Funds available for Golden-winged Warbler Habitat
Vermont NRCS is targeting grown-up fields and pastures to be managed to benefit the golden-winged warbler. This small migratory bird is declining across it’s range (northeastern US and adjoining parts of Canada) and is therefore a regional species of concern. Golden-winged warblers are part of a group of birds called “shrubland birds” that require thickets of shrubs and woody cover interspersed with grassy and herbaceous openings. A mixture of short and tall shrubs, scattered trees and herbaceous openings are ideal. This habitat can often be found on old fields or lightly grazed pastures on farms in the Champlain Valley; this region is also the primary range of the bird in the state.
Funding is available for southwestern Chittenden County, western Addison County and northwestern Rutland County to help create preferred habitat conditions. Contact your local USDA Service Center for more information. Applications will be accepted until May 7th, 2013. Pictures of the bird, habitat and information sheets and Focus Area Maps are available on the NRCS WHIP website.
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Bobolink Project
Spring is here and migratory songbirds are flying north to nest in Vermont. Will they find suitable habitat when they get here? Your pledge helps ensure that they will.
The Bobolink Project is a new way to protect wildlife while supporting the working landscape. The program works with farmers willing to delay mowing of hayfields until after the nesting season. This summer the project hopes to protect several 10-acre hayfields in Addison and Chittenden Counties for bobolinks and other wildlife. The amount of acreage depends on the value of pledges received by April 29. Your support is needed to ensure safe habitat for birds nesting in Vermont’s working hayfields.
Information about the project and how to pledge can be found at www.bobolinkproject.com or contact Professor Stephen Swallow at (860) 486-1917. The Bobolink Project is a collaborative effort of the University of Vermont and the University of Connecticut. Research and administrative costs are covered by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, so 100 percent of the money pledged in Vermont goes directly to Vermont farmers.
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Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) announced the release of available grant funds to invest $986,500 into agricultural, forestry and forest product enterprises and organizations. Applications are available at www.vermontworkinglands.com along with tools and resources to assist applicants. Application deadlines are in January 2013.
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The Women Owning Woodlands web project strives to bring topical, accessible, and current forestry information to female woodland owners and forest practitioners.
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Discover the Forest
This PSA campaign aims to inspire tweens (aged 8-12) and their parents to re-connect with nature, experiencing it first-hand.
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My Land Plan.org
A resource for woodland owners, by woodland owners to help you protect and enjoy your woods.
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ImapInvasives website for tracking invasive plants and insects in Vermont.
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Invest in Sustainable Logging Practices
The Orange County Headwaters Project is working with the state to build two skidder bridges for use in Eastern Orange County. You can help make these bridges possible by investing in this sustainable logging project through a new crowd-funding website CleanWaterFuture.org. Learn more....
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State Officials Confirm Emerald Ash Borer Detected in
Massachusetts for First Time
September 12, 2012
Officials with the Massachusetts Department of
Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Agricultural Resources
(DAR) announced that the Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in
Massachusetts. Read full PR>>>
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Emerald Ash Borer Found in Prospect and Naugatuck, Connecticut
July 20, 2012
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was detected in Prospect, CT. Read full PR>>
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U.S. Senate Passes Farm Bill
June 21, 2012
The U.S. Senate approved the 2012 Farm Bill with a strong bipartisan vote 64-35, setting America’s agriculture and forestry policy for the next five years. Read full PR>>
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Ash Management
Guidance for Forest Managers
April 2012 Vermont Forest Health publication, VT FPR
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Federal Income Tax on Timber: A Key to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
Newest U.S. Forest Service timber tax publication with landowners most FAQs. Download here>>
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Policy on Forest Management Plans and Amendments for Land
Enrolled in Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program (UVA)
Related to Emerald Ash Borer
September 16, 2011 (modified October 3, 2011)
Here is information about Use Value Appraisal plans and activities in view of the eventual arrival of Emerald Ash Borer>>>>
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New Publication on Harvesting Biomass from Your Woods
UMass Extension has a new publication aimed at landowners who have concerns about harvesting biomass from their woodlands. "Harvesting Biomass from Your Woods: Make an Informed Decision" explains, in eight pages, what biomass is generally used for, what a biomass harvest entails, and its effect on aesthetics, wildlife, and forest soils. The publication also provides guidelines for such harvests. It can be downloaded here.
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Updated Guidelines for Instream Work
This link will take you to the webpage with links to updated guidelines for Instream Work, Culvert Replacement and more stream restoration information.
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/rivers.htm
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Storm Recovery Resources from VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation
The Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation has information on their website for storm resources. The website will be updated regularly so please visit it often to see what might be available to help forest landowners with storm recovery.
http://www.vtfpr.org/resource/storms.cfm
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Income Tax Deduction for Timber Casualty Loss (updated June 2011)
by Dr. Linda Wang
National Timber Taxation Specialist, USDA Forest Service
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The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is offering "Don't Move Firewood" customizable tools on the state firewood website www.firewood.vt.gov. A "Don't Move Firewood" poster is also available.
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Download “The Nature Conservancy Fact Sheets on Vermont’s Invasive Plants”
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Forestry Initiative Factsheet. For more information on the program, please visit the NRCS website.
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UNH Cooperative Extension
has published the second edition of a keystone forestry publication Good Forestry in the Granite State: Recommended Voluntary Forest Management Practices in New Hampshire.
It is available for free on-line at www.goodforestry.org. Ordering information for the hard copy is there as well.
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Vermont Working Landscape Partnership Program (2010-2012)
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is facilitating a non-partisan and broad-based partnership to support local agriculture and forestry, grow and attract farm and forest entrepreneurs, and conserve Vermont’s Working Landscape far into the future.
The Vermont Woodlands Association is an organization partner in the Working Landscape Partnership. Consider joining the partnership as an individual.
Watch the Vermont's Working Landscape: Keeping it Vital video
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NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service). For access to cost share programs through the
Farm Bill (WHIP, EQIP) contact your local NRCS office.
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New Vermont Wetland Rules Available.
The Agency of Natural Resources has released the new Vermont Wetlands Rules. You can also visit www.anr.state.vt.us.
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Top Timber Tax Issues information available.
The USDA Forest Service has released a brief entitled Top Timber Tax Issues on
summarizing the current status on various laws that affect the Federal Income Tax on timber and forest landowners.
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Maple Opportunities
If you have a maple stand that is not tapped and would like to explore leasing opportunities, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association is looking for trees to tap. You can contact VMSMA at www.vermontmaple.org.
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Estate Planning for Forest Landowners Brochure Available
The document "Estate Planning for Forest Landowners: What Will Become of Your Timberland?" has been finalized an the electronic version was posted on the web. This document replaces the September 1993 document of the same name. The link to the pdf document is: http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/pubs/31987. For more information please contact Neal Bungard at the US Forestry Service at nbungard@fs.fed.us.
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Vermont WildWoods is looking for forest-salvaged butternut.
We are looking to speak with any landowners who have diseased and dead butternut logs in their woodlands to potentially buy those logs. We only work with landowners who will agree to leave and not cut any healthy butternut trees in hopes of finding a disease resistant strain of trees. We have been collecting landowner records of potentially healthy butternut trees for 10 years and are starting to work with UVM School of Forestry to give them that information.
We are buying logs year round, and need 1000 board feet minimum to be able to purchase logs. We now have the capability to do the logging with a crew in east central Vermont using a 70hp 4wd Kubota tractor with logging winch and forwarder to minimize stand damage. When we are acting only as log buyers, and not doing the logging, we are paying an average price of $450/mbf International 1/4" scale log run on your landing.
If you are interested, or have questions, please call Parker Nichols, Owner, Vermont WildWoods, Marshfield, VT at 802-426-3449 or visit www.vermontwildwoods.com.
West Rutland Town Forest
