Vermont Woodlands Resources
10 Answers about Vermont’s “Current Use” Program
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…
Vermont EAB Update
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,…
Forester licensing and CEUs
Appropriately, social distancing has resulted in the cancellation of many continuing educational opportunities. Forester licenses are up for renewal in September, and this has many foresters wondering where to get the additional credits they’ll need. We have some news and resources to help: License…
August 2020 Forest Health Insect and Disease Observations report
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…
Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week: September 12-19, 2020
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…
Availability of Petition for Deregulation of American Chestnut Developed Through Genetic Engineering
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a petition from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) seeking deregulation of an American chestnut variety developed…
July 2020 Forest Health Insect and Disease Observations report
July continued to follow the warming trend, with higher temperatures and similar rainfall as the previous year. Statewide temperatures averaged 71°F, which was 2°F warmer than last year. Statewide precipitation averaged 3.93 inches, which was 0.54 inches more than July of last…
Forest Economy Stabilization Grant
The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is pleased to announce that the application for the Forest Economy Stabilization Grant program (FESG) is live as of 8 am Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Click here to access the application. Important information to…
New Program: Forest Business Training for Mid-Career Professionals
The Vermont Forest Business School (FBN) will offer a special session for mid-career forest business owners and professionals starting this Fall (October 2020). This part time program will use a combination of distance learning and occasional group sessions to provide professional development…
June 2020 Forest Health Insect and Disease Observations report
Mid-June marks the end of spring and the official start to the summer season. Temperatures fluctuated throughout the month, with average ranges between 50°F and 75.8°F. Compared to last year, this month was warmer and dryer than June of 2019. Statewide temperatures…
New Technology for Vermont’s Oldest Industry
Start-Up Whiteout Solutions Piloting Forest Inventory and Mapping Technology in Northeast Kingdom By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Vermont’s first sawmill opened in 1738, nearly a century before the first chainsaw was invented, not to mention…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE July 7, 2020
The Legislature recessed June 26, 2020 and will be back August 25, 2020. When the Legislature returns, they will be finishing the budget for rest of the fiscal year and review the stimulus bills that were passed. They may also work on…
Financial Relief for the Forest Economy
On Friday, June 26, 2020, the Senate and house passed S. 351 to provide financial assistance to the agricultural community and included appropriations to the Forestry sector. The house amendment included appropriating $5,000,000 for the Forest Economy Stabilization Grant Program. Under this…
Introducing Vermont Almanac
The Vermont Almanac is an annual 224-page book – our first volume will be mailed in December 2020. We’ll share content throughout the year on our website and social media channels, as well as via a regular e-newsletter. The Almanac will be…
A Life: Putnam Blodgett ‘was happiest in the woods’
Click here to read a post in the Valley News about Putnam Blodgett.
Agroforestry is ‘win win’ for bees and crops, study shows
Planting woody plant species alongside crops could double the number of insect pollinators helping farmers produce food, new research has demonstrated for the first time. The study, led by the University of Reading and published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment,…
Forest Service Chief announces new Regional Forester for Eastern Region
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…
May 2020 Forest Health Insect and Disease Observations report
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…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE June 15, 2020
As we maneuver these very challenging times, I will continue to provide you with the most current information that I have, but please realize that things are changing very rapidly. Please stay informed and safe. *jane WEEK 23 Last Friday, the House…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE June 8, 2020
As we maneuver these very challenging times, I will continue to provide you with the most current information that I have, but please realize that things are changing very rapidly. Please stay informed and safe. *Jane WEEK 21 As was reported previously,…
State Seeks Public Input to Inform Worcester Range Land Management Plan
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is developing a new long-range management plan for the Worcester Range Management Unit and is conducting public scoping to better understand how Vermonters use and value these lands. The long-range management plan serves as a…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE June 1, 2020
As we maneuver these very challenging times, I will continue to provide you with the most current information that I have, but please realize that things are changing very rapidly. Please stay informed and safe. *Jane WEEK 21 As I reported last…
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE May 26, 2020
As we maneuver, these very challenging times, I will continue to provide you with the most current information that I have but please realize that things are changing very rapidly. Please stay informed and safe. *Jane WEEK 20 Last Wednesday Governor Phil…
Working Lands Grants will Assist VT Ag businesses with COVID-19 planning and response
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…