Every forest management decision will benefit some wildlife species and not others. It is therefore, important to think about the type of wildlife you are interested in attracting and the type of habitat those species use. Management for wildlife typically follows the “if you build it they will come” philosophy. In other words, concentrate on providing the habitat needs of your species of choice and they will find it. 

150 years ago, much of Massachusetts was cleared for agriculture. Since the farms were abandoned during a relatively short period of time, many of our forests grew up at the same time. These forests have continued to grow creating similar aged forests across the state. This uniform age forest creates the need for two types of forests: 1) forests with old-growth characteristics and 2) very young forests (<15 years old). Forest habitat management for biodiversity often includes trying to create young forests, early successional habitat, by harvesting trees or by developing old-growth characteristics in your woods through either active or passive management.  There are incentive programs for landowners to create habitat for at risk species.  Learn more about landowner programs.

When looking at habitat it is critical to look beyond your own stone walls to see what is happening in the landscape in which you live. You do not need to provide every need for every species. Wildlife does not stop at boundaries! Animals such as moose and black bears use 1,000 acres. Your property is a part of a larger whole. As such, you may choose to change the conditions on your property to either diversify your property from what is happening around you or you may choose to help add to existing habitat to improve it.

• Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Habitat
• Managing Grasslands, Shublands, and Young Forests for Wildlife
• Restoring Old-growth Characteristics