Stewardship Tips: Getting Started in Woodland Stewardship

Owning a piece of Vermont’s forested landscape is both a privilege and a responsibility. Whether your woodland has been in your family for generations or you’ve just purchased your first few acres, you’re now part of a long tradition of stewardship that sustains our forests—and the many values they provide—for generations to come.

If you're not sure where to begin, you’re not alone. Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey as a woodland steward.

1. Spend Time in Your Woods

Get to know your land before making any major decisions. Walk in every season, at different times of day. Notice the trees, the light, the water, and the wildlife. The more time you spend, the more you'll see—and the more questions you’ll start to ask.

2. Identify What’s Important to You and Your Family

What do you love most about your land? Is it the peace and quiet? Wildlife? Firewood? Family traditions? Understanding what matters to you—and what you hope to protect or improve—will help guide your decisions and shape your goals for the future.

3. Make Some Woodland Goals

Do you want to improve wildlife habitat? Manage for maple production? Create hiking trails? Making even a short list of goals can help you and your forester make a plan that fits your values and vision.

4. Learn 10 Common Trees on Your Land

Start with what’s most visible. Can you tell a sugar maple from a red maple? A red oak from a white? Tree ID builds your connection to the land and helps you understand your forest’s makeup. The more you learn, the more the forest comes alive.

5. Contact Your County Forester for a Free Site Visit

Vermont’s county foresters offer free, on-the-ground support to landowners. They can walk your land with you, answer questions, and help you think about next steps. This is one of the best ways to get expert eyes on your woods early on. Find your county forester here.

6. Explore Vermont’s Current Use Program

If your property is 25 acres or more, you may be eligible for the Use Value Appraisal Program (also called “Current Use”), which can reduce your property taxes. Enrollment requires a forest management plan—another reason to talk with a forester early.

7. Start Small

Don’t feel pressure to tackle everything at once. Begin with simple, satisfying projects—like clearing a trail, pruning apple trees, or removing invasive species. Stewardship is a long game.

8. Document What You Learn

Start a simple map or woodland journal to record tree types, seasonal changes, wildlife sightings, or management ideas. This helps you track your observations and deepens your relationship with your land.

9. Think Long-Term

Forests grow over decades and centuries. One of the most important things you can do is begin thinking about the long-term future of your woods—what you want them to become, and who will care for them after you. Our Legacy Planning Workbook is a great tool to help guide those conversations (get a free copy—just pay shipping—through our Woodland Store).

10. Join Our Community of Woodland Stewards

You’re not alone. Vermont Woodlands Association offers programs, resources, and connections to help you care for your land with confidence and purpose. Becoming a member is a great way to stay informed and connected.