The Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts is hosting two mid-winter webinars focused on stewarding our forests and the services they provide amid a changing climate.

On February 2 at noon, the Woodlands Partnership will host the webinar “Waste or Resource?: A Panel Discussion on Wood Residue.” Joining this discussion will be Ben Kargère of Williams College, who will share findings from his study on how wood residue is being handled in the Northwest Massachusetts region, Sean Mahoney of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Emily Boss of the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute, Jay Healy of Hall Tavern Farm, and Andre Strong Bear Heart Gaines, Jr., a citizen of the Nipmuc people. The discussion will focus primarily on potential uses of woody debris or residue in the region: low-value woody materials that are often a byproduct of town utility or roadway maintenance or sawmill operations that cannot or should not be left in place. These materials often have low value in the current marketplace, though there may be creative and beneficial uses for the material within the community. The public is welcome to listen to the panel and contribute to the discussion to follow.

DATE: Thursday, February 2

TIME: 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

LOCATION: Online

REGISTER HERE

The mission of the Woodlands Partnership is to “both conserve our forests and enhance our region’s rural, land-based economy across the Northern Berkshire Mountains, hill towns, and riverside villages of northwestern Massachusetts.” Both webinars will address the complex issue of how best to achieve those goals. Recordings will be available to those who register, and time will be made for Q&A.