Wildlands and Woodlands Partnership

Working Groups' 2008 Priorities

Communication and Coordination: Facilitates W&W Partnership meetings, oversees development of updates and the W&W website, and coordinates collaboration among working groups. ( 2008 Priorities )
Woodland Councils: Fosters the development and support of current and emerging regional conservation collaborations and partnerships to serve as woodland councils. Encourages existing environmental organizations to re-invest in reaching out to private woodland owners as they are the stewards of wildlands and woodlands. Programs focus on landowner outreach and education on conservation and stewardship and on building the capacity of groups to be regional land protection project catalysts. ( 2008 Priorities )
Priority Mapping/Science: Develops internal and external mapping products for use by the Partnership members and interested stakeholders ( 2008 Priorities )
Conservation Finance/Policy: Informs members of innovative forest conservation finance and policy initiatives and on the means for effective participation. ( 2008 Priorities )

Work Plan Priorities for 2008/Achieved = Checkmark

Develop a Wildlands and Woodlands Website.
Develop the capacity to engage in on-line information sharing among W&WP .
Develop, publish, and distribute a 2008 W&W Update .
Promote the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision to other groups in Massachusetts and Connecticut that value forests including municipalities, conservation commissions, Public Water Supply Commissioners, regional planning agencies, hunters, etc. Ongoing

Create an internal table showing partners' overlaying priorities.
Create a public vision map for W&W.
Develop mapping presentations for woodland councils/regional partnerships and smaller land trusts and hold one for at least two regional partnerships that are in need of mapping support Ongoing

Facilitate a workshop for woodland council/partnership coordinators . Ongoing Joint Fundraising Effort
Identify what works and what doesn't work for each partnership and identify working models from around the country and make these available on the W&W website .

Share information and collaborate on the following financing/policy initiatives: Environmental Bond related to forestland and management; Climate change and energy legislation and policy; Special Commission on Conservation Finance; and, Donelan's Bill tax credit for management plans.

Quarterly at the Harvard Forest (see Events Calendar )