Massachusetts family forests. Birth of a landowners cooperative

Abstract

The story is as old as our profession: private lands, low-value species, a stagnant rural economy, development pressure, and loss of forests. A group of foresters and landowners is trying to reverse this cycle by forming a cooperative enterprise. This article summarizes our approach and experiences during the start-up phase. The overarching objective of Massachusetts Family Forests is to sustain or enhance the forest resources, rural character, and economy of our region.