University of Massachusetts Amherst

A narrow, wooden boardwalk through a thickly vegetated forest.

Research

Understanding Forest Owners Through Data

The Family Forest Research Center leads national efforts to understand private forest ownership in the United States. As partners of the USDA Forest Service, we primarily conduct the National Woodland Owner Survey and National Resource Use Monitoring, which form the foundation of much of our research. Beyond these core programs, we explore a wide range of topics affecting family forest owners, from land use change, estate planning, and public policy to forest health and invasive species. Our work also identifies the needs of landowners and helps guide the development of outreach tools and resources—many of which are available on the MassWoods website. We frequently collaborate with other researchers, institutions, and agencies to address forest-related issues at regional and national scales. 

Couple hiking through the woods with a dog.

National Woodland Owner Survey

If we want to fully understand the forests, we need to understand the people and groups that make decisions about them. We conduct the National Woodland Owner Survey, the social component of the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program, which provides nationally consistent data about private forest owners, including information about their needs, motivations, and challenges.

Learn More

National Resource Use Monitoring

We support National Resource Use Monitoring, a component of the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program, by collecting data on timber product outputs and harvest utilization from wood processing mills and active logging sites throughout the Northern Region.

Learn More
Two researchers record data on tree stumps.

Other Family Forest Research

A coniferous sapling grows from a mossy log.

Assessing the Participation, Effectiveness, and Equity of Revegetation Assistance Programs for Private and Tribal Landowners in the U.S. Using Evidence-Based Policy and Participatory Action Research Approaches

Main Contacts: Sarah Butler and Brett Butler

Large trees with red bark on their trunks.

Cross-Boundary Cooperation for Mature and Old Growth Forests

Main Contact: Amanda Robillard

Creek flowing through the woods.

Landowner Financial Assistance Program Assessment for Riparian Forest Buffers

Main Contacts: Sarah Butler and Abigail Andrews

Monitoring Firewood Bank Implementation Across the United States

Main Contact: Sarah Butler

Parents with three kids volunteering in the woods.

Next Generation of Forest Landowners

Main Contact: Paul Catanzaro

Sun streaming into a spruce forest with mossy forest floor.

Private Forest Owners in Nordic Societies: Diverse Objectives, Common Values, Shared Expectations 

Main Contact: Brett Butler

Trees with yellow leaves in the fall.

Renewable Resource Planning Act (RPA) Assessment

Main Contact: Brett Butler

Aerial view of a forest in autumn.

Small Area Estimation

Main Contact: Vance Harris

SMURF the Forest Owners' Project will help the European forest-based value chain providing sustainable and profitable management and business models, a standard Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) system and provide support structures and training for small forest holdings.

SMURF

Main Contact: Brett Butler

An old log cabin in the woods.

Supporting USDA Forest Service Region 9 to Reach and Engage Underserved Landowners

Main Contact: Emmalyn Terracciano

A man hiking along a rocky trail through the woods.

USDA Forest Service, Forest Stewardship Program Assessment 

Main Contact: Brett Butler

Looking up at the thick leaf canopy of an oak tree.

White Oak Initiative Landowner Survey

Main Contact:

Aerial view of a forest in autumn.

Want the latest research?

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates and new publications from the Family Forest Research Center.

Subscribe