Forest Climate Resilience Incentive
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.
The project partners will be hosting an informational webinar webinar about this opportunity on Wednesday, September 9th from 12-1pm. To pre-register for this information session, please fill out the interest form by clicking this link. Attendee details will be sent to you at the email address you provide.
More information about this incentive program is also available on the Forest Center of Northwest Massachusetts website.