Who keeps these ecosystems healthy while balancing the diverse needs of landowners and communities? Enter Vermont's County Foresters.
Your Local Guide to the Woods
Uniquely positioned in every county across the state, Vermont County Foresters serves as free, trusted advisors to private landowners. Because roughly 80% of Vermont's forestland is privately owned, the health of our statewide ecosystem literally rests in the hands of everyday citizens.
Whether you own five acres of backyard hardwoods or five hundred acres of working timberland, your local county forester is your first point of contact. They walk the land with you, listening to your goals—whether that's attracting native birds, creating walking trails, harvesting firewood, or simply leaving a legacy for the next generation.
Navigating the Use-Value Appraisal (Current Use) Program
One of the most popular ways county foresters assist landowners is through Vermont's renowned Use-Value Appraisal program, commonly known as "Current Use."
By helping landowners develop and manage a professional forest management plan, this program lowers property taxes on qualifying acreage. It's an economic lifeline that prevents the fragmentation and development of our woods, ensuring that working forests stay working. County foresters review these plans, offering expert oversight that keeps taxes manageable and forests thriving.
Climate Resilience and the Future
Today, Vermont's forests face unprecedented challenges. From invasive pests like the emerald ash borer to the compounding pressures of a changing climate, keeping forests resilient requires proactive stewardship.
County foresters are on the front lines of this battle. They educate communities on managing invasive species, planting climate-resilient tree species, and protecting vital watersheds. They bridge the gap between complex ecological science and practical, boots-on-the-ground action.
Connect With Your County Forester Today
Vermont's working landscape didn't happen by accident—it's the result of generations of careful stewardship supported by dedicated public servants.
Are you a landowner looking to write a management plan, combat invasive pests, or simply learn more about the trees in your backyard? Help is just a phone call away.
Find your county forester today and take the first step toward better stewardship of your woodland.
