Membership Newsletter: Spring 2017

Membership Newsletter VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION A N D V E R M O N T T R E E FA R M P R O G R A M Vol. 13, No. 2

June 2017

Proud Sponsor of the American Tree Farm System in Vermont

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VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

TABLE OF CONTENTS Vermont Woodlands Association 2017 Officers and Directors OFFICERS Putnam W. Blodgett, President, Hanover, NH Mark Doty, Vice President, Madison, ME Trevor Evans, Treasurer, Newport, VT Marli Rabinowitz, Secretary, Guilford, VT Alan M. Robertson, Secretary, Sheffield, VT

DIRECTORS John Buck, Waterbury Center, VT Caitlin Cusack, Richmond, VT Jamey Fidel, Montpelier, VT Steve Handfield, Poultney, VT Leo Laferriere, Waitsfield, VT David Paganelli, So. Strafford, VT William Sayre, Bristol, VT Allan Thompson, Waterbury, VT David Wilcox, Berlin, VT Stephen Webster, Randolph, VT Keith Thompson, Advisor, VT Forests, Parks & Rec

Our Makeover..................................................................................Page 3 Forestry Issues in Legislature..................................................Page 5 White-Throated Sparrow...........................................................Page 6 Watch-list, Spindle Tree..............................................................Page 7 A New Path for Private Lands..................................................Page 8 Tree Farm Committee News......................................................Page 9 Sharing Nature with Children............................................... Page 10 Star Date 4.28.17......................................................................... Page 11 Standards Review....................................................................... Page 10 Welcome.......................................................................................... Page 12 Calendar of Events..................................................................... Page 12 Wildlife Oasis................................................................................ Page 13

2017 Advertising Rates: (per year): member/non-member Business Card: $150/$180 • 3.625” wide x 2” tall 1/4 Page: $225/$325 • 3.625” wide x 4.4” tall 1/2 Page: $390/$530 • 7.5” wide x 4.4” tall Full Page Insert: $225/$285 • 7.5” wide x 9” tall Additional charges for graphic design and printing, if needed.

Membership Newsletter is published four times a year.

Send camera-ready ads and payment to VWA, PO Box 6004, Rutland, VT 05702 kmwanner@vermontwoodlands.org

Mission Statements:

Vermont Tree Farm Committee Members Alan Robertson, Co-Chair, Tree Farmer, Sheffield, VT Kathy Beland, Co-Chair, Forester, Clarendon, VT Jayson Benoit, Forester, E. Charleston, VT Richard Bizzozero, Tree Farmer, Brookfield, VT Robert Cowles, Derby, VT Jock Irons, Woodford, VT Ryan Kilborn, Forester, W. Topsham, VT Ian Martin, Forester, Newfane, VT Kyle Mason, Bennington County Forester Rebecca Roy, Project Learning Tree Coordinator Mary Sisock, UVM Extension Forester Allen Yale, Tree Farmer, Derby, VT

Program Administrator Kathleen Wanner, Rutland, VT

Vermont Woodlands Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to advocate for the management, sustainability, perpetuation, and enjoyment of forests through the practice of excellent forestry that employs highly integrated management practices that protect and enhance both the tangible and intangible values of forests - including clean air and water, forest products, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, recreation, scenic beauty, and other resources - for this and future generations. VWA objectives are to communicate the benefits of working forests, recognize exemplary actions of woodland owners and managers, provide educational opportunities, and represent its membership before governmental bodies.

The American Tree Farm System, first organized in 1941, is the Nation's oldest certifier of privately owned forestland. Tree Farm members share a unique commitment to protecting watersheds and wildlife habitat, conserving soil, and providing recreation; and at the same time producing wood products on a sustainable basis. The Vermont Woodlands Association strives to educate, train, and support private forest landowners in sound management practices concerning wildlife, water, wood, and recreation. We do this by managing and enhancing the American Tree Farm System® Program in Vermont.

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NEWS FROM VWA

Our 2017 Makeover Welcome to the first issue of our combined VT Woodlands Association and VT Tree Farm Program newsletter.

You may ask why we combined our two publications and that would be a fair question since not all of you are VWA members and Tree Farmers.

However, we believe that the content of both newsletters is of interest to everyone who cares about our working woodlands. We actually do see this

by Kathleen Wanner, Executive Director

as an improved service to both VWA members and Tree Farmers.

We have about 850 VWA memberships (~1100 members) and about 500 certified tree farms, with a fairly sizeable intersection of landowners.

The VWA board and the Tree Farm committee approved this merger, anticipating that it would be more time and cost efficient while serving both audiences. Further, it may also

encourage some who are involved with either VWA and Tree Farm to consider learning more about the benefits of another organization. Some articles in the newsletter will be tree farm focused; others will be VWA focused. We hope all will be of interest to every woodland owner. We welcome your feedback on the new format. We also welcome articles from our members and tree farmers.

2017 Annual Meeting, a memorable gathering VWA’s 2017 annual meeting held on April 8th at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph had nearly record attendance with 120 people present. I say “nearly” because I haven’t been around since 1915 when our predecessor, VT Timberland Owners Association, would have held its first meeting. For my tenure, which spans about 15 years, it was a record crowd. Not only did we have a stellar line up of speakers but I believe that we continue to grow into our “better selves” each year. That growth is fueled by you, our members, who help us with your participation and financial support.

Our day normally begins with a presentation by Commissioner Mike Snyder and State Forester Steve Sinclair.

This year, the always engaging duo was joined by Deputy Commissioner Sam Lincoln and the three of them tag-teamed to present a very important briefing on forestry issues in the legislature. Put Blodgett’s article details

The trio of State Forester Steve Sinclair, Commissioner Michael Snyder, and Deputy Commissioner Sam Lincoln tag-team a host of important issues.

all the bills and their status so I won’t go into detail here. I will say that VWA as well as other forestry-based organizations benefitted greatly from Sam’s appointment as deputy and his presence in the statehouse. For me, it speaks to the recognition of the importance of forestry to the state. As a logging contractor himself, Sam speaks from experience on issues such as worker’s compensation, sales tax, and markets. If you receive and follow our legislative updates, you also know that Jane Clifford kept us all well informed throughout the session.

Following our legislative updates, we heard from Steve Sinclair about the new state-sponsored campaign, “Cut with Confidence,” a series of landowner guides for a successful timber harvest.

These guides are available in hard copy

or electronically on the web. (See page 10 for details.) Also available on the FPR website is the 2016 Forest Action Plan.

Paul Frederick, FPR’s Wood Utilization Forester, provided a very informative review of the recent changes in wood markets that Vermont is experiencing with an emphasis on the problems in both low and high quality markets.

Vermont has about 4.5 million acres of forestland that is 82% privately owned.

Just over 40% of eligible owners are enrolled in current use, representing almost 2 million acres. In the next five years, 57% intend to harvest so markets are a critical issue.

Next we heard from David Wilcox, FPR’s Watershed Forester, who gave us an excellent briefing on the new logging

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Action teams are currently being formed around these issues and there is a need for landowner participation.

Storyteller Bill Torrey regales us with his tales of growing up in Vermont and working in the woods.

Acceptable Management Practices (AMP) rules and the manual that will be coming out soon. This replaces the little “orange” book that was last printed about two decades ago. The changes that affect forestry are driven by Lake Champlain clean-up and the state’s water quality issues. We also heard from Allison Compagna about the Lake Champlain Regional Conservation Partnership Program, a grant program that can help landowners in the Lake Champlain basin with conservation practices to improve water quality. If your land is in the basin, you can get more information from either Dave or Allison (email firstname. lastname@vermont.gov).

When the Working Lands Enterprise Board launched its economic systems analysis of the forest products sector, it was understood that this study was not to sit on a shelf but rather have “actionable” outcomes. It succeeded. Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director for the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, was on hand to explain her new position and the efforts underway to address value chain issues that rose to the top from the systems analysis.

The membership meeting was held next (see callout box for results) followed by an outstanding Vermont roast turkey luncheon with all the trimmings. The E.D. report highlighted the strategic planning session held in September, the new part-time executive assistant Silvia Cassano, the work of our new committees, accomplishments of the Working Lands Enterprise Board, advocacy efforts at the state and federal level (taxes, Timber Innovation Act, etc.), partnership building, and many educational activities co-sponsored by VWA. It was a moment to reflect and remember when Paul Harwood gave a moving presentation and slide show on John Hemenway, long time board member and two-time Vermont Tree Farmer of the Year who passed away in December.

When it came to stewardship, John set a very high bar. He was a friend, mentor, and inspiration to so many.

Alan Robertson took the stage to talk about the Tree Farm Committee’s progress with database cleanup, participation in the National Leadership Conference, maintaining communication with tree farmers, and advocacy efforts.

Kathy Beland reminded us that Tree Farm is successful due to the efforts of inspecting foresters and thanked them all for their efforts. She then announced the 50-year tree farm awards for: • David Lahar, Albany, VT (TF#202, 85 acres) • Leonard and MaryAnne Cadwallader, Wallingford (VT TF#210, 218 acres)

Paul Harwood offers a touching remembrance of John Hemenway (right above, with David Paganelli)

Craftsbury whose 360-acre Tree Farm is in Greensboro. The Stoners purchased the land in 1983 while still living in England. During David’s presentation, he gave much credit to his community and the local resources that helped transform his firewood hobby into a managed forest that has captured the hearts of three generations of his family. As David so eloquently said, “The granting of this award reminds me of the story that may be familiar to all of you. It is the walk in the woods when you pass a pond and notice a turtle sitting on top of a waist high tree stump. It is clear that the turtle did not get to that place all by itself.

Clearly the same is true for this award.

The Stoners will be hosting a Tree Farmer of the Year Tour on their property in Greensboro on Saturday, August 12th.

Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for additional information coming soon.

Bennington County Forester Kyle Mason was recognized as the 2017 Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. Kyle is a member of the tree farm committee and has been a key contributor to the program helping us complete inspections and but also tackle communications challenges.

Committee Co-chair Kathy Beland with 2017 Tree Farm Inspector of the Year Kyle Mason, Bennington County Forester

The 2017 Vermont Tree Farmers of the Year are David and Jenny Stoner of

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2017 Tree Farmers of the Year Dave and Jenny Stoner receive award. (L-R) Rick Morrill, Dawn Morgan, Ross Morgan, Put Blodgett, Dave Stoner, Jenny Stoner, Jared Nunery, Kathy Beland.

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Forestry Issues in the 2017 Legislature

Put Blodgett

By Put Blodgett, President I had hoped to write a definitive report on forestry issues in the 2017 legislative session, but the Legislature is to reconvene on May 10 and 11 and this column is due on May 8. The two days are to resolve the budget issue with the governor who has suggested that $26 million could be saved by having a statewide contract with teachers regarding medical coverage while some legislators feel that idea came too late in the session for proper evaluation and/or that local teachers and local school boards should negotiate medical coverage as part of overall compensation.

As bills stand 2 days before hoped-for adjournment: H.119—An act relating to the classification of employees and independent contractors. Still in House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and will be carried over to 2018.

H.137—An act to create a workers’ compensation premiums study. For instance, Vermont has a small number of logging contractors so that an accident causes a big effect on a small premium pool and results in high insurance rates. This is a burden on the declining number of logging contractors and forces many loggers to operate alone in the woods in a very dangerous occupation. Still in Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

H.148—An act to increase truck weights from 99,000 pounds to 107,000 pounds on Vermont highways to correspond to surrounding states. An example—VT trucks delivering wood to the pulp mill at Ticonderoga have an 8,000 pound handicap versus their NY trucking competitors. Still in Transportation Committee.

governments. In House Ag and Forestry Committee.

H.233—Purpose is to amend Act 250 to counter forest fragmentation and better protect forest blocks, wildlife habit and habit connectivity (both land and water). The bill states development “does not include the construction of improvements for farming, logging or forestry purposes below the elevation of 2,500 feet.” For years the Forest Roundtable has been studying the effects of forest fragmentation in Vermont and there is much agreement on the need for maintaining large forest blocks, both for economies of scale for timber harvesting and for wildlife. But there was concern expressed for adding this to Act 250, especially when that act is to be reviewed (see H.424) and it might be better to consider H.233 under the H.424 review. After lengthy debate by several committees, H.233 was passed by the House and will come up in the Senate next year. The Administration does not support it.

H.424—Act 250 has been in existence for 50 years and the legislature felt it was time to review and improve based on past experience and plan for the next 50 years. A committee of three members from both the House and Senate will be appointed and will have a large number of advisors, mainly made up of state officials and representatives from several state-wide organizations. A two-year study is planned. Passed by both House and Senate.

H.328—An act relating to the use of the herbicide glyphosate. Used by some for invasives control. Would prohibit its use by state agencies and municipal

H.374—Similar to H. 137, hence also in Commerce and Economic Development Committee. An act relating to cost of workers’ compensation in high-risk occupations and industries (such as logging).

H.461—An act relating to workers compensation. In House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development along with H.119, H.137, and H.374. It is proving extremely difficult to define employee, employer and independent contractor and protect all involved.

S.34—An act relating to cross-promoting development incentives and state policy goals. The thrust is to better coordinate governmental activities in rural areas.

A Rural Economic Development Team

PRESIDENT, continued on pg. 15

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NEWS FROM VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

White-throated Sparrow, Messenger of Renewal & Affirmation

by John Buck, Wildlife Biologist the brush pile farthest from me and out shot a second male sparrow. There were two after all and it was clear the second male was not welcome.

Photo by Douglas Racine

Oh! Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada. I knew in a second the White-throated Sparrows were back from their winter hiatus. I stopped for a moment from my task of pulling the last of my taps in hopes of confirming what my ears had told me. Poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody. There he was again! But not quite the same as the first call. Was it the same bird? Or, were there two? Or, had the first bird simply repositioned himself? Suddenly my eyes caught the flash of a little brown bird as it darted from one brush pile to a second nearby pile. Standing motionless only 20 feet away I watched as the bird stood prominently on top of the brush pile and opened its mouth to sing, Oh! Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada. There is a certain surrealness about watching such a tiny creature sing it’s notes with great clarity, precision, and on pitch every time. That is a feat my music friends work very hard to achieve yet this little bird does it with apparent ease. Then the sparrow darted back to

My sugarbush is of the Northern Hardwood forest type with some hemlock and fir mixed in on welldrained soil. This is not typical Whitethroated sparrow habitat. But being early in their migration from the southern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States it wouldn’t be unusual for them to be stopping in for a meal, a rest, and maybe a song or two. Once they settle in for the nesting season White-throated Sparrows seek out moist forest soils where conifers of varying ages dominate the cover type and are situated near small openings often having standing water. Beaver flowages and pockets of wind throw or insect damage are common forms of their habitat.

Photo from Visit Crane Lake blog

Females construct the nest on the ground or just from it but concealed on all sides, but one, by dense lateral and overhead cover. The nest material is largely small twigs and wood chips, coniferous needles, and leafy vegetation. She will then lay as many as 6 pale blue to greenish blue eggs with purplish-brown specks. Incubation is only about 2 weeks followed by another two weeks of chick rearing. With such a short reproduction period, it is not uncommon for White-throated Sparrows to foster a second brood.

Also, considering Vermont’s elevation differences White-throated Sparrow nest dates range widely. First eggs (initiation) have been documented from May 21 to July 22 with young in the nests as late as August 9. As for food, White-throated Sparrows are

Photo by D. Sillman, from Ecologist’s Notebook, Penn State University

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SPARROW, continued on pg. 15

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NEWS FROM VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS & RECREATION

Watch List Species Highlight: European Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus)

by Elizabeth Spinney, Invasive Plant Coordinator European spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus) is a member of the spindle tree family (Celastraceae), which includes species that are also invasive to North America like burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus).

Species within the spindle tree family are woody shrubs or woody vines, all which have brightly colored flesh (arils) around the seeds ranging from reds to oranges. These fruits appear on the European spindle tree in the late summer and early fall. White seeds coated in orange flesh and pink capsules distinguish this plant from other Euonymus species.

European spindle tree is on the watch list in Vermont, meaning the plant has invasive tendencies, but is not yet prohibited. This plant is also considered an early detection invasive species in

Vermont because there are scattered accounts of its spread in the state, but establishment is not thoroughly documented. Spindle tree originates from Asia and Europe, and is thought to have been brought to North America for traditional use, where the hard wood was used to create spindles for wool. In later years, it has become an ornamental landscaping plant. It is commonly found in floodplains, forest edges, early successional habitat, and disturbed areas, is known to grow in zones 4-7, and has been reported in the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and from the states of Maine to Wisconsin, down to Mississippi.

Photo: Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org. Euonymus europaeus has “pinstriped” bark.

This deciduous shrub can grow in almost full shade, can tolerate a variety of soils (except wet, poorly drained soils), and reach heights over 20’. The leaves are oppositely arranged, simple, and oval in shape, with small serrations along the edge. Mature plants tend towards a rounded branching habit.

The easiest time to spot European spindle tree is after fruiting occurs, in the late summer and early fall. These fruits have been documented to persist well into winter.

Photo: Elizabeth Spinney, VT FPR Euonymus europaeus has orange arils with pink capsules

SPINDLE TREE, continued on pg. 15

Photo: Robert Videki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org.

European spindle tree, deciduous shrub

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NEWS FROM VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS & RECREATION

A New Path for Input On Private Land Issues for Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

by Keith Thompson, Private Lands Program Manager Vermont’s Current Use program plays an important role in maintaining working forests by supporting good forest management and reducing the cost of owning forestland through equitable taxation. In doing so, it also helps to keep our water clean, maintain and develop important wildlife habitat, and jobs – it helps sustain the forests that so many Vermont jobs depend on – from the forest products industry to tourism. It doesn’t achieve all of this just by making forestland ownership more affordable, or just by holding landowners accountable to good management, though it does these things. The program also achieves this by supporting individual connections between landowners and foresters, wildlife biologists, loggers and others.

These relationships, in turn influence and make possible the management of 15,000 forestland parcels encompassing nearly 2,000,000 acres of enrolled land.

To support Current Use and other Department efforts related to private forestland, FPR Commissioner Michael Snyder, established the Private Lands Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on how to best support privately owned forests and its owners in Vermont. This committee is made up of consulting foresters and

private landowners, supported by staff from Forests, Parks and Recreation, and the Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Property Valuation and Review.

So where did this committee come from? Since the creation of the Current Use program in the early 80s, the staff of the Forestry Division have worked tirelessly to administer and adapt the forestland elements of this program, recognizing the evolution of logging and forestry professions, better considerations of ecological processes and new realities faced by private landowners. Through the hard work of many, including the county foresters, consulting foresters, the Tax department and a supportive Legislature, the program has become one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country.

However, the success of the program is not without its challenges. Continued growth of enrollment outpaces growth in staffing, and the administrative burden associated with it increasingly erodes the time available for county foresters to do some of their most important work - helping landowners in the woods. The challenges associated with this are well described in a 2016 report to the legislature entitled Report

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on County Forester Staffing and UVA Delivery.

In 2015, Commissioner Snyder and Forestry Division staff held listening sessions with consulting foresters in Rutland, Barre and St. Johnsbury to solicit input on issues related to forest management on private lands. It was a valuable opportunity to get feedback from a group of folks affected by the work of FPR, but it was clear that these sessions weren’t enough to move towards solutions.

As a result, in 2016, a working group made up of 11 consulting foresters met several times to identify issues of concern and develop a set of recommendations for the Commissioner of FPR on how to improve administration and outcomes of Current Use. Ultimately, nearly 50 recommendations were developed and submitted to the Commissioner to modernize and streamline the program. The recommendations cover many elements of Current Use from administrative to outreach and education elements. For example, recommendation 4B1 suggests

NEW PATH, continued on pg. 16

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NEWS FROM THE VERMONT TREE FARM COMMITTEE

by Alan Robertson, Co-chair VT Tree Farm Committee The Tree Farm Committee (TFC) has been busy this spring completing past efforts on several tasks. You’ve seen the news on our successful database cleanup effort, but now comes dealing with some of the results. The cleanup revealed a significant group of properties we had to place in the Pioneer status, and now TFC members are calling those owners to try to move them towards fully certified.

We are also reviewing a smaller list of decertified properties to see if there’s any hope of bringing them back into the fold.

The Tree Farm brochure is also under revision to better introduce and explain the program. It will be available at all VWA events very soon. If you have an event in your town you plan on attending and would like to help us get the word out please contact Bob Falkner at raisethebardesigns@gmail.com and we’ll send you some copies to be made available to the attending public.

VWA’s new executive assistant, Silvia Cassano, has been working diligently to update the Tree Farm website to make it clearer and more helpful to those considering joining. Much of the language hadn’t been completely updated since written in 2006 and there were several areas that needed clarification or were very out of date. Check it out.

It should give you a much more helpful understanding of the program and also has a much larger list of forestry publications you may find of interest.

One bit of history, highlighted in the website, recently came up in a policy statement from AFF and needs some explanation here. AFF’s policy statement

in one of their e- bulletins stated that foresters (inspectors) can’t charge for an “inspection” of a Tree Farm. Presumably, this means that a forester can’t charge for that portion of a service performed for a client. Here in Vermont, this is actually not entirely true. Many years ago, when Vermont went to a paid administrator, and a more forester-friendly policy towards payment of forester services, we were given permission by AFF to both charge Tree Farmers for the administrative support necessary to run the program, and allowing foresters to charge for their Tree Farm interactions with clients. Our web site has always said, “While the initial contact between a forester and a Tree Farmer may be free, or of nominal cost, time spent advising, educating, developing the management plan, or evaluating plan progress will obviously result in billable services.

Some foresters charge by the hour, and some have established fees based on specific services or acreages involved.”

That means it’s between the forester and the landowner as to what the forester is charging. If an inspection to remain certified in the Tree Farm program is something we require then the forester may charge the client for this work. It’s between the forester and the landowner.

There are several other actions, though, when an “inspection” may be necessary, such as our annual “required” inspections which affect 10- 20 Tree Farmers every year, and the PEFC thirdparty inspections which occur on about 20 properties every 3-5 years. Those inspections are partly reimbursed to the forester by AFF through VWA. We would hope that the forester would take

those reimbursements into consideration when considering any billing to the landowner.

Next, AFF has recently come out with the requirement for foresters and volunteers in the Tree Farm program to sign a “no harassment policy”. This came as somewhat of a surprise to many of us until we realized how late AFF was in having this as an organizational policy.

This is basically standard in virtually all companies and organizations in the US. Their effort wasn’t really ready for prime time although the language in the policy is very standard and shouldn’t trouble anyone. All foresters should read and sign the policy as soon as possible; at present there is no deadline and no program limitations for procrastinators.

Finally, VWA and the TFC have contracted with Raise the Bar Designs, Inc. (run by a past TFOY) to be able to embroider clothing with the VWA logo, or the ATFS (Tree Farm Sign) logo, and provide company or personal names embroidered on clothing. Raise the Bar has several lines of popular clothing or you can buy the clothing and have it shipped to Raise the Bar. Please contact Bob Falkner at raisethebardesigns@ gmail.com for details and costs.

Visit our website at www.vermonttreefarm.org for information on the Tree Farm program, workshop opportunities, forestry related programs for students and teachers, and much more.

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NEWS FROM PROJECT LEARNING TREE

Sharing Nature with Children Rebecca Roy, PLT Coordinator Do you feel inspired to share your woodland with young people in your community? If so, there are some wonderful tools available to you. Project Learning Tree (PLT), a conservation education program of the American Forest Foundation is available in Vermont. PLT’s high quality activity guides for students ages three through high school provide hands-on fun learning activities you can use out in the woods any time of year. Participate in a workshop demonstrating some of the activities, and exploring the guide, and you can take home a copy of the materials.

The main PLT guide has over 100 different activities you can easily share with children in grades kindergarten through eight the very next day.

Tomorrow's leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow's challenges, and we must adequately prepare our children for the future they will inherit. That requires a commitment to providing children with conservation education that helps them become the educated thoughtful leaders of tomorrow. You can help ensure the future care of our beautiful Vermont woodlands by sharing your woods with children in your community through PLT.

for information and to sign up for upcoming PLT workshops.

Email: rebecca.roy@vermont.gov Phone: 802-522-0780

For details about PLT, and the curriculum guides available, please visit: VermontPLT.org Contact Rebecca Roy, Vermont Project Learning Tree Coordinator

Information and Guidance to a Successful Timber Harvest Timber harvests come with a lot of questions–some answers you need to know, some you don't. To help you answer those important questions about your woods, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has created the Landowner Guides to a Successful Timber Harvest. They’re simple and concise guides that handle topics including: Overview of a timber harvest, Water, Wildlife, Economics, and Working with Foresters and Loggers. Download the series or just the booklets that pertain to you at VTCutwithConfidence.com.

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VERMONT TREE FARM INSPECTORS

Star Date 4.28.17 – The Next Generation

by Kathy Beland, Co-chair VT Tree Farm Committee and Inspector Trainer Though I don’t consider myself a “Trekkie,” I am sure that most of you who actually read my musings believe that I was glued to Star Trek reruns as a kid. Not so! We had minimal television, and definitely no color TV. And to really make us nuts, WTTR radio tower was behind my house and tuned in quite nicely on our television, with only country music. That was not something we wanted to listen to in the 1970s! Sorry, I digress. Still, I am always amused by the original Star Trek series.

Not so much the Next Generation, or what is the other one? Deep Space Nine?

I have no idea. Anyway, my point is that sometimes the original is the best, or just the one we remember the most, and for which we hold a special affinity.

It is easy to look wistfully back at something like that from our youth, even our adulthood, and think in the moment that you never want that time or that moment to change. But, change is always part of the journey, isn’t it? I have

worked as a forester in Vermont for 31 years, and have seen a lot of change. My first day on the job in Vermont, I spent on South Hill in Stockbridge, with Dick Rose. The changes that took place in his lifetime are really mind boggling, and the technology alone is overwhelming.

Part of what made him who he was, and what makes a lot of Tree Farmers, who they are, is that they have a vision INSPECTOR’S LOG, continued on pg. 18

Vermont Tree Farm Standards Review Standard #2-Making Sure You Comply with the Law The American Tree Farm System program has 8 standards that serve as the foundation for its certification, which is recognized by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the world’s largest forest certification program. These standards help guide landowners towards long term sustainable forestry. Because it is the responsibility of the landowner to make sure these standards are met, we will review these standards over the next several issues. In this issue, we discuss Standard 2: Compliance with Laws Forest-management activities comply with all relevant federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.

There are good practices and voluntary harvesting guidelines which can be found at http://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/ your_woods/VTCutWithConfidence, and then there are actual state and

federal laws that deal with forest management that range from water quality to herbicide applications. Tree Farm does not expect landowners to be fully rehearsed in all laws, but it is expected that landowners are working with professional individuals who are experts and may help navigate them through their legal requirements. Fortunately the Department of Vermont’s Forest, Parks, & Recreation have published a booklet that summarizes and outlines laws and regulations regarding timber harvesting. So not to reinvent the wheel, let me point you in the direction of this publication, “Timber Harvesting in Vermont-A Summary of Laws and Regulation” which can be found at http://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/ vermonts_forests/harvestinglaws.

General features are water quality, what can occur near a wetland, heavy cut

limitations, forest sustainability and land use, trucking regulations, labor laws, hazardous material, taxes, and business management/insurance. These are all issues that most timber sales must deal with and it would be well worth your time to learn some of these topics prior to engaging in harvesting.

One area of particular interest would be Vermont’s Acceptable Management Practices which just went through a new revision in the last year.

Some issues not covered in this booklet that would relate to many Vermonters are laws regarding Vermont’s Current Use Program, herbicide application for treating invasives, and Vermont’s regulations regarding rare and endangered species. Your consulting forester can help you with any questions regarding these topics or can point you in the right direction to find answers.

vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org |

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VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

TOURS, MEETINGS, & WORKSHOPS VERMONT TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR TOUR August 12, 2017 David & Jenny Stoner & Family 495 Hanks Hill Road, Greensboro, VT

VT FORESTRY BUILDING AT VERMONT STATE FAIR August 15-19, 2017 Rutland, VT

TOUR AT PFALZERWALD TREE FARM August 26, 2017 Sheffield, VT

VERMONT FOREST FESTIVAL September 23-24, 2017 M-B-R National Park and Billings Farm, Woodstock, VT

SAVE THE DATE: WALK IN THE WOODS WITH WEYERHAEUSER Saturday, Sept 16, 2017 Details TBA

TREE FARM COMMITTEE MEETINGS

9:30am to 1:00pm White River Junction (Location TBA) July 12, 2017 & October 4, 2017 Tree Farmers and inspectors are welcome to attend.

SAVE THE DATE: VWA 2018 ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, April 14, 2018 Vermont Technical College

VWA BOARD MEETINGS

Third Friday of each month 9am to noon VAST conference room (basement) Meetings are open and all members are welcome to attend.

Welcome new Tree Farmers It’s always a pleasure to welcome new woodland stewards to the ranks of our Vermont Tree Farm System. You join an elite group of about 500 landowners who share a passion for the land and a desire to leave it better than you found it. You have all met the Standards of Sustainability and now have the right and privilege to display the Tree Farm sign. Do so with pride. You’ve earned it.

If you do not have a Tree Farm sign, please contact the office. We love to see Tree Farm signs dotting the landscape and will gladly help you get yours.

1714 1715 1716 1717 1718 1719 1720

Jeffrey and Stephanie Paul, Bennington Barbara & Stanton Maloney, Westmore Charles Thompson, Andover Jonathan and Karyn Hartland, Chelsea Jackson Bell & Kristin Dawley, Putney Picz Road LLC, Rockingham Your name here….

The success of the Tree Farm program is totally dependent on a dedicated corps of inspectors who help us uphold the high standard of excellence. Many thanks to our inspectors who enrolled new Tree Farmers or completed reinspections for us in the last three months.

Alex Barrett Jayson Benoit Markus Bradley Wesley Everts

Luke Hardt Paul Harwood Ryan Kilborn Kyle Mason

David McMath Richard Root Dan Thompson Tucker Westenfeld

Welcome new VWA members As a membership organization, our strength is in numbers. When you join VWA you add your voice to ours in our mission to be The Voice for Healthy Forests.

We thank you for joining and welcome you to VWA. Our membership includes landowners, friends, and supports from 26 states in the US and Canada. Whether you live in Vermont full-time or part-time, we hope you will be an active member and take advantage of the many opportunities we offer to learn, network, and enjoy Vermont’s working woodlands.

Alan Baker, Shaftsbury, VT Adam Bruggeman, Hebron, CT Elizabeth Dronkert, Lyndonville, VT Peggy & Ken Farabaugh, Vernon, VT Gabriel Freitag, Brookfield, VT Lyza Gardner, Chester, VT Thomas Hodges, Bedford, MA Jock Irons, Woodford, VT

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Natalie Kitchel, St. Johnsbury, VT Robbin LaRue, Starksboro, VT Diane McKain, Northfield, VT Jeff & Brenda Miller, Hyde Park, VT Brian Sargent, Williamstown, VT Trevor Squirrell, Underhill Ctr, VT Bill & Karen Torrey, Jericho, VT

VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

NEWS FROM THE VERMONT CENTER FOR ECOSTUDIES

A Wildlife Oasis in the Fields

by Rosalind Renfrew and Cathryn Abbott Do you own a grassy field 10 acres or more in size? If so, you may have an opportunity and the support to provide needed habitat for imperiled wildlife.

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies is offering custom management advice to determine whether and how you can help imperiled grassland birds.

In the depths of the tall grasses of hayfields and meadows, there is more going on than meets the eye. Bobolinks, Savannah sparrows, and sometimes Eastern Meadowlarks vie for territory, patiently incubate eggs, and tenaciously attend to hungry young.

Despite their industrious attempts at passing along their genetic material, birds that nest in grasslands have been disappearing from the Northeast for decades. Bobolink numbers have declined dramatically, leaving half to one-fourth of the numbers that were here in 1970. Eastern Meadowlarks have blinked out of existence in much of their range, relegated to less than a handful of locations. These species are declining not only here, but across their breeding

Photo: Rick Bohn

range in the Midwest and Great Plains.

They need help wherever they can get it.

Outright loss of grass habitats and changing agricultural practices have made it increasingly difficult for grassland birds to produce offspring.

In this region, abandoned agricultural lands have reverted to the forest that originally dominated the landscape, a positive trend for historically abundant forest species. Naturally, grassland bird numbers decline in this scenario, an acceptable loss associated with reforestation. Our productive soils (and people) and our love of pastoral landscapes, however, probably mean that at least some open lands are here to stay. As long as those grasslands persist, we can make the most of them by employing practices, when possible, that allow birds to reproduce successfully.

Grassland birds are ground nesters that depend on large, open areas and prefer open viewsheds. They tend to avoid nesting near field edges, making circular or square fields more suitable than long, narrow fields. Iconic grassland species such as the Bobolink, with its bubbly R2-D2-like flight song and backwardstuxedo breeding plumage, thrive on lush hayfields dominated by grass, with some forbs mixed in.

Healthy grasslands require active management, and herein lies a catch-22 for the birds. The field must be cut in order to remain a field but the machinery poses a life-threatening

Photo: Brett Forsyth

challenge to nesting birds. Moreover, productive hayfields require multiple cuts during the growing season, leaving too little time for birds to carry out the complete nesting cycle needed to raise young. For the birds, successful reproduction in hayfields is all about timing.

Bobolinks return from their 6,000-mile migration from their South America wintering grounds in early May. Males reach New England first to establish their territories and females join them a week later. Mate pairing and nest

OASIS, continued on pg. 17

Photo: Charles Gangas

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VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

NEWS FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN FOREST PARTNERSHIP On May 10, the North American Forest Partnership launched ‘Walk in the Woods,’ a communications program to engage the public in conversation about forests, the future of forests, and the social, economic, and environmental benefits they create.

NAFP includes more than 110 members who represent all segments of the forest sector and who are united by a shared ethic of forest stewardship. We work with members to align and amplify the diverse voices of the forest sector, celebrating their stories and hosting conversations that will help shape the future of forests.

NAFP is inviting those outside our sector to learn more about our diverse roles as responsible, innovative stewards of North America’s many different forests. We will provide straight answers to the public’s questions about what we do and why we do it.

conservation, and sustainability…

A story about the opportunities, challenges and choices landowners and society face in deciding the future of the many different forests in North America.

To learn more, check out the Walk in the Woods website (http://www. walkinthewoodswith.us/), follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and become part of the conversation by sharing these stories.

Facebook: Interested in #forests and all they do for us? There’s a new program out there telling the story of North America’s forests. Check it out at @ WalkntheWoods

In addressing these questions, we’ll share a rich and fascinating story about forest ecosystems, forest products, forest communities, forest people, and keeping forests as forests; about the role trees play in maintaining our health; about water, wildlife, a healthy planet and a healthy economy; and about innovation, partnership, research, responsible management,

14 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm

Want to know more about the role #forests play in the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, products we enjoy, and how forests make our lives better? Check out @WalkntheWoods and www.walkinthewoodswith.us. #forestproud #forestsmatter Twitter: Interested in #forests & their many values? Check out @_WalknTheWoods to learn more. #forestproud #forestsmatter Curious about the role of #forests in your life? Check out @_WalkntheWoods & www. walkinthewoodswith.us #forestproud #forestsmatter

VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

PRESIDENT, continued from pg. 5 would be created “to promote and facilitate community economic development in the small towns and rural areas of the state.”

It would also exempt timber harvesting equipment from the sales tax, an exemption

that agricultural machinery already enjoys. A study of workers’ comp, forestry, logging and agriculture is to be reported by 11/15/17.

Different versions passed

by House and Senate and presently in conference committee. If time runs out

before agreement, then it will be back next year.

A.101—Called the Right to Practice Forestry, long advocated for, to match the existing Right to Practice Farming protecting that endeavor. The bill “proposes

to provide that certain forestry operations would not be subject to liability as a public or private nuisance”.

Still in Senate Judiciary Committee.

Put Blodgett, President Vermont Woodlands Assoc.

SPARROW, continued from pg. 6 able to eat a variety of types.

Their ability to eat insects, seeds, and fruits gives them an advantage over other more dietary specialists. It is one of the reasons you are likely to see them in a number of locations during migration including lawns and gardens (especially if there are bird feeders in the yard), fields, and even city parks.

Despite their widespread distribution in the state, White-throated Sparrow numbers have been steadily declining. Recent estimates report a decrease of more than 4 percent per year since 1989 (Vermont Forest Bird Monitoring Project).

This may be the result of a maturing forest in Vermont that is slowly losing its diversity of tree ages (vis a

vis: height and associated low growing vegetation).

Although not good news for the sparrow, there is hope in the fact that Vermont is still a very forested state that can provide ample habitat for all the state’s native forest dwelling birds. Help people can provide to the sparrows often comes down to providing habitat. One of the most significant ways to do this is for forest landowners to manage their land as an intact parcel over time and to maintain its connection to neighboring forest lands.

In doing so each of us can play an important role in contributing to a reliant forest. One that recovers from insect outbreaks and damaging weather events. One that provides a sustainable source of income and employment

through the sale of timber, firewood, and maple syrup. And, one that provides a continuous home for the Whitethroated Sparrow and the many cohabitating forest wildlife species.

With but just a few more taps to pull, I am treated to the increasingly distant sounds of Oh! Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada as the sparrow continues his journey to his summer territory in hopes of encountering the favor of a female sparrow. The marvel of bird migration reinforces my sense of renewal and affirmation of the goodness to be found in the Natural world.

SPINDLE TREE, continued from pg. 7 To learn more about European spindle tree and how to identify it, check out: GoBotany, New England Wildflower Society: gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/euonymus/europaeus/ Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health: tinyurl.com/y8gl8tfu Missouri Botanical Garden: tinyurl.com/y8wo7cok

vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org |

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VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

NEW PATH, continued from pg. 8 [creating] a policy and process to allow forest management plans and maps to be submitted electronically, while recommendation 3B1 which suggests that FPR Establish a program to welcome landowners to the [Current Use] program.

The recommendations were thoughtfully developed by the consulting foresters as they considered the realities faced by landowners, consulting foresters and FPR’s county foresters.

With few exceptions, the recommendations were received very well by

Commissioner Snyder and Director of Forests, Steve Sinclair. These recommendations seek to address difficulties and take advantage of opportunities to improve Current Use and its benefit to landowners.

But it has been recognized by the foresters and Department staff that the completion of this set of recommendations is only beginning of what FPR and the private sector see as a worthwhile long-term collaboration.

As a first step to establish a consistent and formal

opportunity for input from foresters and landowners, the Commissioner implemented the first recommendation: 1A1 Convene an Advisory Committee to take advantage of the expertise of consulting foresters and landowners in developing and reviewing [Current Use] standards and policies. The first meeting of this committee was held on May 2, 2017.

This group is in its infancy and while the responsibility and authority to establish and adopt forest management and

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plan standards for the UVA program still resides with the Commissioner, the process by which this happens, we think, will be improved through the input of this Private Lands Advisory Committee.

Developing an effective and coordinated means for direct and collaborative dialogue will only serve to enhance the UVA program and other elements of the important public-private relationship that enables Vermont’s forests to thrive as a critical environmental and economic resource.

VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

OASIS, continued from pg. 13 building ensues during the second half of May. June is the most critical period of nesting; females are incubating eggs and both parents are frantically feeding nestlings. By the Fourth of July the first nests are just beginning to fledge young, and more fledge as the month progresses. After fledging it takes another 7-10 days for young birds to develop the flight skills necessary to escape harvesting equipment.

Mowing during the critical nesting and fledging periods of June and the first half of July inevitably results in nest failure and bird mortality.

The most effective way a landowner can help grassland birds is to wait to cut until after most fledglings can escape mowing equipment.

An August 1 mow date ensures reproductive success and optimizes bird survival.

A second best option is if a first mowing occurs before Memorial Day weekend and a second mowing occurs in August. Under this scenario, however, not all birds will renest after the first mowing.

Other management practices that benefit grassland birds include: - Mow fields from the center outwards, or towards unmowed areas, to allow young birds to escape - Never mow at night - Reduce or eliminate broad

applications of fertilizers or pesticides during the breeding period - Pick up the grass every 1 to 3 years to promote regrowth and limit litter build-up - Reduce grazing in areas where birds are nesting

- Discourage invasive plants by mowing frequently around the field perimeter The Vermont Center for Ecostudies is dedicated to enhancing grassland bird habitat on private lands by offering free management

advice. They will tour your property with you and offer specific recommendations on how to best manage your open lands for grassland birds. Visit vtecostudies.org/ projects/grasslands or email grass-lands@vtecostudies.org for more information.

Growing Tomorrow's Forests Today® www.aboutsfi.org In Vermont, call William Driscoll, SFI Coordinator, at Associated Industries of Vermont, 802-223-3441.

Serving Vermont Woodland Owners Since 1968 Full Service Forestry Consulting & Surveying Firm Serving all 14 VT Counties

Use Value, Timber Sales, Recreation & Wildlife Management VT Licensed Forestry Staff (4), Licensed Surveyor & Licensed Real Estate Sales FSC Group Certified Manager & Certified Tree Farm Inspectors Timberland Transaction Services Newport, VT 802-334-8402 | Concord, NH 603-228-2020 |W. Stewartstown, NH 603-246-8800

www.landvest.com

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VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

INSPECTOR’S LOG, continued from pg. 11 for owning forestland and with that a legacy of stewardship in managing that land. Dick Rose, like most Tree Farmers, was all about applying the latest science, managing for multiple uses, improvement thinning that lead to harvesting high quality timber, improving the forest ecosystem, restoring water quality, recreation on his property, and also being a Tree Farmer. As he got older, transitioning to something else became necessary, and so he named his grandson to take over the helm. And although there is a special place in my heart for Dick, his grandson, Mark is a friend and working hard to continue his grandfather’s legacy. As for Star Trek, I always liked Kirk at the helm of the Starship Enterprise, just for tradition’s sake.

Picard? Not so much! And who was the other one?

Alas, change is sometimes necessary, and in order to remember- we might need to write it down.

With changes at the helm of Tree Farms, whether by sale of the land, death, or transfer, come requirements for change in the paperwork. Yes- there is always paperwork! These are a few of the triggers that can require you to submit changes for the ever evolving database, as well as how to address those changes!

You can also look this up in the document titledCompleting the Tree Farm Inspection Record. If you can’t locate it, let us know;

we will get it to you.

• Tree Farm changes ownership within the family (transfer, death, etc): Tree Farm remains certified with same number. Send change in ownership to administrative office or submit inspection 004 with new information, using notes section to document changes.

• Tree Farm changes ownership outside of family: Tree Farm must be decertified and re-enrolled under new ownership, if new landowners wish to remain in the program.

Submit an inspection 004 as an initial inspection for new tree farm. Include in notes the previous tree farm name and number as records can be linked.

New number will be assigned.

• Change in Tree Farm acreage: if contiguous acreage has been added or acreage has been sold (presuming 10 forested acres remain), submit change to administrative office or on inspection 004; if non-contiguous acreage has been added and tree farmer wishes to enroll new acreage, submit an initial inspection 004.

As Tree Farm Inspectors, part of your job is to make sure that all of the information that the committee has on file is accurate. Much of

this is really about engaging with the Tree Farmers on a regular basis. We all work with people that we may not have contact with for long periods of time. Even ones that we are in contact with regularly can spring changes on you out of the blue! With that in mind, Vermont does ask that Tree Farms be inspected every five years to maintain the integrity of the Tree Farm program with that line of communication on the ground by you! You are that line of communication with those Tree Farmers.

We all let that slip sometimes, I am as guilty as the next person with setting duties aside and procrastinating, or just prioritizing life and its responsibilities, and having Tree Farm at the bottom of the list! I mean really, did you sign the inspector application to fill out papers? I believe Dr. McCoy said it best when referring to beaming on and off the ship: “I signed aboard this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered back and forth across space by this gadget.”

Many of us signed on for Tree Farm because one landowner was enrolled, or a few. I am pretty sure that many of us also signed on to Tree Farm because we know that it is a quality stewardship program for forest landowners promoting its commitment to conservation of timber resources, watersheds, wildlife habitat, soil and providing recreation. We sure didn’t sign on to fill out a PDF online, or learn some other

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new APP for a smartphone, or iPad or whatever gadget you use to complete your 004.

However, it is part of your responsibility to do just that!

When you sign on as an inspector and complete your training, you commit to completing at least one inspection every two years.

This helps to maintain the integrity of the Tree Farm Program. The next time you are planning to complete work on a Tree Farm property, check the records to find out when the last inspection occurred. If it is prior to 2015, complete an inspection to ensure compliance with the 2015-2020 Standards. File it online, or use the 004 APP. Change and transitions are part of life. Sometimes we go kicking and screaming, sometimes we are able to move seamlessly forward, even embracing the process and all the details required.

It is not always fun, and definitely not always what we signed up for, but a necessary part of the process. As we enter summer field season, take advantage of your presence on Tree Farm lands by engaging with your Tree Farmers, keeping the records up to date, and completing inspections. And in the words of Captain Picard, even though I like Kirk the best: “Make it so. Engage!”

If you have questions, contact Kathy Beland or Kathleen in admin office.

VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM

NEW MEMBER APPLICATION

(Note: existing members will receive an invoice)

Vermont Woodlands Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to advocate for the management, sustainability, perpetuation, and enjoyment of forests through the practice of excellent forestry that employs highly integrated management practices that protect and enhance both the tangible and intangible values of forests–including clean air and water, forest products, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, recreation, scenic beauty, and other resources–for this and future generations.

ANNUAL DUES INVESTMENT (check one) Landowners ☐ 0 -100 acres............................................................................. $40 ☐ 101-200 acres.......................................................................... $50 ☐ 201-500 acres.......................................................................... $60 ☐ 501-1,000 acres...................................................................... $70 ☐ 1,001-5000 acres.................................................................. $100 ☐ Over 5,000 acres.................................................................. $250 ☐ Friend/Supporter................................................................... $40

Natural resource professionals ☐ Individuals.............................................................................. $50 ☐ Firms and crews................................................................... $100 Wood products companies & equipment suppliers ☐ Individuals.............................................................................. $50 ☐ Firms and crews................................................................... $100 ☐ VWA Accredited Consulting Foresters....................... $160 (Subject to VWA acceptance. Call for details.)

Name__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Town_____________________________________ State___________________________________ Zip___________________ Telephone __________________________ FAX_________________________ Email___________________________________ Woodland town(s) __________________________________County(ies) _______________________ Woodland acres __________________ Tree Farm member?__________ Enrolled in the Value Appraisal Program?__________ Forester________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to Vermont Woodlands Association and mail with the completed form to: VWA Treasurer, PO Box 6004, Rutland, VT 05702-6004.

MEMBERSHIP BONUS!

As a benefit of membership, the Vermont Woodlands Association offers a free subscription to Northern Woodlands, a quarterly magazine that offers readers a “new way of looking at the forest.” Northern Woodlands mission is to encourage a culture of forest stewardship in the Northeast by increasing understanding of and appreciation for the natural wonders, economic productivity, and ecological integrity of the region’s forests. Members also receive the VWA newsletter published quarterly and E-News, offering articles of interest and educational opportunities for woodland owners.

northernwoodlands.org vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org |

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110 Merchants Row, Suite 101 PO Box 6004 Rutland, VT 05702-6004

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID RUTLAND, VT 05702 PERMIT NO.144