Foresters for the Birds: Assessing Your Woods for Bird Habitat
Massachusetts landowners can get funding to assess and improve forest bird habitats with professional foresters, focusing on declining bird species and forest health.
Funder: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Due Dates: Rolling (first-come, first-served until funds are exhausted)
Funding Amounts: $500–$700 additional cost-share for bird habitat assessment (based on acreage); may be combined with Forest Stewardship Plan cost-share; see below for details.
Summary: Funding for Massachusetts landowners to work with professional foresters to assess and improve forest bird habitat, with a focus on declining species.
Key Information: Minimum 10 acres required; funding is limited and awarded until fully allocated.
Description
This program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) in partnership with MassAudubon and the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute, provides financial assistance to Massachusetts landowners for on-the-ground assessments of forest bird habitat. The goal is to support landowners in working with licensed consulting foresters or other qualified professionals to evaluate and enhance habitat for declining forest-dependent bird species. The program is part of the broader Working Forest Initiative (ForestsWork), aiming to inform forest management decisions that benefit both birds and overall forest health.
