These publications are representative of New England Forestry Foundation’s (NEFF) commitment to deliver actionable ideas and information to our diverse constituents, and to further scientific exploration of the contributions sustainable forestry and forest conservation can make to New England’s future. Our publications library provides access to:
Exemplary Forestry Guides
Get in-depth looks and one-page overviews of Exemplary Forestry for the Acadian Forest and Central and Transition Hardwood Forests of New England, the NEFF-developed gold standard of sustainable forestry.
Cross-laminated Timber in New England
With support from the USDA Forest Service, NEFF recently completed an analysis of the potential for a New England cross-laminated timber (CLT) mill. The analysis looked at the suitability of New England tree species, their availability, the potential cost of New England produced CLT, and likely returns on investment from a CLT mill. Read Cross-laminated Timber in New England
Forest Carbon for Commercial Landowners Report
New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) has contributed to an effort to understand the role of forest management in increasing carbon storage in New England’s working forests as part of the Forest Carbon for Commercial Landowners (FCCL) Initiative, a broad coalition of large forest landowners, conservationists, nonprofit organizations, scientists, and economists.
The FCCL initiative came together to determine whether northern Maine’s commercial forestlands could sequester more carbon through improved forest management, and, if so, how much it might cost to incentivize landowners to implement. The initiative commissioned a report from the University of Maine and other researchers and released it in March 2023.
Mass Timber Dialogue Report
New England Forestry Foundation has participated in the Mass Timber Dialogue since it began in fall 2020; it investigates how mass timber construction, including but not limited to CLT, could be effectively increased across the New England region to help mitigate climate change. The group released a 2021 report that acknowledges full optimization of climate benefits depends on the implementation of climate-smart forestry practices like NEFF’s Exemplary Forestry standards. The report explains the benefits of mass timber, its current status, obstacles to increasing its use, and policy recommendations for actions that could be taken to increase its use. Read the Mass Timber Dialogue Report
Storing More Carbon by Improving Forest Management
“Storing More Carbon by Improving Forest Management in the Acadian Forest of New England, USA” – NEFF’s first original research paper to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The paper, published in the journal Forests, built on NEFF’s previous forest modeling and financial analysis to quantify the climate benefits of switching from conventional forest management to Exemplary Forestry.
From Engagement to Action
With support from the Overhills Foundation and numerous partners, NEFF produced a detailed report of its participation in the MassConn Woods Landowner Outreach Initiative, and in an Executive Summary, shares lessons and recommendations for scaling up investment in proactive outreach and communications to the private owners of New England’s woodlands in order to protect the future of our region’s forests. Read From Engagement to Action
Licensed Harvester Survey
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioned a survey to gain insight into the effect of weather on harvesting operations, cost, and implementation of Best Management Practices. Timber harvesters are a critical link in the supply chain that produces renewable wood products and achieves forest management goals. Given that, it is important to understand the economic, environmental, and social challenges they may be facing and consider ways state agencies and partner organizations can help ensure these businesses continue to operate sustainably—both from an environmental and economic perspective. NEFF led the design of the logger survey, with input from a number of partners, and also administered and analyzed the survey. Read the Licensed Harvester Survey
“Forests, Forestry, Cities and Mitigating Climate Change: A Systems Approach” – This September 2020 essay from NEFF Executive Director Bob Perschel explains our best path forward if we want to maximize New England forests’ ability to mitigate climate change—and lays out the systemic challenges that stand in our way.
The Path to Sustainability
New England’s forests have tremendous potential to provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to the citizens of New England. Right now, some of that potential is slipping away. This NEFF report summarizes the benefits our region’s forests could provide, starting with the premise that we keep New England Forested. Read The Path to Sustainability
Massachusetts Forest Scenarios
What will Massachusetts look like in 50 years if current trends in population, development, and economic activity continue? This NEFF report investigates four different future scenarios, and analyzes how changes to the landscape will influence the ability of our forests to provide benefits including clean air, clean water, forest products, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Read Massachusetts Forest Scenarios
The Place You Call Home
NEFF partnered with Northern Woodlands magazine to create both a Massachusetts and a Connecticut edition of this resource guide for landowners. Each guide combines practical information about conservation, logging, and tax programs with engaging articles about wildlife habitat, birds, and invasive species. Read The Place You Call Home
Into the Woods Newsletter
Articles in our quarterly print publication range from updates on NEFF programs and news and research connected to the New England woods, to stories of the people and places that inspire forest conservation throughout New England. In each publication you will find donor lists of of the organizations, foundations, and individuals that make our work possible. Read Into the Woods – Quarterly
