As directed by Act 183 of 2022 (PDF), the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) created the Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap to assess the current state of Vermont’s forest economy and to identify opportunities to strengthen, modernize, promote, and protect the forest products sector into the future.
Published in January 2024, the Roadmap represents the collective commitment of Vermonters to our state’s working forests. We depend on our forests to protect the environment, support biodiversity, sustain our economy, and provide us with a range of forest products. From providing essentials like building materials, furniture, and heat, to supporting a growing outdoor recreation sector, forest products are woven into the fabric of Vermont life.
The Roadmap was developed with input from parties representing diverse users of Vermont’s forests. This intentional engagement provided an opportunity for stakeholders to take a deep dive into the future of the Vermont forest economy through a transparent planning process and helped to build a robust strategic plan that reflects the aspirations of the industry and stakeholders.
What is the Forest Future Strategic Roadmap?
The Forest Future Strategic Roadmap is a 10-year strategic plan to protect the long-term viability of forest-based businesses and the many benefits they provide to our state’s environment, economy, and quality of life. Development of the Roadmap began in November 2022 and concluded in March 2024 with the release of the Strategic Roadmap Final Report (PDF).
The Roadmap is a forward-looking, comprehensive planning document that reflects the complexities of today’s world and addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont’s forest economy. The development process involved a variety of voices and perspectives, collectively focused on growing a strong forest products sector and a prosperous forest economy that embraces the wide range of values benefits that our forests provide.
Additional information on the Roadmap development process can be found on the Background of the Forest Future Strategic Roadmap page.
Implementation of the Roadmap
As a 10-year strategic plan, the Roadmap contains 30 recommended actions that require both a multi-stakeholder approach to implementation and a long-term plan for action. The Advisory Panel identified several short-term, high-priority actions that will help build long-term traction and address acute challenges. These short-term, high-priority actions will be the focus of our collaborative efforts over the first few years of implementation.
Implementation Steering Committee
In April 2024, the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation created the Implementation Steering Committee to act as a continuation of the Roadmap Advisory Panel and to provide direct advice and input to the Commissioner, the Legislature, and partners on the implementation of the Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap.
View list of Implementation Steering Committee Members
Additional Resources
- Act 183 of 2022 (PDF) (pages 61-68): An act relating to economic and workforce development
- Forest Economy Resource Library
- Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap Reports
For more information, contact:
Katharine Servidio (email link), Forest Economy Program Manager
Tel: 802-636-7804