A If we are to sustain our rural communities, we must sustain our forest resources as well. Managing forested ecosystems in sustainable ways is not a luxury—it is a requirement.
 
At the University of Vermont, we understand that the professional skills required to do this are more numerous and complex than previously thought. Silviculture, ecology, and the management sciences have always been considered important in understanding and utilizing forested ecosystems, but effective communication, conflict resolution, synthesis across disciplinary boundaries, and fundamental understandings of community-based economics and legal, political and regulatory frameworks are increasingly vital to managing forests in sustainable ways. Our Forestry Program is evolving its curriculum to meet these challenges.

Graduate study in Sustainable Forestry at the University of Vermont may be approached in several ways – from thesis research to the Sustainable Forestry concentration within the Conservation Leadership Program.  UVM’s Forestry Program is working with a dozen other colleges and universities to develop a multi-institutional Certificate in Sustaining Forests and Human Communities.

Students are admitted to our graduate program from a variety of backgrounds, including the social and ecological sciences. We are as flexible as possible about an applicant’s previous training, but place strong emphasis on a candidate’s ability, enthusiasm, and commitment to do independent, creative, and meaningful work.

For further information,  contact John Shane, School of Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405.
john.shane@uvm.edu  (802) 656-2907