WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE
​MOHAWK TRAIL WOODLANDS PARTNERSHIP
​ (MTWP) PROJECT

Since 2013, the MTWP Project has sought to bring recognition and additional financial and technical
​resources to 21 municipalities in northwestern Massachusetts (the MTWP region) in order to:

Increase natural resource ​based
​economic development 

Support forest conservation on private lands
​and use of ​sustainable forestry practices

Improve fiscal stability and
sustainability ​of the municipalities

​To achieve these goals, a special designation is being pursued for the region, to be created through
State and Federal legislation. By creating a special designation, the MTWP could then receive
State ​and Federal funding to ​support the goals of the partnership.

​MTWP PROJECT CONTEXT

Massachusetts’ most rural area, the 21-Town Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) region contains diverse historic, scenic, and natural beauty and a rich history of working landscapes. While the region has struggled in recent decades with low wages and a loss of jobs, population, and labor force, the area’s resources and distinctive sense of place provide a strong foundation for building a sustainable rural economy. Input from over 50 community meetings for the MTWP Project shows strong support for pursuing sustainable, natural resource-based economic development that is consistent with the region’s rural character. By bringing additional financial resources and recognition to the region, the MTWP effort can benefit the region by: conserving forests and the essential ecosystem services they provide; growing local forest product and natural resource-based recreation businesses, which in turn provide jobs and tax revenue to communities; and sustaining the region’s workforce, population, and rural way of life.