Massachusetts: managing a watershed protection forest

Abstract

The Quabbin forest of central Massachusetts is the first barrier to contamination at the source of Boston's water supply. An interdisciplinary team is implementing an uneven-aged management strategy to create a watershed protection forest that both ensures water quality and enhances site productivity, biological diversity, and cultural resources. Adapting to changing conditions and learning from experience define this approach to interdisciplinary forestry. Recent green certification by SmartWood provided external review of the public forest's sustainability. Quabbin managers hope to lead local private landowners by their example.