MEETING NOTICE

The Executive Committee

of the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts

will meet on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

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

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

Agenda

Call to order – Board Chair Dicken Crane

2. Brief Agent update on consultants’ progress, report drafting & emerging themes to be outlined in state-funded National Heritage Area feasibility study:
   • DRAFT: Story of the varied upland forests & watersheds of NW MA and the movement of people and goods through this rugged landscape past, present & future; a more complete picture of the pivotal role of this place and its diverse Indigenous Peoples and immigrants in the shared history of colonization and birth of the American nation; shaping a resilient future for all who care for and depend on these forests and rivers and the ecological benefits they provide, through stewardship, education and sustainable rural community development.
   • Key findings from consultants’ research

3. Committee discussion of Heritage Area theme & inter-related governance questions: consider voting on recommendations to Board:

1. Identify Local Coordinating Entity (LCE):
   1. Should the WP Board, or an affiliated non-profit arm of WP to be created, be the LCE?
   2. Should a new entity, potentially with expanded Indigenous membership, and/or potential to add new towns or other partners, become the LCE of an NHA?

2. Consider Board governance and potential participation of sovereign Indigenous communities who may be interested – Potential options:
   1. Recommend adding a WP Board seat for Western Massachusetts Commissioner on Indian Affairs (voting or liaison, TBD)
   2. Expand WP Board membership to tribal/Indigenous communities with ancestral homelands in NW MA (Ohketeau Cultural Center, Ashfield-based, Nipmuc/k-centered non-profit has board seat); other communities include federally recognized Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans, state-recognized Nipmuc/k, & Odanak, now based in Canada (Abenaki)
   3. WP working group and Agent invite Indigenous communities to meet to explore how NHA could be structured, simultaneously with the public feedback process of reviewing the draft feasibility report in 2026.