Private lands play a key role in sustaining clean water, protecting our soil, providing wildlife habitat and producing quality timber resources.
The Service Forestry, also referred to as the Private Lands 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.
Service Forestry meets the needs of landowners and municipalities by providing technical expertise, services and programs that allow you to get the most of your forested properties.
- Working Forest Initiative - providing services such as free woodland evaluations
- Forest Cutting Practices Act - administration and enforcement of MGL Chapter 132, the regulation of commercial timber harvesting
- Forest Tax Law Program - assistance with the favorable tax treatment to forest landowners through MGL Chapter 61
- Forest Stewardship Program - helping landowners achieve their goals for wildlife, aesthetics, wood products, and recreation through forest management planning and support
Your Service Forester
For more information contact one of our regional administrative offices or contact the service forester working in your town.
Additional Resources for Your Service Forester
Notices and Events
Massachusetts Town Forest Conference
SAVE THE DATE
September 9, 2018 • Tattersall Farm, Haverhill, MA
Celebrating over 100 Years of Town Forests
A Gathering of Community Members, Foresters, Land Trusts,
Municipal Officials, Civic Groups, & Natural Resource Professionals
See flyer below for more information.
Forest Cutting Plans and Timber Harvesting 101 for
Conservation Commissioners and other Municipal Departments
A free Workshop provided by the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC).
To register for this free workshop please contact Michèle Girard at MACC at michele.girard@maccweb.org or by calling 617-489-3930. See flyer (below) for additional information.
Saturday, June 30th
9:00 am to noon
Southbridge, MA
To be held on a recent forestry project site - Directions to the property will be provided to registrants.
Grant Opportunity
DCR is seeking Municipalities who have a Forest Stewardship Plan and wish to take steps to implement their plan and involve their community.
Community Forest Stewardship Implementation Grants.
These 72-25 matching reimbursement grants aid communities in putting their forest stewardship into practice and connect the local citizens to all the benefits forests provide including a local source of wood products, clean water, biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Have Questions?
Contact Michael Downey, Forest Stewardship Program Service Forester
978.368.0126 x129
michael.downey@state.ma.us