A New Chapter for LEAP: Strengthening Vermont’s Logging & Forestry Community

Dear VT LEAP Members and VWA Members and Supporters,

On behalf of Vermont Woodlands Association (VWA) and Vermont Loggers Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP), we are excited to share an important update.

As many of you know, VWA and LEAP have always shared a common goal—supporting responsible forest stewardship and the professionals who implement the practices that keep our forests healthy, productive, and resilient. With the upcoming retirement of David Birdsall as Executive Director of LEAP, VWA and LEAP are working to bring LEAP under the VWA umbrella as a continued program

What This Means for LEAP:

Under this new model:

• LEAP will continue to offer the high-quality training and educational programs that Vermont’s loggers rely on.
• A new LEAP Program Administrator will be hired in the coming months to support the transition and lead the implementation of LEAP programs this spring.
• The mission and purpose of LEAP remain unchanged, although there may be some changes in structure.

To ensure continuity and effective program delivery:

• LEAP will be managed by an Advisory Committee, composed of David Birdsall and many of the same experienced individuals currently serving on LEAP’s board.
• Their insight and leadership will help shape LEAP’s future and ensure it continues to meet the needs of Vermont’s logging community.

Stronger Together

Bringing VWA and LEAP under one roof will better support Vermont’s forest stewards, landowners, forestry professionals, and loggers and strengthen our collective commitment to forest stewardship and professionalism.

We are excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to continue supporting Vermont’s woodland community together.

Sincerely,

Kate Forrer, VWA Executive Director

Allan Thompson, President, VWA

David Birdsall, VT LEAP Executive Director

Dan Wood, President, VT LEAP