Protecting Vermont’s biodiversity means addressing the overlapping threats through thoughtful management, connectivity planning, and long-term stewardship. Whether you are just beginning to think about biodiversity or have been stewarding your land for years, your actions matter.
Actions to Support Forest Biodiversity
Resources
General Biodiversity Stewardship
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There are many resources to help you steward your backyard or woods depending on your time, resources, and interests.
- Managing Diversity: Forest management practices that promote biodiversity
- Wildlife Habitat Management Manual (PDF): Species ecology and habitat management guidance for landowners
- Vermont Town Forest Recreation Planning Natural Resource Guide (PDF): Guidance on identifying and managing important natural resources in town forests
- Create Habitat in Your Backyard Woods (YouTube): How to create wildlife habitat at home or in the woods
- More than Syrup: Supporting Biodiversity in Your Sugarbush (PDF): Biodiversity best practices for sugarbush management
Young and Old Forest Stewardship
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- Young Forest Guide (PDF): Tips for creating and maintaining young forest habitat
- Restoring Old Forest Characteristics (PDF): How to identify and enhance old-forest traits in younger stands
Birds, Bees, Bats, and Bringing Back Wild Trout Stewardship
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Birds
- Birds with Silviculture in Mind (PDF): Bird-friendly forest management guidance from Audubon
- Bird-Friendly Maple Sugarbush Management with Birds in Mind: Sugarbush management practices that support birds
Bees and Insects
- Seeing the Forest for the Bees: Introduction to forest pollinators and their ecology
- Bees in the Woods (PDF): Forest bee ecology and stewardship guidance
Bats
- Managing Forests for Bats: Forest management practices that support bat habitat
- Managing Woodlands for State and Federal Endangered Bats: Bat ecology, threats, and management considerations
Bringing Back Wild Trout
- Bringing Back Wild Trout: Trout habitat restoration through strategic woody additions.
- Vermont Strategic wood addition handbook (PDF): Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department manual as to how to assess, plan, and implement strategic woody additions in streams to improve aquatic habitat.
Get Help from Experts and Organizations
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Below are website resources of organizations that host regular events and workshops on forest stewardship and can help you support biodiversity.
- Audubon Vermont: Bird-friendly technical assistance for landowners
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): USDA program offering cost-share and financial support for forestry projects
- University of Vermont Extension Forestry: Science-based forestry resources and education
- Vermont Biodiversity Alliance: Collaborative network promoting and stewarding biodiversity in Vermont
- Vermont Center for Ecostudies: Research and community science on Vermont’s species, communities, and ecosystems
- Vermont County Foresters: Free site visits and technical assistance for landowners
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: Education, programs, and events led by state forestry staff
- Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife: Peer-to-peer education and training for wildlife-friendly forestry
- Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department: Education, programs, and events led by state wildlife staff
- Vermont Natural Resources Council: Technical assistance and policy solutions to protect natural resources and reduce forest fragmentation
- Vermont Woodlands Association: Workshops, walks, and resources on sustainable forestry
