Massachusetts Town Forests Conference

Saturday, September 14, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Address

2 Sanger Street, Sherborn, MA 01770

Contact   for Massachusetts Town Forests Conference

Forest Stewardship Program

Address

DCR Bureau of Forestry Private Lands / Service Forestry Program
355 West Boylston Street, Route 110, Clinton , MA 01510

Online

Michael Downey, DCR Forest Stewardship email Email Forest Stewardship Program at Michael.Downey@Mass.gov
Emily Boss, MA Woodlands Institute email Email Forest Stewardship Program at emily@masswoodlands.org

Overview   of Massachusetts Town Forests Conference

  • Fees: Free of charge. Families and Children Welcomed!
  • Capacity: Space is limited.

Join Us in Sherborn

  • Bird of Prey Presentation by Wingmasters
  • Guided Hikes
  • Learn about Wildlife Habitat & Forest Management

Co-hosted by the Town of Sherborn, Barber Reservation,  Mass Woodlands Institute, MA DCR Service Forestry Program, and USDA Forest Service.

What is the Mass. Town Forest Conference?

In 1928, the first conference of town forest committees is organized by the Massachusetts Forestry Association and convenes in Boston. Albert Cline, Assistant Director of Harvard Forest, stressed that weeding and releasing were the most important silvicultural treatments for improving the quality of timber stands, and Claude Tillotson, a forest inspector for the U.S. Forest Service stationed in Amherst, Massachusetts, placed special emphasis on the ability of town forest committees to demonstrate the practical value of forestry management. The state’s town forest committees convened annually between 1928 and 1961.

In 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, and the Bay State Forestry Service celebrate the centennial of the state’s town forest enabling law (Town Forest Act of 1913) . With financial support from the Massachusetts Forest Stewardship Program and the USDA Forest Service, the conference convened in Fitchburg, where participants toured the first town forest established under the 1913 law.

“Re-establishing” the town forest conference has been a great way to connect communities to the importance of open space and active management (stewardship).

The concept for “re-establishing” the town forest conference came from this Harvard Forest publication.  Check out page 14.

Each Town Forest Conference since 2013 is unique to that community.  At its core—the event highlights accomplishments and provides an opportunity for the community (and others) to network and connect about importance of community forests and forestry.

Thanks for your support.  See you in Sherborn.

Additional Resources   for Massachusetts Town Forests Conference

Contact   for Massachusetts Town Forests Conference

Address

DCR Bureau of Forestry Private Lands / Service Forestry Program
355 West Boylston Street, Route 110, Clinton , MA 01510

Online

Michael Downey, DCR Forest Stewardship email Email Forest Stewardship Program at Michael.Downey@Mass.gov
Emily Boss, MA Woodlands Institute email Email Forest Stewardship Program at emily@masswoodlands.org

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