A Tree Farm is a woodland that is managed to grow forest products, protect important resources and wildlife habitats, while safeguarding our environment.
People worldwide have heated with wood for thousands of years. New Englanders are no exception and have long depended on native forests to provide wood for warmth. But set aside old images of the inefficient fireplace and smoking wood stove. New technology has made wood burning appliances a truly modern way to use this traditional fuel.
The Massachusetts Forest Alliance represents and advocates on behalf of forest landowners, industry professionals, businesses, and others who support a strong, sustainable forest economy in the Commonwealth. MFA works on a variety of policy initiatives, including tax programs, property zoning, modern wood heat, forest management, and many more regulations that affect our membership.
What is the greatest risk encountered by those who work in our woods in the warm weather months? Getting hit by a falling tree? Getting attacked by a bear? Getting trampled by a moose? While any of the above could be truly traumatic, such incidents are thankfully quite rare.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has been working on a Forest Carbon Study, led by researchers at Harvard Forest and UMass Amherst. This study was a continuation of the Land Sector Report that was part of the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap. That research focused only up to 2050, and forest researchers told EEA that it was necessary to examine forests for more than 25 years to develop a full understanding of forest dynamics, which happen over a long timescale. This new study runs through 2100.
The study found that as our forests age, carbon sequestration rates (the amount of carbon sequestered by forests each year) will decline significantly after 2050. Sequestration rates will drop by more than 80% compared to today’s rates by 2100, as older forests sequester less new carbon each year. The report examines policy choices and tradeoffs, which gives EEA a better picture of the effect of their decisions on forest policy.
You can download the 15-page executive summary of the report by clicking here. You can also download the full 143-page report here.
EEA will present the report through a webinar on Monday, March 24th at 3 pm[gc1] . To take part in the webinar, register by clicking here.
Tax valuations for woodlands enrolled in Chapter 61 or 61A in Massachusetts will rise slightly for the tax year that begins on July 1st.
The Massachusetts Forest Alliance is the leading organization representing forest landowners and industry professionals in Massachusetts. MFA works tirelessly on your behalf to advocate for a strong, sustainable forest economy.
In addition to representing the forest community at the state and local levels, MFA offers educational seminars and continuing education workshops for landowners and industry professionals. Topics often center around forestry practices, regulation, and policy.
Each level of membership receives the following benefits:
Individual/Family/Professional Membership Application
Thank you for your generosity.
Stay tuned for information about our 2018-2019 Annual Fund Campaign!
Please note: The Massachusetts Forest Alliance is a recognized 501(c) (6) not-for-profit advocacy organization. Contributions to the Massachusetts Forest Alliance are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. For information on how to make a tax-deductible gift, please contact our office.
