Forest Friendly Development

Each year in this region and throughout the nation, a number of acres of forest are being converted to developed uses. The Center for Watershed Protection and the U.S. Forest Service - Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry advise that municipalities and developers in urbanizing areas can take steps to protect existing forest resources and prevent forest loss while still allowing for development by (among other practices):

1. directing growth away from large, ecologically intact forest land using zoning and urban growth techniques;
2. permanently protecting valuable forest land through the purchase of land and conservation easements;
3. developing municipal programs for community reforestation projects on public lands, providing incentives for planting trees on private property, and establishing procedures for long term maintenance of the urban forest; and
4. limiting overall forest loss during development through local regulations that:

• limit clearing of native vegetation,
• require forest conservation,
• require forested stream buffers,
• promote development that conserves open space,
• include provisions for physically protecting trees during construction,
• provide stormwater credits for tree conservation and planting, and
• require tree planting in landscaped areas or as part of reforestation requirements.

For more information about “forest friendly development,” please visit:

Center for Watershed Protection and US Forest Service - Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry: Forest Friendly Development

Background information:

Center for Watershed Protection

USDA Forest Service: Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry