   
Massachusetts Forestry Committee
 
Forester Licensing Board
 
MassWildlife Forest Management
 
EOEEA Sustainable Forest Management