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Foresters for the Birds: Assessing Your Woods for Bird Habitat

The DCR Bird Habitat Assessment Program, in partnership with MassAudubon, provides funding assistance to landowners to work with a consulting forester or other qualified professional to evaluate existing and potential habitat for a selection of birds.

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Foresters for the Birds Overview

Massachusetts is an especially important New England state to breeding birds because it is a part of both the Northern Forest Region the Eastern Deciduous Forest Region.  For some of these species, as much as 90% of their population is breeding here.  Many of these birds are showing a decline in their populations.  For those birds that depend on forest habitat knowing how to modify forest structure to meet habitat needs is critical for species in decline.

MA Foresters for the Birds Ecoregions
MA Foresters for the Birds Ecoregions

Click on the picture to see Foresters for the Birds in action!

Forestry for the Birds Story Map

Key Actions   for Foresters for the Birds Overview

Visit some Foresters for the Birds Properties 

Additional Resources   for Foresters for the Birds Overview

Open file,  Forest Birds at Mass Audubon
Open file,  See other programs for Private Land Owners
Open file,  Forest Stewardship Program
Open PDF file, 1.35 MB,  Forester for the Birds Overview (English, PDF 1.35 MB)
Open PDF file, 2.36 MB,  Focal Bird Fact Sheet (English, PDF 2.36 MB)
Open PDF file, 46.52 KB,  Eastern Forest Priority Birds (English, PDF 46.52 KB)

Certify your Property

Private foresters are certified to conduct Bird Habitat assessments by demonstrating a base knowledge of bird habitat requirements, the methods and procedures for doing a habitat assessment and demonstrating the appropriate level of detail in a written habitat assessment.

Key Actions   for Certify your Property

Find a Bird Certified Forester  Forms and Instructions for the Foresters for the Birds Program 

Additional Resources   for Certify your Property

Open PDF file, 142.55 KB,  MA Private Licensed Foresters (English, PDF 142.55 KB)

Other Requirements and Toolkit

The Bird Habitat Assessment must be conducted in concert with a Forest Stewardship Plan, or update an existing forest management plan such as a current use plan. such as Chapter 61 Management Plan.

Download the Forester for the Birds Toolkit below.

Additional Resources   for Other Requirements and Toolkit

Open PDF file, 1.24 MB,  MA Forestry Bird Guide (English, PDF 1.24 MB)
Open PDF file, 715.11 KB,  Managing Forests for Trees and Birds in MA (English, PDF 715.11 KB)
Open PDF file, 390.94 KB,  MA Forest Bird Habitat Assessment (English, PDF 390.94 KB)

Program Partners

Foresters for the Birds program is managed by Mass Woodlands Institute on behalf of DCR.

Key Actions   for Program Partners

MA Woodlands Institute 

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