Join Women & Our Woods a full-day, hands-on Chainsaw Safety 101 course taught by two experienced female instructors and designed for anyone who uses—or plans to use a chainsaw around their property.
Stewardship
Because Healthy, Resilient, Productive Forests Don’t Happen by Chance
Vermont’s forests do more than define our landscape—they safeguard wildlife habitat, capture carbon, and support our way of life. Through active and informed stewardship, we can ensure these forests continue to thrive long into the future.
Helping You Care for the Woods You Love
Vermont’s forests are home to some of North America’s most iconic songbirds and provide essential habitats for a wide array of wildlife. But they’re more than habitats—they help combat climate change, improve water quality, and provide opportunities for recreation and sustainable timber harvests.
Your choices as a landowner can enhance biodiversity, improve forest health, and ensure your forest continues to thrive for generations to come. By managing your woodland thoughtfully, you contribute to Vermont’s ecological health while creating a lasting legacy for the future.
Getting Started with Woodland Management
Taking an active role in caring for your forest may feel like a big responsibility, but you’re not alone. Here are a few ways to begin:
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Get to Know Your Woods: Explore your land and observe its unique features: wildlife habitats, areas of growth, and opportunities for improvement.
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Identify Your Goals: Decide what you want your forest to achieve: timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, or a combination of values.
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Seek Professional Help: Work with forestry professionals to develop a tailored management plan that aligns with your goals.
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Participate in a Program: Engage in initiatives like the Vermont Tree Farm Program or attend workshops and woods walks to gain hands-on experience and connect with other landowners.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Being a steward of Vermont’s forests is a meaningful but complex journey. From balancing biodiversity and timber production to addressing challenges like invasive species or climate change, the path can feel overwhelming at times.
That’s why Vermont Woodlands Association—and the vibrant community of forest stewards we cultivate—is here to help. Together, we’ll guide you every step of the way, ensuring you have the resources, connections, and confidence to care for your forest.
Contact Us
Kate Forrer, Executive Director
(802) 214-4846
director@vermontwoodlands.org
Explore by Topics
Stewardship in Action
Meet the people caring for Vermont’s forests. Learn how they care for and manage their woods, and get inspired by their stories.
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.
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— Ann Wade: A Lifetime on the Land
Jock Irons stewards his family’s woodland in Woodford with a focus on wildlife and forest health, continuing a legacy of care. He built his home from the land and now works to control invasives and manage with conservation in mind.
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— Jock Irons" A Stewardship Journey Rooted in Family
Upcoming Events
Join us in North Bridgewater for a celebration and field tour at the Hawkes Tree Farm. The day will feature demonstrations of timber stand improvement, small-scale logging equipment, and stories of 50+ years of dedicated forest stewardship.