Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey today announced new steps to ensure Massachusetts’ forests are managed to optimize carbon sequestration and mitigate climate harms as part of meeting the state’s climate targets.
NEFF’s Groton Place forest in Groton, Massachusetts, is managed with Exemplary Forestry, NEFF’s climate-smart, sustainable forestry standards. Photo by Kari Post.
Lisa Hayden, the New England Forestry Foundation’s Director of Outreach & Engagement, said today:
“Gov. Maura Healey recognizes our forests as a huge untapped resource in the fight against climate change. Climate-smart forestry can provide 30 percent of the carbon emissions reductions New England needs in the next 30 years, while improving wildlife habitat, protecting air and water quality, and supporting forest recreation. We applaud the comprehensive approach in this initiative that includes focus on accelerating conservation to avoid loss of forests to development, outreach to private woodland owners to adopt climate-smart practices to foster forest resilience, and support for forestry businesses to adopt best practices and maintain a supply of locally and sustainably produced wood products. We look forward to continuing to work with the Healey administration on implementing science-based forest management solutions.”