An Act relative to forest protection

This bill creates a "Forest Reserves Scientific Advisory Council" to guide Massachusetts' Forest Reserve program. The Council, made up of 8 members including ecologists, wildlife experts, and public conservation advocates, advises the state on forest management policies, reviews potential reserve acquisitions, and submits biennial reports on reserve conditions. It also requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop public-input-informed management plans for all forest reserves, including guidelines for protecting natural resources and balancing recreation. These plans must be publicly reviewed and submitted to state officials, ensuring transparency in how public forests are managed.