Forest stewardship encompasses both active and passive measures, such as commercial timber harvesting, stand improvement, introduced invasive species control, wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, and conservation. To learn more about forest stewardship and programs for forest landowners, refer to the resources below.
Landowner Guides
- Stewardship Guide for Vermont Forest Landowners: Guide to help landowners explore stewardship options for their forests and lands
- Stewardship Roadmap of Vermont Forest Landowners: Learn the key steps to help perform stewardship of forestlands.
- For the Future of Your Forest: A Guide to Woodland Legacy Planning (PDF): Introduction to land protection options and conservation planning
- Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal (“Current Use”) Program: Enrollment information and updates for Vermont’s Current Use program
- Wildlife Habitat Management - A Landowner's Guide: Developed by Vermont Fish and Wildlife of how to support different species and habitats.
Forest Stewardship Guides
- Restoring Old Forest Characteristics (PDF): Guide to describing, identifying traits, and stewardship options to grow old forests
- Silviculture with Birds in Mind (PDF): Forest bird habitat traits and bird-friendly silviculture practices
- Tree Planting to Enrich, Restore, and Adapt Northern Forests: Reforestation guidance and webinar
- Vermont’s Acceptable Management Practices (AMPs): Water quality standards and resources for logging jobs
- Beyond the “Illusion of Preservation" (PDF): Northeastern forest product use and sustainable management insights
- Northeast Silviculture Library: clearing house of silvicultural prescriptions over different forest types, forest health issues, and management types with case studies
- Maple Manager Forestry Resources: clearing house of maple research forestry practices and manuals
What is a County and Consulting Forester?
County Forester- Guidance to Get You Started
A licensed forester with Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation that provides free individualized technical assistance and educational workshops to the public. They can walk your woods with you, answer your questions, educate you on Vermont's Current Use Program, and share a list of local opportunities and consulting foresters. A great first contact for landowners looking for guidance for their woods.
Consulting Forester- Your Woods, Your Goals, Your Forester
A licensed forester hired by landowners to help provide guidance and manage their woods. Their services vary and typically include preparing forest management plans, administering timber sales, improving wildlife habitat, treating introduced invasive plants, and other activities. Consulting foresters work on behalf of their clients, helping landowners achieve their goals. They may be self-employed or apart of a larger business.
Find a Consulting Forester in
Landowner Outreach and Technical Assistance
- List of Vermont County Foresters: Contact your County Forester for free site visits, guidance, and technical assistance
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): USDA program offering cost-share and financial support for forestry projects
- Audubon Vermont: Bird-friendly technical assistance for landowners
- 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 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