Micro-scale Forest Management at the Maple Shade Town Forest

Saturday, February 17
1:00 – 3:00 PM

Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, for a walk of a "micro-scale" forest management project at the Maple Shade Town Forest in Westford. We will visit the project and talk about forests, forest ecology, natural history, and how to manage forests for wildlife, birds, carbon and climate change, old-growth characteristics and more!

This event is free and open to all. To join, just show up! Meet at 1:00 PM at the Westford School on Brookside Road in Westford, ~ 1 mile south of the intersection with VT-128. Be dressed for the weather and ready to walk on slippery and uneven surfaces.  Email ethan.tapper@vermont.gov with questions. 

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release – February 12, 2024

Contact:
Steve Gomez, Policy and Special Projects Manager
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
steve.gomez@vermont.gov, 802-498-7269

Vermont State Parks 100th Year Anniversary Kick-Off

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation will host a kick-off celebration of its 100th year anniversary on February 15, 2024.

WHO: 

Secretary Julie Moore, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Commissioner Danielle Fitzko, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Nate Mckeen, Director of State Parks, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Sarah Winters, Executive Director, Vermont Parks Forever
Representative Tristan Roberts
Representative Bobby Farlice-Rubio

WHEN: Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

WHERE: The Cedar Creek Room at the Vermont State House, 115 State St., Montpelier, Vermont 05633

AGENDA:  Below is an agenda for the event.

3:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Meet and greet with Vermont State Park’s staff
3:30 PM to 4:00 PM – Speeches and stories
4:00 PM to 4:30 PM – Proclamation

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Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Conference

Twelve workshops will be offered to enhance technical skills, discuss relevant topics in urban forestry, and network with professionals.

The conference also celebrates Vermont's Arbor Day with a proclamation and recognition of Vermont Tree Stewards Awards and Tree City, Tree Line, and Tree Campus designations.

Registration will be available March 1, 2024.

Environmental Leadership Training, Unit 1: From Science to Planning, Community Wildlife Program

This training will introduce participants to important scientific concepts involved in planning for natural resources and focus on skills leaders need to operate effectively. Participants will explore the full suite of issues at play in natural resources planning, from forests and wildlife to floodplains and climate change. Presentations on context, ecological scale, and planning for whole Communities are interspersed with interactive hands-on activities that make this an intensive and exciting training.

Instructors: 

• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Joanne Garton, Technical Assistance Coordinator for the Urban & Community Forestry Program of  the VT | Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

Note: This is a 3-session training course. You must sign up for all three sessions if you wish to take this class and receive the certificate.

• Session 1: Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
• Session 2: Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
• Session 3: Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

To register, contact david.moroney@vermont.gov

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program hosts a one-day conference in honor of the hardworking professionals and stewards that care for our community trees. Workshops are offered to enhance technical skills, discuss relevant topics, and network with professionals and community leaders. This event was formally known as the Arbor Day Conference. Registration will be available on March 1st.

Learn more here!