Description
A team of conservation organizations working to support climate-smart forestry in Massachusetts is offering an incentive opportunity for landowners who have received a Forest Stewardship Plan in the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts region. The Forest Climate Resilience Incentive (FCRI) is a limited-time pilot program that helps to support landowners by providing cost-share for forest management practices; funding for forester planning time; and technical assistance from Mass Audubon. Privately owned or town-owned land must be at least 10 acres of woodland and be located within the Woodlands Partnership Region to qualify.
This pilot incentive program, administered by Mass Audubon through the Forest Climate Resilience Program (FCRP), is funded by a U.S. Forest Service grant to New England Forestry Foundation serving as Agent for the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts. The pilot aims to help landowners with Forest Stewardship Plans to implement their management recommendations while also offering opportunities to provide feedback on their experience. Landowners may also elect to participate in the optional forest health monitoring program administered by Mass Audubon, which collects and analyzes long-term forest health data.
The FCRI funds practices on a per-acre basis. Funded practices include:
- Forest thinning to promote regeneration
- Invasive species removal
- Enrichment planting
- Patch cuts to promote resilience and forest health
- Timber stand improvement
Payments are issued directly to the landowner or foresters/contractors.
How It Works
After submitting an initial interest form, incentive program staff and your Forester will support you through each step of the process. The flow chart below outlines what to expect from your participation in this program.
The practices will need to be completed before June 30th, 2028. It is important to work with forestry and other operational partners to ensure their availability to support this work.
More Information
Please download the program fact sheet for additional program information.
For questions about the Forest Climate Resilience Incentive program, please contact:
Rick Whitney
Program Coordinator
413.529.4095