Vision for New England

New England forests are at a turning point. Following a 200-year resurgence, forest cover has begun to decline in every New England state. What will we do with this challenge and opportunity?

The Vision at a Glance

The Wildlands and Woodlands vision calls for a 50-year conservation effort to retain at least 70 percent of New England in forestland, permanently free from development.

• 90% of forests would be “Woodlands,” conserved by willing landowners and sustainably managed for multiple uses, from recreation to wood products.

• 10% of forests would be “Wildland” reserves, identified by local communities and shaped only by the natural environment. 

Achieving the Vision

Achieving the vision will require a doubling of current rates of conservation. This cannot be accomplished by sweeping public acquisition or regulatory fiat. It will require working with thousands of willing private landowners who are interested in securing the future of their land through conservation easements and other approaches. There are many ways for individuals and organizations to get involved.