Vermont’s forest are facing an unprecedented threat. The demographics of our woodland owners is changing in important ways, with significant implications for the size and integrity of our forests. The number of landowners is increasing, the size of the parcels is decreasing, and the age of owners is increasing. As a result, for the first time in our land use history, we are losing forest. Not to conversion for agricultural, as we experienced in the 1800's, but to development and parcelization. Conservation offers one tool to help keep Vermont’s forests forested. Whether you are interested in protecting your forest through succession planning or in protecting forestland owned by a municipality, there are resource available to assist you.
Discover more about forest conservation:
Learn how a conservation easement can protect your woods, or a special forest in your community. Checkout Vermont Land Trust's Conservation Options to learn more about approaches to land conservation and tools available to assist you.
Learn more about estate planning. Checkout Ties to the Land: Succession Planning Workshops, Keeping Forests for the Future from Vermont Natural Resource Council and Conserving Your Woodlot from Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation
Learn more about regional initiatives to protect large tracts of Vermont’s forest through the Forest Legacy Program