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In recognition of the many public benefits private lands provide, landowner assistance programs have been developed as a way to support landowners.
To many landowners, the acronyms of these various programs can be a confusing “alphabet soup”. It is important to do your homework to fully understand the benefits of the programs and your obligations under it. The programs can generally be used separately or in combination with each other. Also, consider talking to a neighbor or a friend who has participated in a program to learn about their experience.
A brief explanation of the available landowner programs and the government organization which administers them can be found below. Simply click the program name for more information about a specific program.
State tax laws in Massachusetts require that land be taxed at its full and fair market value. Most often this value is derived from residential development. Property taxation presents a problem for landowners who are interested in keeping their land undeveloped. To assist landowners the Commonwealth passed created the Chapter 61, 61A and 61B programs. Each law provides a means to assess forest land at a portion of its fair market value, lowering landowner taxes and making it more affordable for landowners to maintain their land as undeveloped.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Although typically associated with more traditional forms of agriculture, the most recent farm bill includes funding for forest non-industrial forest land owners. Applications may be submitted at any time. Find your local NRCS service center.
Additional Information
EQIP Forestry Information (PDF)
WHIP is a voluntary program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners who want to improve fish and wildlife habitat or restore natural ecosystems on their land. Applications may be submitted at any time. Find your local NRCS service center. To apply, see "Landowner Sign-up Forms" above.
The Massachusetts Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) supports and encourages private forest landowners' efforts to manage, enjoy, and care for their land using a long-term approach. The FSP is administered by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Bureau of Forestry which strives to provide education and periodic cost-share opportunities to forest landowners.
One of the programs of the FSP is its new "Working Forest Initiative". The initiative includes the Forest Viability and Enhancement Program and the Carbon Offset and Trading program. Learn more about the Working Forest Initiative (PDF). The Working Forest Initiative also includes an Estate Planning Outreach effort to landowners. Learn more about the Estate Planning Outreach effort.
The FSP currently has funds available for preparing new Forest Stewardship management plans. Download a FSP mangement plan cost share form. For more information about management plan cost-share, e-mail
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or call him at (413) 442-8928 X135.
Landowners with a FSP management plan and/or enrolled in the Ch. 61 Current Use program are eligible to become Forest Stewardship Council green certified. Learn more about green certification. To become green certified, landowners must upgrade their forest management plans to green certification standards. Cost-share is available for this management plan upgrade. Download a green certification management plan upgrade cost share form. For more information about DCR's green certification program, e-mail
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or call him at (413) 237-9713.
The LIP program is administered through the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as a partnership that provides private landowners interested in developing and maintaining wildlife habitat on their property with financial and technical assistance.
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