Keystone Project was given the 2017 Environmental Service Award by the MA Association of Conservation Commissions

Outstanding Environmental Education MA Keystone Project   Conservation is local. The Keystone Project (originally Coverts) was started in 1998 by UMass Extension as a means to provide private woodland owners with conservation information. With one Extension Forester, and thousands of private woodland owners, the model was designed to invest in peer owners and inform community leaders, and have them make connections and disseminate information in their respective towns. Training involves three days at the Harvard Forest with field trips and classroom talks by a variety of conservation professionals. Early on, it was recognized that in addition to forest owners, conservation commissioners and others could be excellent conduits of information. Since 1988, 26 classes have been held, with over 500 people participating as Keystone Cooperators. They collectively own over 36,000 acres, and through their community or organization are involved with over 500,000 acres. Acres and people are only part of the Keystone Story. Cooperators are expected to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours to advance...
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