Woodlands Partnership Exec. Committee

Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm
On-line- Zoom
A meeting of the Woodlands Partnership

WOODLANDS PARTNERSHIP of NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS

A Mission of Natural Resource-Based Economic Development, Forest Conservation, & Municipal Financial Sustainability

MEETING NOTICE

The Executive Committee

of the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts

will meet on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

This is a virtual meeting via Zoom. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Please email Agent Lisa Hayden to request a Zoom link at any time: lhayden@newenglandforestry.org

Agenda

1. Call to order and welcome

2. Approval of July 30, 2025 minutes

3. Focus on Heritage Area Feasibility Study:

• • Introduce consultant Jessica Dolan, PhD: Update on launch of Indigenous-focused Inventory
  • Chairman’s report: recent Indigenous community meetings; discussions re: transparency & potential Heritage Area funding
  • Discuss questions from Regional Planning Agencies on their portion of NHA feasibility study

4. Agent’s report:
   • Board insurance renewal quotes
   • $75,000 EOEEA WP grant Voices for Forest awarded – video story telling & schools outreach
   • USFS modification & extension approved – completion of Forest-Centered Stewardship grant
   • USFS tree-planting grant – 2 more planting sites for fall & spring
   • Plan for Oct. Ex. Com. meeting: Revisit consultant’s 3-year Fundraising plan: key recommendations & next steps on fiscal sponsor and financial structure questions
   • Slow Wood book reading event held at Williams College

5. Scheduling Oct. Committee meeting & Fall Board meeting – likely Heritage Area focus

6. Any item(s) not anticipated within 48 hours

7. Public comment

8. Adjourn

Executive Committee members: Dicken Crane – Windsor (Board Chair); Art Schwenger – Heath (Board Vice Chair); Alain Peteroy – Franklin Land Trust (Clerk); Chris Cozzaglio – Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (Treasurer); Rhonda Anderson – Ohketeau Cultural Center; Russ Richardson – Massachusetts Forest Alliance; Robert O’Connor – MA EOEEA

Posted- Donna Butzke-9/18/2025-10am Filed- Town Clerk-9/18/2025