Wildlife Ecology and Forest Management at the Andrews Community Forest (webinar)

Join Ethan Tapper, Chittenden County Forester, and Andrea Shortsleeve, Wildlife Biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife, for a virtual presentation on Vermont’s wildlife, wildlife ecology, and forest management. This presentation focused on the Andrews Community Forest (ACF), a public, conserved property owned by the Town of Richmond, and how an upcoming forest management project on this property is expected to influence wildlife habitat and behavior. This event is co-sponsored by Vermont Coverts and the Richmond Free Library.

Andrea discussed how the Andrews Community Forest fits into the larger forested landscape, and how wildlife uses these conserved forest blocks to move through the state. She covered habitats, unique features found on the property, and how the proper management of those features can benefit wildlife — from bumblebees and salamanders to black bear and wild turkeys.

Ethan discussed the forest management project at the ACF starting this summer/early-fall. This project has the goals of increasing the health, diversity, and resilience of forests on the property and demonstrating responsible, ecological forest management. Ethan is particularly interested in how we can manage forests for greater complexity, and how active management can help Vermont’s relatively young forests be more like old forest.

This event is one of a series of virtual events and learning opportunities designed to help the public engage and learn about this work in the midst of the pandemic. You can learn more about these learning opportunities by emailing Ethan at ethan.tapper@vermont.gov, signing up for his mailing list, or staying tuned to the Andrews Community Forest playlist on the Chittenden County Forester YouTube Channel.

The Andrews Community Forest is a 428-acre conserved property owned and managed by the Town of Richmond since 2018. Click here to read the Forest Management Plan for the property.