Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts Executive Committee Meeting - Mar. 11th, 2026

This is a virtual meeting via Zoom. Members of the Board and 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 – Board Chair Dicken Crane
2. Approval of Minutes from Sept. 23, Dec. 12 joint meeting with Finance & Budget Com., & Jan. 14
3. Agent Staffing Update – Posting for new Woodlands Partnership Program Director role (departure of Agent Lisa Hayden from NEFF for new CT position in mid-April); 2-3 Board members needed to participate in a search committee with NEFF; List of key deadlines, deliverables
4. Update on National Heritage Area feasibility study consultants’ progress and report drafting – plan for draft to be shared this month & next steps
5. Discussion of request for Woodlands Partnership to take on coordination of meetings for Mohican-Mohawk Trail Partnership group from MA DCR: D. Crane report on options of co-managing or taking on as part of Heritage Area tourism & recreation planning
6. Agent updates: Passage of WP Fund language correction in statute; April 9, 6:30 pm Ethan Tapper webinar & forest videotaping visits week of May 11; tree-planting sites need to be completed by Aug.
7. Finalizing March Board meeting agenda (likely March 24, 5:30-7:30 via Zoom) to include votes on:
a. Jan. Ex. Com. recommendations (W. Comis. on Indian Affairs new Board seat; exploring National Heritage Area participation & funding sharing with Indigenous communities); by-laws update
b. Creation of working group to advance legal opinion on non-profit status – or recommend if joint Exec. & Finance/Budget Committee will move this process forward?
8. Items not anticipated within 48 hours
9. Public Comment
10. Adjourn