Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership - Forest Conservation Standing Committee Meeting - Nov. 2nd, 2021

* This will be a Virtual Meeting as allowed by “An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency,” signed into law by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on June 16, 2021 extending until April 1, 2022 remote meeting provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30 sec.20.

Members of the public are welcome. Please email Lisa Hayden to request a Zoom link: [email protected]

Committee Members: Kate Lindroos Conlin, Larry Flaccus, Sheila Kelliher, Robert O’Connor, Alain Peteroy, Mark Phelps

Agenda

1. Approval of Committee minutes from August 3 meeting
2. Public comment
3. Discussion of MTWP 2015 Plan edits: See draft Committee Summary Sheet:
   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qk1AUYs5OwyjTIKxE-kMIbB2c4dXOn9jKmUC6v7I5tE/edit?usp=drivesdk
   
   Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15k-yFz1bf0dHdolH8ayQaTEFYrMv_5i4wZqDq_BHONg/edit?usp=drivesdk
   
   Review Plan highlighted areas within committee purview: Comments welcome on these sections of the plan or other areas. http://www.mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership.org/uploads/1/1/7/5/117522940/2015_mtwp_plan_to_update_committees.pdf
    - Additions, deletions, and revisions that will bring the Plan up to date and into compliance with the MA enabling legislation – which can be found at this link: http://www.mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership.org/uploads/1/1/7/5/117522940/mtwp_final_legislation.pdf
   
   
4. Vote on proposed Committee mission statement:
   Conserve forestland in private ownership to protect the region’s rural character, forest-based economy, climate resilience, and ecological benefits through funding, planning, and outreach.
5. Ideas to define “assessment of natural resources,” (habitat, conserved & state lands, priorities for conservation, etc.) called for in the legislation & Partnership Plan (who will conduct this assessment – an intern or consultant? Does sufficient data already exist?)
6. Update on Williams College students’ Forest Center needs project
7. Site walks on FLT land, or at a town forest planning for climate change
8. Use of Community Preservation Act funding for forest preservation
9. Follow-up on search for intern to coordinate priorities with towns – Terra Corps?
10. Scheduling our next meeting.
11. Any items not known at drafting of agenda.
12. Adjournment