Vermont Woodlands Association encourages sound forest-use decisions and timber management practices

Vermont forest in fall

Vermont Woodlands Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to advocate for the management, sustainability, perpetuation, and enjoyment of forests through the practice of excellent forestry that employs highly integrated management practices that protect and enhance both the tangible and intangible values of forests - including clean air and water, forest products, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, recreation, scenic beauty, and other resources - for this and future generations. VWA objectives are to communicate the benefits of working forests, recognize exemplary actions of woodland owners and managers, provide educational opportunities, and to represent its membership before governmental bodies.

Join VWA

VWA has 436 members who manage more than 130,000 acres of forestland. If you would like to become a member you may view and print our brochure or download the membership form and mail to the office with your check. You may also join online and submit payment through PayPal (coming soon!) .

REGISTER TODAY!!
For the Vermont Woodlands Association Level II Forestry School Weekend being held on September 13-14, 2008 at the Hulbert Outdoor Center. Download registration form.

Vermont Woodlands Association introduces E-News. If you would like to subscribe please click here.

Workshops, Tours and Events

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

Call Before You Cut - A Guide to Public Resources for Woodland Owners in Vermont. Take advantage of free services available through the Vermont County Foresters before selling timber from your wood lands. Call Now! Before you cut...not after. Download informational brochure here. (335 KB PDF document)

Educational Opportunities in Forestry
The Vermont Woodlands Association is pleased to provide information on the many forestry related opportunities for teachers and students. Download informational brochure here.

Benefits of membership:
Free Northern Woodlands Magazine
The Vermont Woodlands Association is offering all current members a free one year subscription to Northern Woodlands Magazine.

Free National Woodlands Magazine
The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) is offering all current members of Vermont Woodlands Association, a free one-year subscription to National Woodlands Magazine. This is possible because of VWA's membership in NWOA, a grant to NWOA by American Resources, Inc., and the magazine's advertisers.

Events and Opportunities for Woodland Owners

Help the University of Vermont Locate the American Chestnut.
Researchers with the University of Vermont and the USDA Forest Service are on the hunt for American chestnut trees growing in Vermont. In an effort to begin restoration of this charismatic species to the northern reaches of its range, UVM and the Forest Service are collaborating with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) to conduct controlled pollinations of American chestnut in Vermont. These pollinations would cross trees growing in the cold north with hybrid/backcrossed blight resistant trees bred by TACF. The goal is eventual full restoration of this species to its historical niche within northern forests. If you know the location of any American chestnut (or suspected American chestnut) please contact Kendra Gurney, University of Vermont Graduate Research Assistant, at Kendra.Gurney@uvm.edu or at (802) 951-6771 ext 2180.

Vermont Woodlands Association Positions

VWA has a new Guidelines for Gift of Real Estate policy. If you would like more information please contact VWA at 802-747-7900 or email kwanner@vermontwoodlands.org.

VWA position on Green Mountain National Forest Land & Resource Management Plan (118kb PDF document)

VWA position on Green Mountain National Forest Wilderness Designation (10kb PDF document)

VWA Position on Early-Successional Forests (9kb PDF document)

VWA Position on Illegal ATV Use on Private and State Lands

Problems associated with illegal all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are widespread in Vermont and getting worse. Because unauthorized activity is taking place on private and state woodlands, and considerable resource and property damage is resulting, the Legislature and state agencies should:

• Make registration mandatory for all ATVs that are being used off of one's own property. This would be the same requirement as is currently applied to snowmobile ownership in Vermont. Registration identification markings on ATVs should be visible.

• Enforce the current written landowner permission requirement for ATV use.

• Continue existing policies prohibiting recreational ATV use on state lands.

Learn more about VWA's ATV position.