Knowing more about your land can help you enjoy it in new, different ways. Here are some helpful links to help you know more about your land and its conservation.

Vegetation

• Tree Identification - Learn how to identify trees
• Woody plants of North America - Click on "take a peek at the complete list"
• Autumn Foliage - Information on the biological changes behind seasonal foliage colors
• To learn more about the story of your forest, read a book by Tom Wessels "Reading the Forested Landscape A Natural History of New England"
• or use the following link to see New England Forests Through Time: Insights from the Harvard Forest Dioramas.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

• Keeping Track - Stewardship of wildlife habitat
• Track ID
• Animal ID
• Animal Sign
• Scat
• ID Book
• Ecological Landscaping Association
• Nasami Farm
• Vernal Pools
• ebird
• Cornell lab of ornithology: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
• Turtle Conservation Project: http://www.turtleconservationproject.org/
• Do I have an endangered species on my property? Click here to see a map.
• USGS Biodiversity Page - Definitions and links to a variety of biodiversity topics
• Manomet Maine Center For Conservation Sciences - Provides scientific information and practical tools to help manage and conserve forest biodiversity

Pests, Diseases, and Invasive Species

• Forest Pests of North America - Information, fact sheets, and publications relating to forestry, entomology, agriculture and invasive species
• Invasives & Exotics - An accessible and easily used archive of high quality images related to forest health and silviculture, with particular emphasis on educational applications
• Invasive Species - Federal and state invasive species activities and programs
• Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center. See the forest threats summary viewer, a tool that provides images, threat distribution maps, additional forestry contact information, and brief descriptions of forest threats throughout the northeast.
• Invasive species are plants that have been introduced from other countries through landscaping, wildlife plantings, or by accident. They can be a threat to native vegetation and habitat. Learn more.

Water

• Identify streams or other water bodies on or near your land: See a map to find out.
• Is there an endangered species associated with a stream or wetland?
• New England Wetland Plants
• Deerfield River Watershed Association
• Westfield River Watershed Association
• Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions - learn about the role of conservation commissions
• Contact Information for your Town

General

• The Illusion of Preservation - PDF article that makes the case for a reduction in imported wood use and a judicious and sustainable increase in locally produced wood
• Forest Landowners Guide - Guide to internet resources for forestland owners
• ForestConnect online woodland owner seminars. View past seminars and sign up for future ones!

Management Planning

• National Learning Center for Private Forest & Range Landowners - Register and click on "Learning Options" and chose the " Northeast Planning Module"
• Chapter 61/Ch61A - Current Use Tax Program offered through the Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Forest Stewardship Program

Timber Harvesting & Processing

• Bucking for Grade and Profits! - Learn how one wrong cut can lose you big bucks (PDF)
• A Landowner's Guide to Selling Standing Timber - Comprehensive guide from Ontario Woodlot Association
• Call Before You Cut

Non-Timber Forest Products

• How, When and Why of Forest Farming - Online course on the ins and outs of how to farm mushrooms, berries, maple sugar and other forest products
• Non-Timber Forest Products - Database website chock full of NTFP information

Recreational Opportunities

• Working with neighbors: You may wish to work with neighbors to establish a cross boundary trail system. Advantages includes a longer, potentially more interesting trail, shared cost of construction, and help with maintenance. Exchange information with other landowners in the threaded discussion.
• Recreational Trail Design and Construction
• Trail Design

Financial Considerations

• National Timber Tax Website - Answers specific questions regarding the tax treatment of timber
• Tax Tips for Forest Landowners -Information to keep in mind when you prepare your federal tax return (PDF)
• Financial incentive programs for non-industrial private forest owners- a comprehensive national collection of all programs, available by state.

Landowner Associations

• National Woodland Owners Association - Organization for non-industrial private woodland owners
• Massachusetts Forest Landowners Association: http://www.massforests.org/
• Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative: http://www.masswoodlands.coop/index.htm

Certification Systems

• Forest Stewardship Council - Green Certified Forestry
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) - A type of certified forest management
• American Tree Farm System - Sustaining forests, watersheds and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship.

General Land Conservation

• See MassWoods for a review of land conservation options and real-life examples.
• Talk with your neighbors. Maybe some of them have thought about land protection. Conservation organizations may be much more interested in a land protection project if it involves larger blocks of land, more road frontage or longer stretches of river.
• Find a Land Trust that serves your town
• Becket Land Trust
• Franklin Land Trust
• Hilltown Land Trust
• Valley Land Fund
• Winding River Land Conservancy
• Case Studies in Conservation
• Land Conservation Options

State Conservation Organizations that provide a land trust function

• Trustees of Reservations
• Massachusetts Audubon

Regional Land Trusts/Organizations

• New England Forestry Foundation - Conserving New England's forest resources
• Northeast Wilderness Trust - Focused exclusively on restoring & protecting wilderness

National Land Trusts/Organizations

• The Nature Conservancy - Preserving the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive
• Trust for Public Land - Conserving land to create livable communities and a healthy environment
• USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program
• Land Trust Alliance - Excellent answers to some frequently asked questions

Estate Planning

• Preserving Family Lands - Purchase Stephen J. Small (recognized as one of the nation's leading authorities on private land protection options and strategies) books here