DCR Woodlands Connect: Partnering with Underserved Landowners on Sustainable Forest Practices

The Woodlands Connect: Empower & Thrive Program, launched in 2024, is a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Regenerative Design Group (RDG), and the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust (PPLT). This program aims to bridge resource gaps for underserved landowners, including beginning forest landowners, those in high-poverty areas, veterans, limited-resource producers, and federally recognized tribes. Through targeted outreach and technical assistance, Woodlands Connect empowers these landowners to improve the health, ecological value, and economic potential of their woodlands.

Initial project activities in 2024 include building a diverse Steering Committee of stakeholders and drafting a comprehensive Woodlands Connect Implementation Plan. RDG and PPLT will work closely with the Steering Committee and partners like the Massachusetts DCR Service Forestry Program, UMass Extension, and Eagle Eye Institute to address barriers to access and develop outreach strategies tailored to community needs. The implementation plan will include strategies for sustainable land management, and lay out a path for education, support, and community-building initiatives in the years to follow.

Starting in 2025, Woodlands Connect will offer workshops on sustainable forest practices, one-on-one consultations, and hands-on training sessions. Participants will have access to personalized land management plans and resource support to enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic opportunities on their lands. The program will emphasize cultural and linguistic inclusivity to ensure accessibility across diverse communities, fostering a network of forest stewards for future generations.