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:
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.
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.