North County Land Trust was pleased to offer their first Woodland Connections for Women workshop in April. This event, brought together women landowners to share their questions, concerns, experiences, and strategies as decision makers or decision making partners. Our hostess, Jassy Bratko, who also happens to be our director of Land Protection, led us on an enjoyable walk through her 100 ac farm and woodlands in Hubbardston and explained some of the management decisions they’ve made over the years including creating a silvopasture, harvesting timber, recreational trails and uses, her personal story of conservation, and some of her considerations as she and her husband plan for the future.
The walk was followed by an afternoon tea and refreshments while participants exchanged resources and connected with each other.
It was a beautiful day with about 17 women participating.
• Attendees represented about 500 acres total (not counting one woman’s family who holds 5,000 in New York!)
• Farms: Veganic Vegetable, Grass-fed beef/meat, Sheep/fiber, Horses, Therapy Animals, Orchard, Hay, Maple Sugaring. APR conserved land, Chapter 61A
• Woodlands: from a few acres to 5,000 in the Adirondacks, some with stewardship plans and some not.
• Some land with Conservation Restrictions, some not protected. Chapter 61, and 61B. Forest Stewardship Plans.
The discussion was far reaching and included family succession, recreation/liability, land management decisions and funding opportunities. Many of you provided answers to other people’s questions.
Because we know that land owners care about their land and are important partners for us, we hope to continue to host workshops and provide information on resources that can help them achieve their goals, now and in the future. Informed decisions are the best decisions.
If you have suggested topics for workshops or would like to know more about what opportunities are out there for landowners, please contact us!
This event is funded, in part, by the MA DCR Working Forest Initiative.