Press Release: 5/5/2026
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $951,000 to Protect Forest Reserves
Grants will preserve wildlife habitat and support healthier, stronger forests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/04/2026
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Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager
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Email Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager at aisha.revolus@mass.gov
BOSTON — BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today awarded $951,000 in grants to permanently protect 430 acres to be managed as forest reserves. Three projects in the communities of Belchertown, Huntington, and Wendell have been awarded grants through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program to offer outdoor recreational opportunities, store carbon to mitigate climate change, and protect habitats important to biodiversity.
“Our forests are some of our most valuable natural resources. Protecting them means cleaner air, healthier wildlife, and more places for people to get outside,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Allowing forests to grow older and stronger will help them absorb more pollution and carbon from the air, supporting healthier communities for the future.”
"Forests protect us by acting as massive natural air filters, improving air quality and boosting biodiversity by providing habitat for countless species. Nature works hard for us every day, yet we often leave the value of her labor off the balance sheet,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “That's why we're proud to make these awards protecting Massachusetts' forest reserves, and ensuring we're mitigating the impacts of increasing heat across our state."
The grant program, a result of the Forest as Climate Solutions Initiative, supports designating 10 percent of Massachusetts forests as reserves, where trees can grow, age, and regenerate naturally, with little to no active management. Permanently protected, these forests will create habitat for wildlife, capture and store carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change, help keep local communities cooler during extreme heat, and slow stormwater runoff to reduce flooding, among other benefits.
“As we confront the climate crisis, protecting and preserving our forests is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce carbon in our atmosphere and build resilience for the future,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “These grant awards represent a meaningful investment in the long-term health of our forests, protecting critical landscapes in western and north central Massachusetts so they can continue to store carbon, support biodiversity, and mature into resilient older forest habitats. By conserving places like the Bullard Ridge Reserve in Wendell and the forests surrounding the Quabbin Reservoir, the Commonwealth is strengthening watershed protection, expanding access to passive recreation, and safeguarding some of our most intact forest ecosystems. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for their leadership in advancing these efforts and supporting communities in preserving these vital natural resources.”
The following grantees were awarded funding through EEA’s Acquisitions for Forest Reserves Grant Program:
| AWARDEE | PROJECT NAME | PROJECT DESCRIPTION | GRANT AWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Belchertown | Mahall & Walker Forest | This project conserves 127 acres of deciduous hardwood forest within the Quabbin Reservoir Watershed. Protection of this forested property will expand upon passive recreational opportunities at the adjacent Town owned forest at Jabish Brook Conservation Area for public enjoyment. | $392,500 |
| Northeast Wilderness Trust | River’s Edge Wilderness Preserve | (Huntington) These 223 acres of forest along the federally designated scenic Westfield River will connect over 1,500 acres of existing state and federally protected land. The purchase of this forest will further the scenic values of the Westfield River and protect sensitive terrestrial and aquatic habitats. | $425,000 |
| Mt. Grace Land Conservation Trust | Bullard Ridge Reserve | (Wendell) This project will secure 80 acres as a new “forever wild” reserve and expand permanent protection within one of central Massachusetts’ most intact forest landscapes. The effort expands upon 11,000 acres of protected lands that include Wendell State Forest, Orange State Forest, the Whetstone Wood Wildlife Sanctuary, and Warwick State Forest. | $133,500 |