Frequently Asked Questions
What will this vision cost?
This is a broad vision, not an implementation plan. Over the long term, the cost of losing forests and the natural services they provide would be much greater than the cost of conserving forests. It would be quite difficult, if not impossible, to project what something of this scale would cost on a timeline of 50 years. The cost will ultimately depend on the methods chosen by those implementing the vision. Proactive conservation with willing landowners, supported by effective planning, will be less expensive than rushing in to conserve a critical area after it has been slated for development. We also know that achieving the vision will require roughly a doubling in the current rate of land conservation in New England.
How will the vision be achieved?
Wildlands and Woodlands seeks first to support private landowners interested in keeping their forests. The vision's ambitious goals cannot be achieved by sweeping government acquisition or regulation. Given that 80% of the forests of New England are privately owned, achieving the vision will primarily require conserving private Woodlands for multiple uses (including timber) through a combination of conservation easements by willing landowners, enhanced tax incentives and markets, and strategic conservation acquisitions by private, public, and non-profit sectors. This work must coincide with local, state, and federal efforts to reduce sprawl and plan for more compact, energy efficient, and liveable urban and suburban areas.
Why conserve 70% of New England? What is that number based on?
When we developed the report, we did not ask ourselves, what is the minimum amount of forest needed to support certain uses or values? We instead asked, what is it possible to achieve over the next half century, and how will that improve our region's outlook for the future? Conserving existing farms and waterways and allowing for twice as much development as we have today leaves the potential to retain a full 70% of the landscape in forest.
Is there room for future economic development in the region under this vision?
The vision is not anti-growth and development. Conserving 70% of the landscape in forest allows twice as much development as we have today. This vision simply recognizes that we can't afford to lose much more forest and still have widespread access to clean, affordable water; natural carbon uptake that buffers climate change; and widespread use and enjoyment of the woods.
What do you mean by “Wildlands” and how would they be managed?
The W&W vision suggests that 7% of the New England landscape should be set aside as Wildland reserves. This does not mean that these must be areas untouched by human and natural disturbance (another word for large-scale change). In fact, most wildlands that exist today have seen many forms of disturbance. In the W&W vision, Wildlands are forests that local people have identified as places needing special consideration, that should not be developed or intensively managed. Everyone probably knows of a natural area like this near their home. Over time, people could work across communities to establish larger-scale Wildlands where nature is left to take its course. Ultimately, the degree of human use and activity in these areas would depend on the type of forest, its sensitivity to disturbance, and to the needs and interests of the people who established the reserve.
What is the role of forest harvesting and what is your position on biomass?
Wildlands and Woodlands did not specifically analyze biomass harvesting. The report does note that sustainable forest harvesting is important to the future of the region and central to achieving long-term conservation goals.
How does this vision relate to the issue of climate change?
No one knows exactly what the future will hold in terms of our changing climate. But we do know that protecting our forests as green infrastructure will help buffer future impacts by sequestering emissions of greenhouse gases and supporting the uptake of carbon.
Why should the average person care about Wildlands and Woodlands?
We all benefit from the generations of New England landowners who have kept large parts of New England free from development. But we can’t take for granted that existing forestland will stay that way. Anyone who has accessed a trail or a favorite fishing hole on private forestland should consider the value of a vision that will help maintain access to these resources in perpetuity. Those who value the connection between forests, a stable supply of clean water and clean air, flourishing native plants and wildlife, and regional resilience to climate change will appreciate that a concerted effort is needed to sustain the infrastructure underlying these benefits.