Legacy Planning for Foresters- A Webinar Series on succession & estate planning for forestry professionals
The decisions forest landowners are making regarding the future ownership and use of their land will shape the benefits our forests will provide in the future (or not!). As trusted resources, forestry professionals play a critical role in answering client questions, offering guidance and support, and helping landowners think through long-term plans for their forests.
By covering a range of topics and featuring professionals involved in the legacy planning process, this webinar series is designed to provide forestry professionals with the information, resources, and support needed to help Vermont’s (and beyond) private forest landowners make informed decisions about the future of their forests.
All webinars are approved for CEUs.
This series is hosted by Vermont Woodlands Association with funding from Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
Legacy Planning 101
Thursday, February 5 | 3:00–4:00 pm NEW DATE
Presenter: Paul Catanzaro, UMASS Extension Forester
We're kicking off the series with an opening webinar that explores the foundational role foresters can play in estate and succession planning. Paul Catanzaro will discuss how foresters help landowners clarify long-term goals for their woods, connect forest management plans to legacy planning conversations, and serve as trusted partners during periods of ownership transition. Designed specifically for consulting foresters, this session provides practical insight into supporting landowners as they think about the future of their land, while reinforcing the connection between estate planning and long-term forest stewardship.
Legacy and succession questions often come up in the course of working with landowners, even when foresters are not expected or asked to be directly involved in family decision-making. This webinar focuses on how consulting foresters can navigate these conversations professionally and appropriately, while staying within their role.
Navigating Legacy Planning Conversations as a Forester
Tuesday, March 10 | 3:00–4:00 pm
Presenter: Liza Walker, Program Manager and Mediator, Environmental Mediation Center
Legacy and succession questions often come up in the course of working with landowners, even when foresters are not expected or asked to be directly involved in family decision-making. This webinar focuses on how consulting foresters can navigate these conversations professionally and appropriately, while staying within their role.
The session will explore communication strategies, setting and maintaining boundaries, and recognizing when to refer landowners to other professionals. Participants will gain practical tools for responding to common questions, managing situations where family dynamics affect stewardship decisions, and supporting landowners without getting pulled into conflict. This webinar is designed to support foresters in handling real-world situations with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.
Legacy Planning Tools and Options
April TBD
Presenters: Pieter van Loon, Vermont Land Trust; Estate planning attorney (TBD)
Legacy and succession planning shape what happens on private forestland for decades to come. Management plans, stewardship goals, and conservation outcomes all depend on decisions about ownership, control, and transfer. For forestry professionals, understanding the tools that support these decisions is essential to helping landowners turn long-term intentions into lasting outcomes. This webinar offers foresters a practical overview of the legacy planning tools and ownership options most commonly encountered in work with forest landowners. Topics include conservation easements, conservation-based estate planning approaches, and an introduction to legal ownership structures, including both direct and indirect ownership models. The session will explore the benefits, limitations, and tradeoffs of each option, with a focus on how these tools intersect with forest management, landowner priorities, and long-term stewardship goals. Designed specifically for consulting foresters, this webinar will strengthen your ability to support landowners through succession and legacy planning while reinforcing the forester’s role as a trusted, long-term advisor.