Chainsaws, Confidence, and Community: Women Gaining the Skills of Stewardship

On a beautiful September weekend, twenty women gathered in the wooded hills of Mendon — not for a hike or a woods walk through a recent harvest, but to talk chainsaws.

The weekend was part of Women and Our Woods Vermont, a collaborative initiative that helps women gain the confidence and knowledge to care for their own land. Day one focused on the basics of chainsaw safety — understanding the parts of a saw, the gear that keeps you safe, and the importance of body positioning. Day two went deeper: a skills lab where participants took apart a saw, discussed saw mechanics, and made some sawdust as they practiced techniques to solve the eternal issue of pinching a saw!

Many participants brought their own saws — some new, some inherited, some that hadn’t been started in years. Instructors patiently went over each one, explaining the safety features, quirks, and risks.

By the end of the weekend, participants didn’t just learn how to start and safely handle a saw — they left feeling empowered to take a more active role in caring for their woods. They spoke about being able to clear trails, block up downed trees for firewood, or safely cut up a tree that had fallen across the driveway — the kinds of small but essential tasks that make up the daily work of stewardship.

“I participated in both days, and I am so glad I did. I used to walk past a downed tree and think, ‘I’ll have to find someone to take care of that.’ This weekend gave me the knowledge and the confidence to take care of it myself,”

-Workshop Participant.

For Vermont Woodlands Association, that’s exactly what stewardship looks like — people gaining the confidence, skills, and sense of connection they need to care for their woods safely and responsibly. Our collaborative Women and Our Woods- Vermont  fills an important gap for women landowners who want to be more hands-on in their woodland management but haven’t always had the training or support to get started.

As the forest begins to settle into its autumn rhythm, this chainsaw weekend reminded us that learning new skills is part of the spirit of stewardship — and that when we equip landowners with knowledge and confidence, the impact reaches far beyond a single weekend — or a single downed tree.

Programs like this are made possible through the support of Vermont Woodlands Association members, our WOW- VT partners and a grant from the USDA Forest Service. Learn more about Women and Our Woods