Although Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state in the country, over 63% of the state is forestland. These 3.2 million acres of forest collectively provide cascading benefits including clean air and water, recreation, wildlife habitat, climate resiliency, and forest products. However, our state has not always looked this way, human use and widespread clearing during the 1800s drastically reduced forest cover and shaped the relatively young forests we have today.
The Massachusetts Forest Action Plan is designed to be a comprehensive resource on the condition, trends, and threats to the forests and trees of Massachusetts across rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. We hope this plan will provide a framework for creating and strengthening partnerships to work toward achieving healthy and resilience forest resources in Massachusetts.
Promoting sustainable forest management and long-term planning
Forest protection and sustainable management are major priorities of DCR. While development has decreased in the last 10 years, 13.5 acres of forest are still cleared each day for development. State and federal grants, municipal programs like the Community Preservation Act, and initiatives from non-profit land conservation organizations help landowners conserve their forestland. DCR’s Working Forest Initiative is engaging with family forest landowners, promoting sustainable forestry, and forging key partnerships to create critical wildlife habitat on private and municipal lands. Through a diverse range of outreach programming, innovative cost-sharing opportunities, and invaluable one-on-one technical assistance, Service Foresters provide the multitude of private landowners in Massachusetts with expert advice and guidance to help them make informed and ecologically sound decisions pertaining to their forestland.
Managing invasive pests to reduce threats to forest health
The spread of invasive pests is a great threat to Massachusetts forests. Their effects can alter species composition, reduce growth rates, disrupt forest management, and cause extensive tree mortality. Massachusetts has already experienced extensive damage from insects like the gypsy moth and Asian long-horned beetle. The DCR Forest Health Program has been working for over 10 years to eradicate the Asian long-horned beetle. This invasive pest was discovered in Massachusetts in 2008 leading to over 110 square miles of regulated area and the removal of more than 24,000 infested trees. Survey crews continue to inspect trees in the regulated area for signs of the pest. Through a grant with the U.S. Forest Service, the Forest Health Program has also been able to host workshops to train individuals across the state in how to monitor and prepare for emerald ash borer and create a network of “First Detectors.”
Increasing urban tree canopy and affordable home heating
The Greening the Gateway Cities Program is reducing household heating and cooling energy use in the state’s vulnerable cities through targeted tree planting. Residents are able to request trees for their property which are then planted by DCR Urban and Community Program staff free of charge. In less than five years, more than 27,000 trees were planted in 14 cities and the program continues to expand into more of the 26 Gateway Cities. Federal funds have also allowed Massachusetts to develop Community Wood Banks which provide wood for home heating to families in need and, in the process, improve the utilization of surplus trees in municipality management practices.
Best Management Practices
Massachusetts’ best management practices (BMPs) program is quasi-regulatory. The state department responsible for BMPs policy development is the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Click here to view the most recent BMPs recommendations on the state forestry agency website.
