Once upon a time, “Pioneer” was the pathway to becoming a Tree Farmer. Today, Pioneer status can still serve as an introductory level of participation in the program, but it is not a mandatory starting point. The Pioneer category allows interested landowners who may not quite meet AFF Standards of Sustainability but do meet eligibility
Read More...
The USDA Forest Service announced it will expand its Every Kid Outdoors program to offer fourth- and fifth-grade students and family members fee-free access to more than 2,000 sites on national forests and grasslands for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. A new voucher is available for download now through August 31, 2021. “The
Read More...
In this second article about Vermont’s Current Use program, we explore how to get started. Current Use can apply to either agricultural land or forest land. For our purposes, we will focus on forest land. As always, we endeavor to provide information that is as clear as possible; however, as with many subjects, the answers
Read More...
Montpelier, VT – With wood stove season rapidly approaching, it is time to make sure you have enough dry firewood ready to go for this winter. Evaluating the moisture content of firewood can be tricky. Wood can be purchased when it is “green,” “seasoned,” “dried,” or “kiln dried,” but these are relative terms and wood is
Read More...
The end of the 2019-2020 legislative session came at the fall of the gavel at 6:31 pm on Friday September 25. To say that the session was challenging is an understatement. COVID-19 created an unprecedented session; however, in the end, the Legislature, the Administration, and the Public managed to navigate. BILLS THAT PASSED THIS SESSION
Read More...
Vermont is currently experiencing abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions, and the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is reminding the public to exercise caution and follow all state laws and local ordinances with open burning. Open burning currently requires a permit from your town forest fire warden, and Vermonters should always check with their town forest
Read More...
In this first article about Vermont’s Current Use program, we try to provide some basic facts to interested landowners. Current Use can apply to either agricultural land or forest land. For our purposes, we will focus on forest land. For many of these questions, we have endeavored to provide as clear of an answer as
Read More...
Several new detections of EAB in northwest Vermont have expanded the current infested area into Franklin County. The map of the infested area in Vermont to which “Slow the Spread” recommendations apply now includes new areas in the towns of Isle LaMotte, North Hero, St. Albans, Swanton, and Highgate. A small area in the town
Read More...
August marks the last full month of the summer season, with fall colors and cooler temperatures right around the corner. On average, this month was warmer and wetter than August of 2019. Statewide temperatures averaged 65.6°F, which was 1°F warmer than last year. Statewide precipitation averaged 4.17 inches, which was 0.38 inches more than August
Read More...
New Toolkit & Activities Encourage the Public to Get Involved Montpelier, VT – The week of September 12 – 19 has been designated as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Vermont. The week is part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of an invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees
Read More...