In 1741 Jonathan Cowls began acquiring and sustainably managing farmland and timberland that today consists of over 100 parcels in 30 towns in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Cowls foresters prepare long-term management plans for each parcel and harvest multiple forest products, including veneer logs, sawlogs, pulpwood, and cordwood for regional markets.

A founding member of the American Tree Farm System, Cowls adheres to the strict standards of the nations’ oldest sustainable forestry certification program.  Under this program, wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed proection are important factors in managing the forest for wood production. Several Cowls parcels are also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Today, Cowls is the largest private landowner in the state, managing later generations of the same forests that Jonathan Cowls harvested over 270 years ago. That fact, along with numerous awards, is proof of our sustainable management.