Forest Landowner Outreach Project

In partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Woodlands Association (VWA), Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife, Audubon Vermont and many others, Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) has launched an ambitious initiative to engage new private forest landowners to help them make informed stewardship decisions about their forests. Through this initiative, we aim to develop and disseminate effective educational materials and offer direct technical assistance to landowners.

Private forest landowners are key to maintaining the health and integrity of our forests. Since approximately 85% of Vermont’s forests are privately owned, the management choices that landowners make today will shape the future of our forests, and the wildlife that rely on them. With this in mind, this initiative will equip landowners with the knowledge, support, and resources they need to be the best possible stewards of their forestland.

Whether you’ve been here for a while or are new to Vermont, you hold a vital piece of what makes this place so special. Your forestland is more than just trees and soil; it is a living, functioning part of our natural heritage – and future. The forest you own contributes to the scenic beauty that we all cherish, provides important habitat for wildlife, and plays a key role in keeping our air and water clean while maintaining broader landscape and community resilience. 

With this land comes a great opportunity – and responsibility – to be a steward of the forest. The choices you make today can help ensure that your forest remains intact, vibrant and healthy for generations. Whether you’re interested in enhancing wildlife habitat, managing for recreation, creating a stewardship plan, supporting sustainable timber management, alleviating property taxes by enrolling in Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program, or learning about land protection opportunities, there are many ways to steward your land in ways that align with your values and Vermont’s rich traditions of land stewardship.

Project Resources

Web-based version | PDF version

This guide provides an overview of the suite of management and conservation options that exist to promote healthy forests and sound stewardship. Topics covered include a brief history of our forests, the ethics of forestland ownership, conservation strategies, planning for long-term stewardship, developing a forest management plan, managing for wildlife, carbon, water quality, forest products, recreation, and sensitive ecological features and many others. Appendix 3 includes a list of publications, programs and partners to assist landowners on their stewardship journey.

Web-based version | PDF version

This resource offers a condensed version of the Stewardship Guide for Vermont Forest Landowners to help landowners define their interests and values and put together the first action steps on their journey to responsible stewardship.

Both the Stewardship Guide and Stewardship Roadmap are now available at the VNRC office in Montpelier (11 Baldwin Street, Montpelier, VT 05602). Any interested Vermont landowners are welcome to pickup a copy during regular business hours – check on availability by contacting forests@vnrc.org. We are able to provide multiple copies to organizations and individuals that regularly interact with forest landowners, but such orders must be made via email in advance of pickup. Delivery may also be available upon request.

Your feedback on these resources is welcome and appreciated!

Free Consultations with a Professional Forester!

Through a technical assistance provider, we are able to provide direct stewardship and conservation assistance to a select number of landowners through this project. If you interested in receiving assistance regarding your parcel, please fill out this Google Form or reach out directly to forests@vnrc.org. Landowners that meet certain criteria will be contacted for an additional no-cost consultation; others will be referred to partners based on their stated goals and interests. Our ability to provide free consultations ends in September 2026, so don’t delay!

The assistance offered through this project is provided by Michael Snyder of Greenfire Enterprises, whose expertise is in consulting and advising on forests, forestry, conservation, outdoor recreation and communications. He previously served for twelve years as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, having been appointed by two governors from different political parties. Prior to that he served for fourteen years as Chittenden County Forester, providing land stewardship assistance to private landowners and municipalities. In addition, Mike has taught two courses in forestry at the University of Vermont and wrote the “Woods Whys” column for Northern Woodlands magazine for two decades. He is author of the book, Woods Whys — An Exploration of Forests and Forestry.

Please note: The support offered through this project is intended to help you access the full range of available tools—not to replace your relationship with a consulting forester.

Landowners Survey

In 2024, a survey was distributed to new forest landowners identified from publicly available information in Vermont’s property tax return data base for the years 2019-2022.  The survey was sent to a subset of landowners with unique considerations and features on their land.  The responses provide information about the preferences, background, concerns, and motivations of new forest landowners in Vermont, but given the modest response rate and intentionally targeted audience and questions, the survey results are not meant to represent the viewpoints of all forest landowners in Vermont.  Click here to view the survey results.

Photo courtesy of Vermont Woodlands Association.

Educational Webinars

We will also we conducting webinars throughout 2026 to allow forest landowners an opportunity to dive deeper on topics of interest and ask questions. Recordings of past webinars are hosted on this website and on our YouTube channel.

➡ Principles of Ecological Forest Stewardship
Tuesday, June 30th at 12:00 pm | Recording

In the third installment of our Vermont Forest Landowner Outreach webinar series, join Tony D’Amato, director of the forestry program at UVM’s Rubenstein School, and Mike Snyder, former FPR commissioner and consulting forester with Greenfire Enterprises, for a discussion of ecological forestry both in principle and practice. With Paul Catanzaro of UMass, Tony co-authored the recently published book, Tending Your Forest: A Guide to Ecological Stewardship. Tony and Mike answer audience questions about the adoption of ecological forestry practices in Vermont.

➡ Understanding Your Forest Management Plan
Tuesday, March 24th at 12:00 pm | Recording | Slideshow

You have a forest management plan (FMP), or you want one — but do you understand what it says? This webinar is designed to help landowners better understand, interpret, and apply their forest management plans. Mike Snyder, licensed forester and past Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, walks through common terminology, recommendations, timelines, and how to connect your goals to on-the-ground action. Mike is joined by county forester Tessa McGann for Q&A following the presentation.

Primary authors Mike Snyder (Greenfire Enterprises) and Jamey Fidel (Audubon Vermont) introduce the Stewardship Guide for Vermont Forest Landowners and its companion Stewardship Roadmap for Vermont Forest Landowners. Mike and Jamey will discuss what’s included in the guide and how landowners can use them to help inform their stewardship decisions.

In the summer of 2025, we also held a brief webinar to introduce the landowner outreach project and some of the partners involved.

Thanks again to all the speakers and landowners who participated in our webinars!