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The Service Forestry Program

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Service Forestry Program provides technical assistance to private landowners and municipalities in forest resource planning, forest management, and forest protection within 14 districts across the state.

With 235,000 non-industrial private landowners in Massachusetts and approximately 78% of the Commonwealth's forest land in private ownership, private lands play a key role in sustaining clean water, protecting our soil, providing wildlife habitat and producing quality timber resources.

The Service Forestry Program meets the needs of these landowners through Landowner Outreach and Education [such as free woodland evaluations and information], administration of the Forest Cutting Practices Act [regulation of commercial timber harvesting], the Forest Tax Law Program [favorable tax treatment to forest landowners], and the Forest Stewardship Program [helps landowners achieve their goals for wildlife, aesthetics, wood products, and recreation through forest management planning and support].

The Service Forestry Program is based on the belief that we can best serve the citizens of the commonwealth by helping landowners make educated decisions about their woodlots, and protecting our valuable forest resources through fair and consistent application of environmental regulations.

Please explore the links on this page for detailed information on how the Service Forestry Program can serve you, and contact us at (800) 783-2311 for more information or schedule an appointment with Your Service Forester.