Ann Wade

A Lifetime on the Land

For nearly 70 years, Ann Wade’s family has cared for their 127-acre woodland in Washington, Vermont. The land is rich with history, from early 1800s settlement and sheep farming days to its decades as a family retreat and working forest. Today, Ann is focused on ensuring the land remains healthy, intact, and a place where others can connect with nature.

Finding Community

Ann’s connection to Vermont Woodlands Association (VWA) began through her parents, who joined over 30 years ago. When Ann took over management of the land, VWA became a key resource, helping her:

Navigate stewardship challenges
Learn from other landowners
Build a plan for the future

Her involvement deepened in 2011, and she has since participated in woods walks, workshops, and Tree Farm events. She found the land succession workshops particularly valuable, helping her family make informed decisions about the future of the land after her mother’s passing in 2015.

Through VWA, Ann has built relationships with foresters, conservation professionals, and other woodland owners.

“Managing land is rewarding, but it can also be isolating. Being part of VWA connects you to people who understand the challenges and joys of stewardship.”

Working the Land

Ann's approach to land management is rooted in respect for nature and patience—values that align with VWA’s mission of conservation through stewardship. Her property is enrolled in Current Use and the Tree Farm program, with a focus on:

Wildlife habitat
Invasive species management
Maintaining healthy forests

Key Projects on Her Land:

Restoring a former red pine plantation – After a 2009 clear-cut, Ann let the land regenerate naturally, encouraging the growth of wild apple trees and hazelnut bushes.
Managing invasive species – She works to control chervil, ground covers, and aggressive shrubs, a constant challenge she shares with many fellow VWA members.
Harvesting firewood & maintaining trails – Balancing sustainable use with habitat conservation.

Her philosophy is simple: “Do no harm.” As a former nurse, she takes a thoughtful, slow approach to management, observing how the land responds before making big changes.

Support, Collaboration & Looking Ahead

Ann knows that caring for a forest is never a one-person job. She has relied on consulting foresters, the NRCS, Vermont Coverts, and VWA to guide her management decisions. After her longtime forester retired, she turned to VWA connections to help find the right fit for her next forestry partner.

Looking ahead, she envisions: