USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen announced today the appointment of Gina Owens as Regional Forester for the Forest Service’s Eastern Region. As Regional Forester, Owens will oversee management of more than 12 million acres of the National Forest System spread across 17 national forests and one national tallgrass prairie in the Northeast and Midwest.
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This month’s weather started off cold and wet, with snowfall occurring in most parts of the state through mid-May. Compared to last year, this month was warmer and dryer than May of 2019. Statewide temperatures averaged 52.9°F, which was 2 degrees warmer than May of last year. Statewide, precipitation averaged 2.93 inches, which is 2.73
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The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) plans to award a total of $180,000 in COVID-19 Response Business Development Grants within the sectors of agriculture and forestry. These funds are designed to complement business’s ability to maintain operations while increasing capacity to rebuild and/or recover during this unprecedented time of need. Approximately 20% of Vermont’s working
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Vermonters faced a short and mild winter of 2019-2020, compared to years past. From December 1 to February 29, statewide temperatures averaged 23°F, which was four degrees warmer than the winter of 2018– 2019. Average precipitation across the state was 9.47 inches, which averaged 2.04 inches less than last year’s average. Click here to
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New detections of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Plainfield, VT have expanded the current infested area in Central Vermont. In addition, two new detections in Sullivan County NH (Plainfield and Langdon) create infested areas that extend into Vermont. The mapped area in Vermont to which “Slow-the-Spread” recommendations apply now includes new areas in Washington, Windsor, and Windham counties. Towns
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The 2019 Forest Insect & Disease Conditions in Vermont has been posted HERE. This is our detailed report with maps showing results of aerial detection and invasive pest surveys, ground survey data summaries, and a comprehensive list of tree health problems that were reported to us last year. A printed version will also be available in the
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Use Value Appraisal: Interpretation of the “20% Rules” for Open Idle/Ag land, Site IV lands, and Ecologically Significant Treatment Areas (ESTA) Approved by Commissioner Snyder October 23, 2019 Background: In all cases, parcels enrolled in the Forestry Program of Use Value Appraisal (UVA) must have a minimum of 25 acres enrolled of which at least
Read More...Vermont Woodlands is a supporter of forester licensing. Any person holding himself or herself out to the public as a forester must be licensed. 26 V.S.A. § 5203(a)(4). And regardless of title, any person practicing forestry must be licensed. Id. § 5203(a)(3). Read the rules governing forester licensing here. The Secretary of State’s website provides a
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Final Ruling on the Northern Long-Eared Bat Summary The northern long-eared bat population has been devastated by the White Nose Syndrome (WNS) throughout the eastern United States. This disease has caused a mortality rate of up to a 90-100% where present. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has listed the northern
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New safety program to help loggers and reduce workers’ comp Governor Phil Scott today announced a new initiative to address the high cost of workers’ compensation insurance for logging contractors in Vermont’s forest economy. The Vermont Logger Safety and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program—developed collaboratively by the Departments of Financial Regulation, Labor and Forests, Parks and
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