Woodlands Partnership Members Receive State Grants
BOSTON, Mass. — The Baker-Polito Administration has announced the awarding of $253,200 for ten grants to seven communities and two organizations within the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP).
Communities receiving Fiscal Year 2022 MTWP grants include the Towns of Adams, Clarksburg, Heath, New Ashford, Peru, Rowe, and Shelburne. Additionally, Lever, Inc. and the Massachusetts Forest Trust are also receiving grants this round. The grants are administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and are for projects that support the goals of the partnership, such as improving access to outdoor recreation in town and state forests, improving the safety of outdoor recreation, and implementing climate-smart forestry practices.
"The Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership grants serve as a great example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s proactive approach to protecting the Commonwealth’s natural resources by working with local communities and organizations in an effort to continue to improve these outdoor spaces for the public to enjoy," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. "With the state still recovering from the COVID-19 public health emergency, it is even more important to support local initiatives, such as the conservation and effective management of forest areas for natural resource-based economic development, which achieves climate goals, supports job creation, and grows local economies."
The Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership is a grassroots-led effort that was developed after dozens of local meetings to shape a program based on conserving forests and supporting their sustainable management in a way to improve the economy of small communities along the Vermont and New York state borders.
Following the passage of "An Act Supporting the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership" in 2018, the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership was created to improve rural economic development based on sustainable forest conservation and tourism, and support the fiscal stability of the communities within the region. These communities are some of the most rural and forested areas in the Commonwealth.
For more information regarding the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership, the participating municipalities, and the program’s objectives, please visit the MTWP’s webpage.
Projects receiving MTWP Grants are:
|
Municipality |
Project Name |
Project Description |
Total Grant Request |
|
Adams |
Forest Center Exhibits |
This project will design and complete exhibits within the new Greylock Glen Outdoor Center focusing on the many benefits of the region’s forest and the benefits of wood buildings. |
$20,000 |
|
Clarksburg |
Land Survey and Forest Plan for Town Forest Property |
This project will complete a boundary survey for the 80-acre town property and complete a forest stewardship plan to guide sustainable forestry. |
$20,000 |
|
Heath |
Winter Sports Grooming Equipment |
This project will purchase a groomer for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire winter biking for the new trail system developed via past grants. |
$15,000 |
|
Lever, Inc. |
Creation of a Wood Processing Center in Charlemont |
This project will expand the wood processing at Hall Tavern Farm by creating a business and marketing plan and web site, launching two new businesses, and creating a long-term management organization. |
$60,000 |
|
Massachusetts Forest Trust |
Chain saw safety training and tours of demonstration forestry projects. |
The MA Forest Trust will be providing chain saw and harvesting safety training to first responders and woodland owners and provide monthly tours of demonstration forestry projects. |
$18,200 |
|
New Ashford |
Expansion of hiking trail and access to Mt. Greylock from the Town. |
New Ashford will continue to work with DCR to expand hiking access from the Town to the State Reservation, which has had very limited access. |
$20,000 |
|
Peru |
Pierce Scenic Way Restoration |
Peru will rehabilitate all the drainage along this seasonal road to reduce erosion and allow access for hunting and fishing to a Wildlife Management Area. The grant pays for gravel and town match does the rest. |
$20,000 |
|
Rowe |
Town Forest Trail Restoration and Education |
Rowe will mark the many miles of trails and add maps and educational exhibits in the 5 kiosks recently installed as well as build a boardwalk in a 300-foot section to improve access for resident and tourist. |
$20,000 |
|
Rowe and Heath |
Regional Trail Design and Location |
Rowe and Heath have envisioned a new regional trail from downtown Shelburne Falls across a mountainous region north of Route 2 over many miles to Mohawk State Forest. The project would document land ownership and the most scenic layout. |
$40,000 |
|
Shelburne |
Climate-oriented Open Space Plan and Baseball Field Renovations |
The Town will prepare and open space and recreation plan with a focus on climate resilience and renovate the town ballfield for safe use and to also be used as a winter skating rink. |
$20,000 |
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