Forestry in Massachusetts

Healthy forests in America are critical to public health and well-being and are part of our natural and national infrastructure.

"Although Massachusetts is the third most densely populated state in the country, over 63% of the state is forestland. These 3.2 million acres of forest collectively provide cascading benefits including clean air and water, recreation, wildlife habitat, climate resiliency, and forest products. However, our state has not always looked this way, human use and widespread clearing during the 1800s drastically reduced forest cover and shaped the relatively young forests we have today."¹

The Massachusetts Forest Action Plan is designed to be a comprehensive resource on the condition, trends, and threats to the forests and trees of Massachusetts.

Foresters design timber harvests that will regenerate about 1% of the managed forest every year so that gradually, over time, the managed forest will include a much broader range of age classes than is currently present. Simultaneously, large unmanaged stands of trees are left to grow to biological maturities ranging from 100 to 400 or more years of age.

¹Massachusetts - National Association of State Foresters

Forestry in Massachusetts | Mass.gov

Haverhill Trails Stewards

Do you love spending time in Haverhill’s parks and open spaces?

Give back to the trails you hike, bike, birdwatch, or ski by becoming a Haverhill Trails Steward! Stewards work on their own time by reporting issues, picking up litter, clearing small debris, and performing light trail maintenance and also join group workdays to tackle larger projects as a team.

Learn more about the program

Fall Trout Stocking at Plug Pond: Coming Soon!

The Mass Wildlife will soon be restocking Plug Pond for the fall! Check this map to see nearby stocked locations and if Plug's has been stocked.

Trout stocking report | Mass.gov

Let's Hike Haverhill! Registration opens October 24th

Viburnum Woods: November 16^th, 10AM-Noon

Formerly known as Parsonage Hill and McPherson Woodlot, the newly created trails now connect these two areas. The site is named Viburnum Woods for the abundance of this native shrub throughout the landscape. Our guide for the hike is Rachel Horgan, Greenbelt’s Director of Development and Community Engagement.

Whittier's Birthplace: December 6^th, Noon-2:30PM

One of the city’s “cultural treasures,” this property preserves the landscape, house, and buildings much as they were during poet John Greenleaf Whittier’s time living here from 1807 to 1836. This 69-acre site features the Freeman Memorial Trail, which honors Whittier’s work. Our knowledgeable guides are Tom Phaneuf, a Whittier Birthplace Trustee, and Rob Moore, from Haverhill Conservation.

Register on 10/24 - Let’s Hike Haverhill - Greenbelt