The NorthWoods Stewardship Center is pleased to announce a two-year, $185,000 grant from the Canaday Family Charitable Trust to establish a Forest Stewardship Institute at its educational center in Charleston, Vermont. The Institute will focus on teaching and modeling science-based sustainable forestry practices that incorporate multiple values; economic, community, recreational, ecological, and aesthetic—and assist landowners in implementing these practices on their own lands.
“The forest is our most valuable asset here in northern New England, and a major contributor to the wildlife, clean water and air, and recreational possibilities that make this such a fine place to live and visit” explains NorthWoods Operations Director Jayson Benoit. The Northeast Kingdom was recently ranked by National Geographic as the number one place to visit in the country, and ninth in the entire world. “Unfortunately,” he continues, “examples of forests degraded for short-term profit—or simply for a lack of understanding alternatives—continue to outweigh positive examples of forest management. It’s critical to our own future that we improve stewardship of this resource.”
With private ownership accounting for 86% of Vermont’s land base, the fate of the forest depends on well-intentioned and well-informed landowners. Based on two decades of working with this demographic, NorthWoods knows that many are eager to learn more about their forest, and to see examples of management practices for timber, wildlife, and general forest health that can be translated to their own lands. The 1,480-acre Lydia Spitzer Demonstration Forest, named for the conservationist and long-time supporter who donated this land to NorthWoods, will provide both examples of forest management practices and hands-on education for landowners and students.
Forestry education at the site will explore methods for improving habitat for interior forest birds, protecting critical and sensitive habitats such as vernal pools, and producing valuable timber while also promoting wildlife and better water quality. “I can’t imagine having my name on anything more valuable, more important, or more intelligently planned,” notes Spitzer, whose donation of land over the past decade has helped to make the Institute a reality. “I can’t imagine a more perfect use of the land.”
The Institute echoes a statewide priority on sustainable land use evidenced in the Working Landscape legislation, and touches on national priorities of jobs and educational opportunities. “Sustainable forestry is key both to the long term health of forest ecosystems and to the land-based enterprises that are central to our local economy,” says Benoit. The grant will expand NorthWoods’ forestry staff, equipment, public workshops, and other teaching resources—including new access to its demonstration forest and on-campus housing for visiting students, landowners, and researchers.
“NorthWoods has been working hard for the past two decades to preserve the region’s natural assets,” says Benoit, who will head the new Forestry Stewardship Institute. “The Canaday grant strengthens our mission of connecting people and nature through research, education and action, and will help us to build a community of citizen stewards who will pass along a healthier, more resilient forest to future generations.”