The Vermont Woodlands Association is turning 110—and we’re throwing a Forest Festival to celebrate! As a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping landowners and professionals care for Vermont’s privately owned forests, we believe good forest stewardship starts with knowledge, community, and fun. Whether you're a landowner, a forest enthusiast, or just looking for a great day outdoors with natural resource experts, this event is for you.

Join us for a full day of learning and celebration focused on forests, wildlife, and stewardship! Families are especially welcome—don’t miss our Family Woodland Adventure Walk with naturalist Adrienne Flowers, along with hands-on activities like scavenger hunts, forest art, and woodland exploration designed for kids and caregivers alike.

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Event Highlights

• Over 5 theme woods walks- offered as 9 presentations and repeated in the morning and afternoon, including a walk for families and kids! 
• Featuring regional natural resource experts like, Ethan Tapper, author of How to Love a Forest, among other natural resource experts from across Vermont, including partnering organizations like Audubon Vermont, Forest Stewards Guild, UVM Extension, VT Coverts, Vermont Land Trust, VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation, and VT Fish & Wildlife
• Family-Friendly Activities — Fun, engaging and educational activities for all ages
• Enjoy a cookout style lunch, included with your registration.
• Live music from the Seven Stars Community Fiddle Band, led by Emerson Gale
• Silent Auction — Bid on woodland-inspired items and support our work to promote healthy forests through responsible, thoughtful stewardship
• Exhibits & Displays — Learn more about forest stewardship and conservation programs
• Continuing Education Credits — 4.5 CEUs available for forestry professionals

Registration Information

Pre-registration is required! Kids under 16 are free (but please let us know they are coming when you register).

Registration fee:

•  Adult Registration: $40 per person
• Family Registration (or anyone bringing kids!): $30 for one adult; $50 for two adults 
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Event Agenda

8:30 am Arrive, Check-in, Enjoy Refreshments

9:00 -9:30 am Welcome, Logistics for the Day, Introductions

9:30 am- 11:30 am Morning Woods Walks

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Cookout, Live Band, Silent Auction and Birthday Celebration under the Tent

1:00 - 1:30 pm Reflections on 110 years of Forestry in Vermont

1:30 - 3:30 pm Afternoon Woods Walks

3:30 - 4:00 pm Closing Remarks, Silent Auction Drawing Winners

Woods Walk Themes and Speakers

Event attendees will have the opportunity to choose two (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) of the following paired, themed walks!

Walk #1: Sustainable Management

Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation with Ethan Tapper consulting forester, author, content-creator and former County Forester.

Working Forest Tour with David Paganelli, landowner host, Tree Farmer, County Forester & Charlie Hancock, County Forester and former consulting forester.

Walk # 2: Women & Our the Woods (WOW Walk) Morning Only

Seeing the Forest through the Eyes of a Naturalist with Kathleen Stutzman, forester, naturalist and researcher, UVM, & Carolyn Loeb,  naturalist and Stowe Land Trust Program Manager

Forest Management 101 with Kathy Beland, forester, VT Tree Farm Program 

Walk # 2: Seeing the Forest Afternoon Only

Seeing the Forest through the Eyes of a Naturalist with Kathleen Stutzman, forester, naturalist and researcher, UVM & Carolyn Loeb, naturalist and Stowe Land Trust Program Manager

Forest Management 101 with Kathy Beland, forester, VT Tree Farm Program 

Walk #3: Managing for the Future

Adapting Forests to Global Change with Ali Kosiba, UVM Extension Asst. Professor of Forestry, and Josh Halman, VT FPR Forest Health Manager

Restoring Old-Growth Characteristics with Pieter van Loon, Vermont Land Trust and Keith Thompson, VT FPR

Walk #4: The Forest as a Home

Life in the Forest: Trees Matter, But This Is Also My Home with Judith Falk, landowner, host, farmer; Mark Raishart, County Forester, Tree Farmer, sugar maker and Catie Raishart, landowner, gardener, flower grower; Rich Chalmers, President VT Coverts.

Feathers & Fur: Enhancing Habitat for Wildlife with Steve Hagenbuch, Audubon Vermont, Tyler Brown, VT Fish & Wildlife

Walk #5: Family-Friendly Woodland Adventure

Kid and Family Friendly Forest Exploration with Adrienne Flowers—featuring stream splashing, flower art, nesting help for birds, and more!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Canopy Sponsor 

Sapling Sponsor

Seedling Sponsor