Program Overview
The Massachusetts Woodlands Institute (MWI) and The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are working in partnership to offer professional expertise and financial assistance to help you manage your woods through DCR’s Forest Stewardship Program. Part of ForestsWork (formerly the Working Forests Initiative), the Forest Stewardship Program supports private landowners to manage woodlands for timber, soil and water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, climate change resilience and recreation.
Licensed consulting foresters will work with you to develop a 10-year Forest Stewardship Plan based on your stewardship goals. Consulting foresters will recommend actions to protect or increase the environmental values of the land while yielding desired social or economic benefits.
Please note that cost share rates and programs have been updated for the fiscal year 2026.
Stewardship Program Application FY26
Stewardship Program Renewal FY26
Climate Forestry Technical Assistance (Landowner Information)
Climate Stewardship Incentive Program (C-SIP)
Climate Stewardship Incentive Program (C-SIP) - Five Practices
The Massachusetts Woodlands Institute (MWI) partners with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation's Service Forestry Program to process cost share payments to landowners and support outreach efforts.
MWI is a subsidiary organization to Franklin Land Trust (FLT). MWI receives approved cost share forms from DCR on a rolling basis with a typical two-to-three-week processing time for payments. Processing time is longer (typically 4-8 weeks) at the end of the fiscal year (June 30 annually).
You can contact Emily Boss (MWI) at emily@masswoodlands.org or Michael Downey (DCR) at michael.downey@mass.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your taking part in the Stewardship Program.
Eligibility
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Forest Stewardship Program currently has funds available for preparing new Forest Stewardship Management Plans through a cost share program.
This statewide cost share program is available to:
- Massachusetts landowners that own woodlands of 10 or more acres, and who do not have an existing Stewardship Plan.
- Landowners currently enrolled in Chapter 61A or 61B who do not have an existing Forest Management Plan.
- Municipally-owned forest land parcels of 25 acres or more.
- Owners who are NOT involved in the primary processing of raw wood products.
Are you a municipality or private landholder who owns less than 10 acres, but still interested in Forest Stewardship?
Please contact Michael Downey, Program Coordinator, DCR at 413-212-3039
Cost Share Information
Forest Stewardship Cost-Share Reimbursement is only available for new Forest Stewardship Plans. The exception to this rule is the case of a new landowner who inherits a plan from the previous owner.
Acreage Cost share Reimbursement for NEW Stewardship Plans
UPDATED FY2024
- 10 to 36 acres $1,140
- 37 to 499 acres $1,140 + $16.00 per acre over 36
- Over 500 acres Based on a written estimate by MA Licensed Forester & approved by DCR
- $14,622 maximum reimbursement for applicants over 500 acres
- 500 to 999 acres = $1,140 + $14.00/acre over 36 acres ($14,622.00 maximum reimbursement)
- $19,622 maximum reimbursement for applicants over 1,000 acres
- 1,000+ acres = $1,140 + $12.00/acre over 36 acres ($19,622.00 maximum reimbursement)
- $14,622 maximum reimbursement for applicants over 500 acres
| Acreage | Acreage Cost share Reimbursement for NEW Stewardship Plans | ||
| 10 to 20 acres | $1,140 | ||
| 21 to 50 acres | $1,140 + $16 per every acre over 36 acres, | ||
| Greater than 51 acres | $ | ||
| Acres Owned | Foresters for the Birds | ||
| New FSP | Existing FSP | Existing CH 61/61A/61B | |
| 10 to 20 acres | $500 | $800 | $1,100 |
| 21 to 50 acres | $600 | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| Greater than 51 acres | $700 | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Acres Owned | Climate Forestry Program | ||
| New FSP | Existing FSP | Existing CH 61/61A/61B | |
| 10 to 20 acres | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| 21 to 50 acres | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Greater than 51 acres | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 |
| Acres Owned | Climate + Bird Programs | ||
| New FSP | Existing FSP | Existing CH 61/61A/61B | |
| 10 to 20 acres | $1,500 | $2,300 | $3,100 |
| 21 to 50 acres | $2,600 | $3,500 | $4,300 |
| Greater than 51 acres | $3,700 | $4,700 | $5,500 |
When applicable—cost-share reimbursement rates for Foresters for the Birds or Climate Forestry
or combining Climate Forestry and Foresters for the Birds are “in addition to” Cost-Share Reimbursement rates for NEW Stewardship Plans.
For example, a landowner with a 100-acre property not currently enrolled in Forest Stewardship or Chapter 61, 61A, or 61B programs, seeking a NEW plan encompassing both Climate and Birds. In this scenario, they would be eligible to receive:
Example - $1,140 + $16/acre over 36 acres, totaling $2,164, plus $3,700 (Climate & Birds) for a total of $5,864.
|
Technical Assistance Cost-Share for Climate Forestry Program |
||
|
Cost-Share Rate |
Assistance Category |
Hours |
|
Up to $120/hour |
Consulting Forester technical assistance prior to your plan being written. |
Up to 4 |
|
Up to $120/hour |
Completed Climate Plan Review by your Consulting Forester (prior to plan submission to DCR). |
Up to 2 |
|
Up to $120/hour |
Includes technical assistance from your Consulting Forester prior to your plan being written as well as plan review (prior to plan submission to DCR). |
Up to 6 |
How to Enroll
- Complete the Forest Stewardship Plan Application (PDF) and IRS W-9 Form.
- Mail the completed application and W-9 to:
Massachusetts Forest Stewardship Program
355 West Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01519- Or email application to michael.downey@mass.gov
- DCR will review your application and notify you once you have been approved.
- Once your application is approved, your Consulting Forester to develop a Forest Stewardship Management Plan for your woods. List of Massachusetts Consulting Foresters.
- Your Consulting Forester will submit the completed Forest Stewardship Plan to DCR for approval.
- Once DCR approves the Forest Stewardship Plan, you will receive reimbursement from the Mass Woodlands Institute based on your cost share reimbursement rate.
- Landowners have 10 years to implement recommendations outlined in the Forest Stewardship Plan. DCR approval of plans must be in place before recommendations are implemented.
More Information
To learn more about the MA DCR Working Forest Initiative and Forest Stewardship Program click the links below:
MassWoods.net: Find a Local Professional
For more information contact Michael Downey, Forest Stewardship Service Forester
michael.downey@mass.gov (978) 368-0126 ext. 129
Caring For Your Woods
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute and Northern Woodlands Magazine recently published the "Caring For Your Woods" series. These free booklets offer tools, resources and information for forest landowners interested in caring for their woods.
To request hard copies contact Michael Downey, MA DCR Forest Stewardship Program Service Forester.
michael.downey@mass.gov
(978) 368 0126 ext 129