Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative

Address: 1 Sugarloaf ST
Town: South Deerfield, MA 01373
Telephone: (413) 397-8800
Web site: http://www.masswoodlands.coop/
Category: Non-Profit Groups

We are a Coop of local landowners managing our forests responsibly to conserve land and protect the resources of our region: clean water, healthy forests, diverse wildlife habitats, and sustainable wood products. When we harvest our wood we process it locally to support the region's wood producers and keep local dollars in the region. We are proud to offer you responsibly harvested, locally grown and locally made wood products from an abundant natural resource. Buying HomeGrown Wood^TM is one way to help us in our mission of using an abundant natural resource wisely for the good of our communities.

B e l i e f s
The following values and beliefs form the justification for cooperative
activities and the standard by which they will be evaluated:

* Stewardship of the forest is the responsibility of all cooperative members.
* Responsible forestry includes attention to all aspects of ecosystem health
(tree and plant quality, water quality, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, etc.).
* Effective management of forest resources will create a sustained flow of
forest benefits including timber, wildlife, clean water, aesthetics, and recreation.
* The cooperative will strengthen the local economy by maximizing the economic
return to landowners and using local businesses whenever possible.
* The establishment of a landowner cooperative will improve forestry
standards in western Massachusetts.
* Forestry standards will be further enhanced by the organization's
involvement with green certification.
* Individual landowner income from forest products will increase
as a result of their participation in the cooperative.
* Educational activities sponsored by the cooperative will assist members
and others in acquiring knowledge and understanding of sustainable forestry
practices and this will improve privately owned woodlands.

O p e r a t i n g P r i n c i p l e s
The cooperative will place an emphasis on practicing responsible forestry and preserving the working forest landscapes of western Massachusetts for future generations. In the process, the cooperative will protect wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat, reverse the practice of high grading timber, invigorate the local economy and provide educational programs for its members. Activities of the cooperative will be guided by the following principles:

* All forestry activities undertaken by members will be based on sound
concepts of responsible harvesting and management.
* Members will market their forest products through the cooperative.
* The cooperative will market products through local buyers whenever possible.
* Members will use local suppliers, operators and services whenever possible.
* The cooperative will start small and build slowly on the basis of successful demonstration projects.
* The cooperative will operate as a commercial enterprise, seeking to generate
profits for its members so that they can afford to be good stewards of the land.
* The cooperative will develop collaborative relationships with other groups
that have similar interests in sustainable forestry.
* The cooperative will seek external funding (e.g., grants and contracts)
that will enhance the organization's ability to achieve its goals.