Woodlang Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts - Executive Committee Meeting - Sept. 23rd, 2025

This is a virtual meeting via Zoom. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Please email Agent Lisa Hayden to request a Zoom link at any time: lhayden@newenglandforestry.org

Agenda

1. Call to order and welcome
2. Approval of July 30, 2025 minutes
3. Focus on Heritage Area Feasibility Study:
   
   1. Introduce consultant Jessica Dolan, PhD: Update on launch of Indigenous-focused Inventory
   2. Chairman’s report: recent Indigenous community meetings; discussions re: transparency & potential Heritage Area funding
   3. Discuss questions from Regional Planning Agencies on their portion of NHA feasibility study
4. Agent’s report:
   
   1. Board insurance renewal quotes
   2. $75,000 EOEEA WP grant Voices for Forest awarded – video story telling & schools outreach
   3. USFS modification & extension approved – completion of Forest-Centered Stewardship grant
   4. USFS tree-planting grant – 2 more planting sites for fall & spring
   5. Plan for Oct. Ex. Com. meeting: Revisit consultant’s 3-year Fundraising plan: key recommendations & next steps on fiscal sponsor and financial structure questions
   6. Slow Wood book reading event held at Williams College
5. Scheduling Oct. Committee meeting & Fall Board meeting – likely Heritage Area focus
6. Any item(s) not anticipated within 48 hours
7.  Public comment
8. Adjourn
   __________________________________________________________________________________________________
   Executive Committee members: Dicken Crane – Windsor (Board Chair); Art Schwenger – Heath (Board Vice Chair); Alain Peteroy – Franklin Land Trust (Clerk); Chris Cozzaglio – Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (Treasurer); Rhonda Anderson – Ohketeau Cultural Center; Russ Richardson – Massachusetts Forest Alliance; Robert O’Connor – MA EOEEA