Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm Program - A VOICE FOR HEALTHY FORESTS
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Vermont Woodlands
Association and Vermont
Tree Farm Program
A VOICE FOR HEALTHY FORESTS
Vol. 16, No. 2 June 2020
MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER
Proud Sponsor of the American
Tree Farm System in Vermont
vermonttreefarm.org
vermontwoodlands.org
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Looking back, Looking ahead...............................................................Page 3
New Leadership Takes Root....................................................................Page 4
Vermont Woodlands Association Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata).......................................................Page 6
2020 Officers and Directors A Bird-Friendly Maple Assessment.....................................................Page 8
The Acceptable Management Practices......................................... Page 10
OFFICERS
Important News for Tree Farmers and VWA Members........... Page 12
Allan Thompson, Interim President, Waterbury, VT
John Buck, Vice President, Waterbury Center, VT 2020 Vermont Tree Farmers(s) of the Year................................... Page 13
Trevor Evans, Treasurer, Newport, VT Inspector’s Log........................................................................................... Page 15
Marli Rabinowitz, Secretary, Guilford, VT Seven Steps to Legacy Planning Success...................................... Page 17
Alan M. Robertson, Secretary, Sheffield, VT
COVID-19 Impacts on SFI...................................................................... Page 18
J.K. Adams Responds to COVID-19.................................................. Page 20
DIRECTORS
Membership Application...................................................................... Page 22
Jamey Fidel, Montpelier, VT
Chris Fife, Fairfield, ME Welcome........................................................................................................ Page 23
Steve Handfield, Poultney, VT
Front cover photos: Allan Thomson (left),
Luke Hardt, Hardwick, VT
Kevin Vance/flickr.com (right), VWA (bottom right)
Dan Kilborn, Island Pond, VT
Back cover photos: Tom Thomson (left), Allan Thomson (top right),
Leo Laferriere, Waitsfield, VT
VWA (bottom right)
John McClain, Randolph, VT
David Paganelli, So. Strafford, VT
William Sayre, Bristol, VT
David Wilcox, Berlin, VT AN INVITATION TO OUR MEMBERS
Stephen Webster, Randolph, VT
We welcome your submissions for the VWA and Tree
Keith Thompson, Advisor, VT Forests, Parks & Rec
Farm newsletter. If you have a story to tell or news of
interest to share with other landowners, please send
along so we may consider for future editions. We can
accept articles, photos, or news tidbits via email to
info@vermontwoodlands.org.
Mission Statements:
Vermont Tree Farm Vermont Woodlands Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation
whose mission is to advocate for the management, sustainability,
Committee Members perpetuation, and enjoyment of forests through the practice of
Richard Bizzozero, Co-Chair, Tree Farmer, Brookfield excellent forestry that employs highly integrated management practices
Kathy Beland, Co-Chair, Forester, Clarendon, VT that protect and enhance both the tangible and intangible values of
Allen Yale, Secretary, Tree Farmer, Derby, VT forests - including clean air and water, forest products, wildlife habitat,
Jayson Benoit, Forester, South Royalton, VT biodiversity, recreation, scenic beauty, and other resources - for this and
Robert Cowles, Landowner, Derby, VT future generations. VWA objectives are to communicate the benefits
of working forests, recognize exemplary actions of woodland owners
Jock Irons, Tree Farmer, Woodford, VT
and managers, provide educational opportunities, and represent its
Ryan Kilborn, Forester, W. Topsham, VT membership before governmental bodies.
Kyle Mason, Bennington County Forester
David Paganelli, Orange County Forester The American Tree Farm System, first organized in 1941, is the Nation's
Peter & Julie Parker, Tree Farmers, Granville, VT oldest certifier of privately owned forestland. Tree Farm members
Alan Robertson, Tree Farmer, Sheffield, VT share a unique commitment to protecting watersheds and wildlife
Mary Sisock, Burlington, VT habitat, conserving soil, and providing recreation; and at the same
Dave Stoner, Tree Farmer, Craftsbury Common 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,
Program Administrator water, wood, and recreation. We do this by managing and enhancing the
Kathleen Wanner, Rutland, VT American Tree Farm System® Program in Vermont.
2 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
NEWS FROM VWA
Looking back, Looking ahead
by Kathleen Wanner, Executive Director
What a difference a few months makes. It seems we will mark time as pre, during, grateful that I had the opportunity to
When I sat here in February, in my fairly and post COVID for decades to come. serve VWA under the leadership of Put
new home office to write the article for There have been joys, like the birth of my Blodgett. We have witnessed the end of an
the March newsletter, I was filled with great granddaughter in week two of our era; but with endings come beginnings.
hope for the year ahead. While I have shut-down. As of this writing, I have yet Transition, when planned for, is difficult
not lost hope, I am overwhelmed by the to get my hands on little Brynn Kathleen to manage. Transition, when thrust upon
rapid changes in VWA and the world in Wanner who will always be a “pandemic” us, calls for courage and commitment. I
general. I know from my conversations baby with stories to tell as she grows have seen both from the VWA board and
with others that I am surely not alone. up. And, as we know, there have been know that Put’s legacy will live on. While
sorrows at a time when even grieving we may have lost our long-time leader, we
I’ve grown weary of our new life of social must be borne alone as well. did not lose our vision for the future nor
distancing and also of “Zooming” my our desire to fulfill a mission of service
days away. Don’t get me wrong. I love The passing of Put Blodgett, just as and education to woodland owners.
love love to see the faces of friends and COVID was hitting the headlines, weighs
colleagues whom I know are having the heavy. Like so many who have suffered By the time you read this, we will surely
same struggles. There’s comfort in this losses, we have not been able to share still be in the midst of a global pandemic,
“seeing,” more so than any phone call can our collective grief with tears, laughter, albeit with fewer personal restrictions,
achieve but less so than that much needed smiles, or hugs. We have not been able but my hope for us all is that the worst
“hug hello” that always fed my spirit. I to come together to honor this man as will be behind us and that together we
yearn for those hugs and worry that it he so deserves. Instead, each of us is can manage whatever comes our way.
could be a bygone tradition. But “Zoom” engaged in silent reflection. Put and I Please, stay safe, stay well, stay connected
– which may be our 2020 word of the had worked together for about 15 of his in whatever small way you can. And don’t
year – has a positive side too, and that 20-year presidential term. He was my forget to get out into the woods to find a
is the ability to reach across geographic friend and mentor, my ally and adversary. bit of peace in an otherwise crazy world.
boundaries and deliver valuable content While we both wanted the same thing for
to many of you in far off places. I’ve VWA – a secure and vibrant future – we
been so heartened by the response to our did not always get there in the same way.
many webinars and hope you’ve found But I like to think that we always learned My deepest gratitude to all who
them informative. I’m also very grateful something from each other. have given to the VWA Memorial
to our natural resource professionals Endowment in memory of Put.
who have stepped up to deliver some I miss the friendly banter, the Monday He would be touched by your
pretty awesome programs. My view for morning calls with marching orders, the generosity and very pleased to see
this endowment take root. If there
the future, when restrictions are lifted, ease with which we could go toe-to-toe
was one ongoing discussion around
now includes a return to some small and ultimately agree to disagree, the stern the Board table, it was about the
boots-on-the-ground woodland tours reminders that “I would understand if I value of Endowments vs. Funds. To
supplemented by some very engaging grew up in the depression,” the man who honor Put’s wishes, please indicate
“Zoominars.” Please join me on this new was larger than life in everything he did. that your donations in his memory
journey, either virtually or in person There are stories that I will remember should be allocated to the VWA
when we are again able to meet. with bemusement and stories that I will Memorial Endowment.
remember with pride. I will be forever
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 3
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM PRESIDENT’S COLUMN New Leadership Takes Root by Stephanie Kelly, VWA How does Allan Thompson plan to board, committees, and membership, Allan has been on the Board of VWA follow in the footsteps of Putnam and I expect members will see more since 2016, when Al Robertson Blodgett? Very carefully, he said new faces and voices sharing the same encouraged Allan to join the of his role as Interim President for messages that VWA has been sharing organization after Allan had contacted VWA. Allan said Put recognized that for a long time. There will be many Al to express “some concerns” at landowners owned land for many people involved, a diverse voice. The Al’s testimony to the legislature reasons, and recently Put worked way a diverse forest is a healthy forest is regarding some important forest tirelessly to integrate those interests the same here: a diverse membership is industry legislation. Once Allan was into VWA even more by increasing the a healthy membership.” on the Board, Put would, on many focus on sound forest management, stable forest economies, and wildlife habitat and conservation. Having Put lead the way was very valuable, and Allan’s main goal is to keep up the momentum that the organization had built under Put’s tenure. “VWA has done a good job of engaging landowners and encouraging them to get involved with their own land and spend time in their woods,” said Allan. “It will be a fun and valuable role to take the lead at VWA.” Recognizing the value of VWA’s executive director, board members, committee members, and volunteers, Allan said he “will look to the existing knowledge and commitment to our forests of these ever-present parties to help lead the organization forward.” “Put was a really strong leader and gave a lot of time to VWA,” Allan said, knowing it is not realistic for any one person, including himself (a small business owner with two young kids) to take the helm of VWA single-handedly. “We’re going to be better at delegating. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and commitment within our 4 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
occasions, lean over to ask Allan when Allan hopes to maintain the various settings still used today. Northern
he would “raise his hand” to do more. communications strategies that VWA Stewards was founded in 2007 with the
Consequently, Allan become Co-Vice has adopted recently because all of idea of integrating forest and wildlife
President in May 2018 and now will sit these tools “give landowners an easy habitat management on private lands in
as Interim President until an election is way to engage with us.” Vermont. Since then, his company has
held at the Annual Meeting, scheduled provided services to hundreds of private
for October 2020. Allan intends to keep Another idea that is important to landowners, municipalities, land trusts,
his hat in the ring when the members Allan as he leads VWA forward is how conservation organizations, States and
vote officially for the next President. forest management improves carbon the Federal Government.
storage and sequestration. He spoke
Allan spoke admiringly about what hopefully about how VWA could Allan lives in the house that he grew
VWA does best, which is to engage promote good forest management up in, on 80 acres of land in Waterbury
with landowners and encourage locally as well as recognize how where he can tend his own woodlands
them to be responsible stewards. His those forests support global health. with his two sons, 12-year-old Acer
goal is for the organization to keep He would like to help members and and 9-year-old Silvan. Allan thinks it
engaging landowners. He wants to keep the public learn more about climate- was there on the family land where
promoting a Woods Life, an integrated resilient and climate-friendly forest he developed his love and passion for
life that appreciates life in the woods, management. In Allan’s words, “a outdoor work.
utilization of resources, protection of healthy forest means healthy living.”
ecosystems, and cultural and social Allan is most interested in using his
interactions. He says landowners are Allan owns and operates Northern time as President to connect with
very privileged to own and manage land Stewards and is a Certified Wildlife members as a fellow landowner. He
that they can call their own, but, in his Biologist and VT Licensed Forester. wants to make sure members know
words, “we still have a responsibility to Allan received his degree in Wildlife that he is one of them and cares about
manage the land to share its resources Biology from the University of Montana them and their activities. Under Allan’s
with others. VWA needs to stay and worked as a wildlife and habitat leadership, VWA will continue to be a
connected with all of its constituents, technician for a variety of projects strong advocate for everyone’s lives in
including loggers, truckers, mill owners, developing field skills in a variety of the woods.
landowners, and woods enthusiasts.
“There is a continued need to protect
the legitimacy of Vermont forest TIMBER SALES,
industry activities financially, socially,
and culturally.” FOREST MANAGEMENT,
& CONSULTING
Allan said taking over as the president
of VWA now is a “difficult time socially
and culturally,” but VWA is in the best
position that it’s ever been in. The Using our skills and market knowledge
value that donors and members see in to help you meet YOUR objectives
the organization is so important and
appreciated – they recognize the value
and need for protecting our forests and JEFF LANGMAID
keeping alive the forest culture. Montpelier, VT
jeff.langmaid@fwforestry.com
One thing that Allan would like to 802.223.8644
do more of, besides teamwork and
delegating, is to continue with the
outreach efforts that the coronavirus
fwforestry.net fountainsland.com
outbreak has forced in recent weeks.
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 5
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
NEWS FROM VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
by Elizabeth Spinney, Invasive Plant Coordinator, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
Spring has transitioned from “stick” edges, floodplains, fields, and in states. Being an obligate biennial, this
season to bursts of green on the shrubs disturbed habitats. In late spring, you plant produces a rosette of leaves in
and trees. As we welcome these warmer will see tiny white flowers, and in Year 1, overwinters, and the surviving
days with time outside, common warmer parts of the state, long slender rosettes bolt, flower, seed, and die in
sights we might see underfoot on our seed pods should be visible. These are Year 2.
trails and paths include native plants, great indicators that you can use to
like Common Evening-primrose learn how to identify this plant. Year 1 Plants: A rosette of green basal
(Oenothera biennis) and Partridge- leaves will grow, with leaves having
berry (Mitchella repens), as well as Garlic Mustard originates from a bean shape, scalloped edges, and
introduced species, like Common throughout Europe and has spread as petioles that are purple-tinged. This
Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus). In the far as Africa, India, New Zealand, and stage of growth is where it is easiest to
mix may also be the overwintering North America. The first official record confuse other plants for Garlic Mustard
introduced invasive plant called Garlic of Garlic Mustard growing in the or vice versa. Species like Creeping
Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), starting United States, as far as I can tell, comes Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) also
to flower. Also known as “garlic from the New York State Museum have green, bean shaped, scalloped
root,” “penny hedge,” or “poor man’s in 1868. It was certainly known as a edged leaves, but they are much smaller
mustard,” this biennial herbaceous garden herb in the 1800s, and perhaps on average and the growth form of
plant has been found to be highly even by early European settlers. Since the plant is mat-like vs. the rosette of
invasive in habitats like forests, forest that time, it has spread to over 39 Garlic Mustard. If ever in doubt, crush
An uncommon size and sight – Garlic Mustard rosettes
that grew in the cleared space after Japanese Knotweed was
removed. When identifying a plant, always use multiple
characteristics, because there will be variations, especially in
leaf size! Photo: E. Spinney, VT Forests, Parks & Recreation Garlic Mustard infestation along a forest edge. Photo: L. Mehrhoff, UCONN, Bugwood.org
6 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
some of the leaves between your fingers inhibit the growth of nearby plants Mustard over their normal host plants,
– if it is Garlic Mustard, there will be a (allelopathy). The seeds remain viable Toothworts (Cardamine diphylla
garlicy odor! The rosette of leaves helps for the better part of a decade. It can and Cardamine concatenata). The
the plant store energy in its taproot overtake the understory of a forest, and butterflies lay eggs, which hatch and are
that will allow it to bolt in the spring. it provides little benefit to native fauna. unable to complete their lifecycle on
It is said to have an “S” shaped taproot, There have even been documented Garlic Mustard. The negative impacts
though I’ve personally found it to be impacts to Species of Special Concern, that this plant has on New England
less “S” shaped than just slightly curved the West Virginia White Butterfly. The natural resources has led to its listing as
like a winding road. female butterflies are attracted to Garlic a Class B Noxious Weed in Vermont.
Year 2 Plants: The basal rosette
remains, and a bolt forms, with
alternating triangular, scalloped to
toothed leaves. These leaves also have
a garlicy odor. Flowers turning to long Growing Tomorrow's
slender seed pods can be produced Forests Today®
throughout late spring. The mode
of spread is primarily through the www.aboutsfi.org
dispersal of seeds, on wildlife, humans,
and our gear/equipment/vehicles. In Vermont, call William Driscoll,
SFI Coordinator, at Associated
Garlic Mustard is a shade tolerant Industries of Vermont, 802-223-3441.
plant that is able to adapt and grow
in a variety of conditions (pristine to
disturbed) and exudes chemicals that
MEADOWSEND CONSULTING CO.
Adaptive forest management services for you and your woodland.
Integrity Guaranteed.
mtlforests.com
802-323-3593
Building stewardship reputation and relationships since 1992
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 7
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
NEWS FROM
AUDUBON VERMONT
A Bird-Friendly Maple Assessment
at Couching Lion Maple Sugar Farm
by Gwendolyn Causer, Teacher/Naturalist and Communications Manager, Audobon Vermont
A Maple Morning The Assessment in a Nutshell sweet-sap-producing sugar maples, but
A few weeks ago, the stars finally aligned As described in our Bird-Friendly encouraging a diversity of tree species at
for me to tag along with Audubon Maple Project brochure, a bird-friendly all layers of the forest ensures the long-
Vermont’s Conservation Biologist sugarbush is managed for the following term health of the woods in the face of
Steve Hagenbuch for a Bird-Friendly features to offer great places for birds to potential insect and disease pests as well
Maple sugarbush assessment. Chaska forage, hide, and raise their young: as from challenges brought about by
Richardson and Matt Menard of • A diversity of tree species: more than changes in our climate. Growing more
Couching Lion Maple Sugar Farm run just maple than maple also provides a wider variety
a sweet sugaring operation high in • Layers of vegetation: from small of food sources, nesting habitat, and
the hills of Huntington. They already seedlings on the forest floor to protective cover for birds.
manage their forest to enhance wildlife saplings and shrubs to the canopy
and were enthusiastic to learn more overhead We visually estimated percent cover in
about how to make a commitment to • Standing dead trees and live trees three layers of the forest: the canopy,
manage their sugarbush to intentionally with cavities, the bigger the better the midstory, and the understory. In
enhance bird conservation through • Logs and branches on the forest floor addition to a healthy population of sugar
Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple Project. • Birds singing! maple seedlings, we noticed plenty of
young ash, black cherry, serviceberry,
My interest in tagging along was The Language of Sugaring and beech. It was a bit like fortune-
two-fold: 1) an opportunity to take telling for the future of the forest.
I quickly realized that while I was
some pictures and tell the story of what well-versed in forestry, birding,
a sugarbush assessment is all about, and and conservation terms, Steve and
2) a chance to build my assessment skills Matt spoke an entirely different
so I could better incorporate sugarbush language of sugaring. Conversations
assessment into Audubon’s Education about nonvacuum sap tubing, pan
Programs for school groups. specifications, and fuel efficiency flew
past me while I immersed myself in
plant and bird identification.
More Than Just Maple
Steve was able to use data from
Couching Lion’s forest management
plan to map out where to take our
data plots and to determine the overall
diversity of tree species currently
Audubon Vermont’s Conservation Biologist Steve Hagenbuch
discusses the Bird-Friendly Maple Project with Couching
in the sugarbush. It’s enticing for
Lion Maple Sugar Farm’s Chaska Richardson and Matt sugarmakers to focus on growing only Steve and Matt talk tubing in the sugarbush. Photo:
Menard. Photo: Audubon Vermont Audubon Vermont
8 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
Surveying the Snags Birdsong and Lunch
Standing dead and dying trees, otherwise By August, the forest becomes much
known as snags, provide habitat for more quiet as birds are done with
cavity-nesting birds, such as the Yellow- mate-attracting courtship songs and
bellied Sapsucker, as well as a wide are keeping their nesting locations
range of other species. To get a handle secret. Steve’s spring and early-summer
on the snags, we got to pull out the sugarbush assessments are able to tally
forestry tools! Over the years, Steve has longer lists of birds as he identifies their
explained to me a handful of times how songs. We heard a small flock of Cedar Using a wedge prism during a Bird-Friendly Maple
Sugarbush Assessment. Photo: Audubon Vermont
to use a wedge prism for “variable-radius Waxwings (attracted to the fruit of the
plot sampling,” but it had never really black cherry and serviceberry), but the
“stuck.” But hearing Steve explain prism woods were otherwise silent.
to Matt and actually using the prism for
the assessment made the difference: a Around noon, both Matt and I needed
true testament to the power of hands-on to return to other work duties. Steve
educational opportunities for students remained to finish up the assessment.
coming to Audubon! The next big step in the process will
involve Couching Lion Maple Sugar
Messy = Well-Managed Farm making a commitment in their
Nestled in the slopes of Camel’s forest management plan to manage their
Hump, Couching Lion Maple Sugar sugarbush intentionally for the benefit
Farm experiences frequent high-wind of birds. They will then join Audubon’s
events, resulting in blow-downs in the growing community of Bird-Friendly
sugarbush. The tangle of coarse woody Maple Sugarmakers.
debris is perfect habitat for both ground-
nesting and ground-foraging birds. It Look for the label! To
also provides excellent protective cover recognize and support
for wildlife and cycles nutrients back participating maple
into the soil as the trees decompose. producers for their good
A park-like sugarbush doesn’t provide work, look for maple
all of these benefits. Matt was pleased syrup containers with the
to have the science to back up his label indicating the syrup was produced Birds such as the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker rely upon snags for
nesting cavities in the sugarbush. Photo: Linda Huffman
management decisions, especially to in a Bird-Friendly forest habitat.
explain that a well-managed sugarbush
might look messy.
Discussing forest structure, diversity, and regeneration Steve and Matt use wedge prisms to assess snags during a Audubon Vermont Conservation Biologist Steve Hagenbuch
during a Bird-Friendly Maple Sugarbush Assessment. Photo: Bird-Friendly Maple Sugarbush Assessment. (Notice the conducting a Bird-Friendly Maple Sugarbush Assessment
Audubon Vermont image at Matt’s left shoulder.) Photo: Audubon Vermont Photo: Audubon Vermont
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 9
VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
OUR WOODLANDS
AND WATER QUALITY
The Acceptable Management Practices
(AMPs) and the forest landowner
by Dave Wilcox, Watershed Forester
We hope that by now, spring of 2020, soak into the forest floor. He covered take care of the AMPs is important
the new Acceptable Management waterbars, which divert surface water because during the harvest is when the
Practices (AMPs) manual has made from trails and roads to prevent water environment -- streams and wetlands,
its way to the Favorites bar on your from gaining enough velocity to cause in particular – is most vulnerable.
computer or onto your bookshelf, into erosion. And he acknowledged that When implemented properly, the
the glovebox of your vehicle, or in the installing proper stream crossings, AMPs will reduce soil disturbance,
pocket of your cruising vest. Whether perhaps the most important AMP of in turn minimizing the potential for
you are a logger, forester, or landowner, all, was critical in reducing the risk of discharges into surface waters.
the orange-covered manual is a must- sedimentation into streams.
have for anyone who owns, manages, or It sounds easy, right? But, as with
works in the woods. everything else in nature, the devil is in
the details. Not all harvests are created
The underlying official rule states, “The equal. Some parcels are riddled with
purpose of the AMPs is to provide surface water, and some are not. Some
measures for loggers, foresters, and parcels have soil that is poorly drained,
landowners to utilize before, during, and some is well drained. Sometimes
and after logging operations to comply access is right off the pavement, and
with the Vermont Water Quality sometimes it’s a two-mile truck-road
Standards and minimize the potential with a major stream crossing, just
for a discharge from logging operations to make it interesting. As you can
in Vermont in accordance with 10 imagine, the details of each timber sale
A forester and a logger work together.
V.S.A. §1259.” But what does this really will determine the AMPs necessary
mean to the forest landowner? This to protect water quality. Don’t worry,
installment of “Woodlands and Water In most instances, the AMPs are as the forest landowner, you have the
Quality” will discuss the AMPs from something that the forester and the perfect tool to combat all these little
the landowner’s perspective. logger work out on behalf of the intricacies: your forester. He or she will
landowner, and the landowner may know how to navigate the planning
In the March 2020 edition of the VWA see only reference to the AMPs as a and layout of the harvest to reduce
newsletter, forestland owner and VWA requirement in the timber sale contract the potential impact to surface water.
member Allen Yale did a great job that he or she signs. A good contract This is important not only for the cost
summarizing each section of the AMP will put the responsibility for following of implementing the AMPs but also
manual and hitting upon some of the the AMPs onto the logger, who, after because proper layout of landings,
26 practices that make up the AMPs. all, is the person implementing the roads, skid trails, and stream crossings
He talked about forest buffers, those AMPs during the harvesting and is the number-one way to mitigate the
areas around streams and wetlands that usually at post-harvest close-out. risks to water quality.
provide an area for surface water to The fact that the forester and logger
10 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree FarmVERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
that a waterbar is not working or that You can find the AMP manual online at
there is a section of trail that you can’t https://fpr.vermont.gov/. At the bottom of
get on until August without rutting is the screen, under Quick Links, choose
helpful in protecting your trails. And Publications. Under Forest Management,
even beyond this, understanding that click on Acceptable Management
what we do as forest landowners in Practices (AMP's) Manual - .pdf. Printed
and around our streams, wetlands, and manuals can be picked up free-of-charge
other sensitive areas has consequences at your County Forester office or at
downstream is key. any district office of the Department of
Forests, Parks and Recreation.
Erosion on a forest road due to an undersized culvert.
So, why bother to understand all of AN INVITATION TO
this when the forester and logger OUR MEMBERS
make all the decisions? Keep in mind We welcome your submissions
that a timber sale may only come for the VWA and Tree Farm
along every 15-20 years on a typical newsletter. If you have a story to
stand in Vermont. What happens tell or news of interest to share
in between? Well, if you’re like me, with other landowners, please
you like to get out in the woods and send along so we may consider for
enjoy them. Access is important. future editions.
Access means permanent roads and We can accept articles, photos,
trails, and, in many cases, that means or news tidbits via email to
stream crossings and the inevitable info@vermontwoodlands.org.
and commonly misunderstood “wet
section.” Between planned harvests,
your road and trail system will HOW CAN YOU HELP
get used. As it should. And for the A skid trail that has been closed out properly. YOUR FOREST?
investment you put into the roads and Work with a consulting forester to
trails, they should be maintained so manage as best as possible in these
I invite you, as a forest landowner, to
that they last and, just as important, difficult times. With the complexity
peruse the AMP manual and get a feel
so that they don’t contribute sediment of the problems facing us, it is
for what the AMPs are intended to do
to the surface water, which, in turn, imperative to have professional
and how they work. The principles are
causes problems downstream. help, just as we do for our medical,
simple. Where we channel water with dental, legal and accounting needs.
truck roads and skid trails, we need Also, your consulting forester’s
For the time period between
to implement practices to spread it assistance is needed to make sure
harvests, it’s a pretty good bet that
back out and let it soak into the forest forest management is allowed
as the landowner, you will be solely
floor. Disconnect surface water in our if you should ever decide to put
responsible for the maintenance of your property into a conservation
trails and roads from streams using
the AMPs installed on your roads easement.
waterbars or cross drain culverts. And,
and trails. This is where knowing a
most importantly, provide adequate
little about the AMPs can make a
forest buffers around our streams and
big difference. Understanding that
build our stream crossings for the long HOW CAN YOU HELP VWA?
culverts need to be sized properly to
term by providing ample hydrological
work properly (the AMP manual has Introduce a friend, neighbor,
and biological capacity. If we each take or family member to VWA.
a table for sizing permanent crossings
a little more time and are willing to go Membership really matters!
on intermittent streams) and that they
a little bit further to do our “work of
need to be cleaned out regularly makes Attend a workshop or walk in the
clean water,” we can make a significant
a difference. Being able to recognize woods to learn from and network
positive impact.
with others.
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 11VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
NEWS FROM THE
VERMONT TREE FARM COMMITTEE
Important News for Tree Farmers
and VWA Members
by Alan Robertson, landowner and tree farmer
The American Forest Foundation – AFF encumbered with title issues as well start up other states – hopefully Vermont.
– held its annual National Leadership as other racial inequities burdening The Pennsylvania program included
Community Conference (NLCC) in many black landowners throughout two directions. In the “Growing Mature
Baltimore this year just before the the country. We saw more assistance Forests” program, eligibility requirements
coronavirus made the traditional to women owning woodlands to help include acreages between 30 and 2400
conference a bit of history. Your VWA them in achieving their stewardship acres, a natural forest – not a plantation
and TF folks (Kathleen Wanner, Kathy goals. We saw an effort to help – and minimum basal areas present.
Beland, Mary Sisock, Alex Barrett, and Al landowners understand why they Practice requirements include a 20-year
Robertson) attended in serious numbers should embrace forest stewardship. commitment, harvests limited over that
and were rewarded with important And we saw a continued effort from period to 35% of the current basal area,
participation and some news that AFF AFF to look to exploit regional issues and average stand diameters not reduced
is serious about making the Tree Farm and interests that drive landowners to more than 10%. Also, the landowner
program more environmentally relevant be good forest stewards even if their is responsible for 5-year written
and financially rewarding to participants. favorite issues and hobbies have little to notifications of conformity. Payments
do, initially, with trees. depend on the timber density on the
First, the overview this year was, parcel when enrolled and range between
“strengthening, growing, and increasing Perhaps one of the most interesting $120 and $400/acre total, metered out
our conservation impact.” There were sessions was the AFF effort to make over the 20-year period of enrollment.
an abundant number of concurrent a success of enrolling TFers in a new
sessions covering a broad variety carbon market concept. AFF tried to For the second program, “Enhancing the
of topics, including progress on the make a success of entering Tree Farmers Future Forests,” eligibility requirements
Sustainable Forestry and African in carbon markets several years ago but of acreages are similar to the first, but the
American Land Retention Program failed because of the high costs associated enrolled land must have cover of at least
(SFLR), the upcoming revisions to the with the program administration, 30% of undesirable competing plants,
management standards, new tools for inventory, and monitoring. It appears including invasives, and a regeneration
bringing more Tree Farmers on board, that AFF has found a way around harvest having occurred in the past 10
the White Oak Initiative for increasing those excessive costs through taking a years or planned in the next 10 years.
and improving the acres of white oak practices-based approach rather than Practice requirements include treating
under management, activating cultural an inventory-based approach to carbon enrolled stands to reduce competing
competence and inclusion in forestry, calculations as well as monitoring vegetation by at least 85% of pre-
and the importance of estate planning in changes on a landscape level. They do treatment value and maintenance of this
forest ownership. this in part by utilizing high resolution level throughout the contract period of
aerial photography (a lot cheaper now)/ 10 years. Payments depend on how bad
What we saw was AFF reaching out photogrammetry and remote sensing the undesirables are and range from $50
over the past few years to the black algorithms to identify changes across to $280 per acre total with most of the
landowners of America to help them landscapes. AFF is rolling out a test in payout in the first 6 years. If this concept
recover and steward forestlands Pennsylvania, and, if successful, they will is successful, a small landowner TFer
12 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree FarmVERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
may finally be compensated for a real
ecological service from participation in
the program, which would also be a great
Vermont Tree Farm
recruiting tool for VWA/TF.
Program Congratulates
Vermont is currently working on a third
type of carbon market program with
Amazon, Vermont Land Trust, and other
the 2020 Vermont Tree
conservation organizations. There will be
more information on this program in the
future including eligibility requirements
Farmer(s) of the Year
and practice standards.
The Starrs: It’s a
But that’s not all that got accomplished!
More details were made available on the
Family Affair!
WoodsCamp program, which will assist
in bringing in more new, younger Tree
by Ryan Kilborn
Farm members. Almost all the Vermont
attendees also were trained as Tree Farm Ila Starr (husband Jack Sr. deceased)
Facilitators. The updated training and and her children Jack Jr, Virgil,
the increase in the number of Facilitators William, Gary, Betty, Jim (deceased
will allow easier training of our forester 2018) & widow Jennifer Gaffney, their
inspectors and lessen the load on the children Seth Starr, Leah Starr, and
Facilitators. Additionally, Kathy joined Anna Oshea.
a panel for the plenary session and led a
discussion on inspector engagement in a The Starr family began their long
concurrent session. Kathleen presented heritage in the town of Troy in 1944
Vermont’s Woods, Wildlife, and Warblers when Jack Starr Sr’s father purchased
program for utilizing Tree Farm to achieve what is now known as the Town
conservation outcomes and conducted Farm, which is still in the family’s
another workshop discussing “Why be a holding 76 years later. Jack Sr. was an Left to Right: Willie Nelson, Jack Starr Sr., and Senator
Tree Farmer.” Al, with Natalie Alex of AFF, advocate for the Save-the-Family Farm Bernie Sanders together at a Save-the-Family Farm Aid
convention
gave a class on getting legislation through Aid program. He traveled across the
your legislature or Congress. country speaking on behalf of this of Jim Starr (who passed away in
program, and he worked with state 2018) – Seth Starr, Leah Starr, and
Despite the coronavirus, the next couple senators and well-known musicians Anna Oshea. Jennifer Gaffney, Jim’s
of years are going to be very busy for all in fundraising events. This dedication widow, also maintains ownership of
of us in VWA and Tree Farm. We see and sense of conservation to the land an additional 84-acre lot in the town
many programs finally making headway was passed on to his children who of Troy.
on involving neophyte or previously have acquired, as a family, 500+ acres
uninterested forestland owners in our of forest and agricultural land in North Much of this land base is forested but
programs. And, for those of you with Troy, protecting nearly 1.5 miles of also contains the family farm house,
long memories of the past third-party frontage along the Missisquoi River. agricultural land, and family camp
audits, Vermont is again being audited where multiple generations come
in 2021! Now’s the time to ensure your Today, this acreage is owned by Ila together each year for family reunions.
management plan and contacts with Starr (wife of Jack Starr Sr., now Many families would have bent to the
foresters and clients are up to date! deceased) and the siblings Jack Starr
Jr., Virgil Starr, William Starr, Gary
Stay healthy and socially distant! Starr, Betty Griggs, and the children
STARRS, continued on next page
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 13VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
STARRS, continued from pg.13
temptation of selling river frontage lots maintain old stream crossings with
in the highly pressured development skidder bridge panels, and create new
area that is shadowed by the Jay Peak trails for recreation. This harvest was
Resort, but the Starr family’s strong administered by a forester, and wood
sense of conservation, love of recreation was marketed to local sawmills in
and wildlife, and strong connection to Canada and northern VT.
the shores of the Missisquoi River have
kept this land base intact. Their family Ephemeral and intermittent streams that
values include passing this land ethic form on the property and feed directly Left to Right: Jim, Betty, Gary, Ila, Jack Jr., Virgil, and Billy Starr
onto the next generation and keeping into the Missisquoi River were buffered
the land in family ownership. A means and properly crossed with skidder
of doing this has been through enrolling bridge panels and pole crossings. Many wildlife habitat, and water quality. They
the land into Vermont’s Current Use of the historic crossings were in poor maintain an important sense of place
program and managing the property condition with washed-out culverts, that their family can reliably return to
over the years for timber, while at the causing erosion from high water events. each year for enjoyment.
same time promoting wildlife habitat, Skidder bridge panels were purchased
water quality, and allowing the land to by the family and installed during the Although the family has been members
be used by others for hunting, hiking, sale and then kept in place for long-term of the Vermont Tree Farm Program
fishing, and camping. benefits to water quality and recreation. since only 2014, they have practiced
Maintaining forested buffers along the and adhered to the principles of forest
The property owned by Jim and Missisquoi River is a long-term goal of stewardship for decades prior, which
Jennifer also was part of an NRCS the family ownership. makes this family an excellent candidate
contract where EQIP funds were used for the Vermont Tree Farmer(s) of the
to maintain and create song bird/grouse This river is one of the state’s largest Year. This award does not focus on the
habitat with a brontosaurus machine. rivers and a primary watershed for management of just one parcel, but
Jim Starr was one of the leading Lake Champlain. Opportunities for instead it recognizes and congratulates
individuals that helped orchestrate the development along this river are high the entire family for the values and
purchase of the North Troy Village and in demand, especially with Jay Peak efforts that they bring to the land
Forest, a 116-acre property with 1.5 in the backdrop, yet the Starr family and the surrounding community. It
miles of river frontage on the Missisquoi has kept the land intact and free of also recognizes the effort made by an
River and a large, rare natural fragmentation. individual, Jim Starr, who loved to
community of silver maple-ostrich fern share and promote the beliefs of forest
flood plain. Once the village purchased The Starr family has been able to stewardship, conservation, and family/
the land, they were able to conserve the maintain and increase their land community ownership with everyone.
tract through the Vermont Housing ownership at a time when land is only
Conservation Board to protect the land becoming more expensive, highly
and river from future development taxed, and feuds between siblings and
while creating open space for the public family members are common due to a We are currently hoping to
to recreate on. changing world that disconnects many host our Tree Farmer of the
people from the land. To date, the family Year celebration in the fall. We
The last timbersale occurred in 2016 has been able to overcome the pressures are so eager to meet the Starr
Family and shower them with
on the parcel of land owned by all of development that could easily
our gratitude for exemplary
the siblings. The goal of this sale was provide them with more cash flow than stewardship, but time will tell
to improve conditions for acceptable growing trees, and they have embraced what’s possible. Please be on
growing stock, release established the importance of land management the lookout for notification
regeneration, create aspen browse for while balancing their family’s goals about this event.
wildlife, release apple trees, repair and and objectives related to recreation,
14 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree FarmVERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
VERMONT TREE FARM
INSPECTOR’S LOG
May 4, 2020: “May the 4th Be With You”
or “May the Forest Be With You”
by Kathy Beland
Until today, my most recent Inspector’s resilience, as do our forests. Your ability Inspector Survey completed in 2018, as
Log was written last February. It is to adapt and move forward, try out was support for an annual Tree Farm
hard to believe it has been over a year new ideas, and stay current with the Inspector Field Day. We are working
since my life was turned upside down, science of our profession and passions on that package, and had hoped to
seemingly over and over again. I could about the land are always refreshing to roll it out this summer at a Tree Farm
not have predicted that in a few short me. With that force of resilience, the Inspector Field Day. Alas, that may
months, the loss of my husband would Vermont Tree Farm Program is always look a little bit different now, and
become part of my waking and sleeping looking at ways to improve how we we may need to have that rollout via
and always in the background of how work with you as well as make your webinar with an online Inspector Field
I think and process, mark time and work for Tree Farm worthwhile and, Day. It definitely won’t be the same as
move forward, plan and work, play and hopefully, simplified and rewarded as completing it in person, but we will
love on my family. And just as much as much as is possible. once again need to be innovative with
the loss was accepting the kindnesses how we move forward. Stay tuned!
and generosity literally heaped upon Beginning in 2020, we are offering,
all of us. I thought 2019 was the most on a first-come-first-served basis, a I also want to introduce our two
difficult, but also the most blessed, time $100 stipend in the form of a gift card winners of Inspector awards, which
in my life. Then SURPRISE, 2020 came for the first 30 completed Optional would have been announced at the
in, and we ALL had our lives turned inspections statewide. This will not annual meeting. Kyle Mason worked
upside down! I did not expect Zoom cover decertifications unless it required on a system of points to identify
and FaceTime to be my primary time a field visit. Required inspections are inspectors who go above and beyond
to interact with people without a mask always paid $100 by ATFS. Currently, the norm in either completing
on my face. Or that when I ran into we have 25 Tree Farms that have not inspections, as well as being involved
Walmart to get allergy medicine, I was had an inspection in more than 10 years in committees, or completing
so excited about scoring a 12-pack of as well as 88 Tree Farms that have not presentations, tours, and workshops.
toilet paper, that I called my daughter to been inspected for 6-10 years. We hope We also have it set so that the annual
tell her. Little things are big news today! that this can be a little forceful push award does not go to the same person
to getting some of those completed. year after year. Each of our winners
All that said, we are living in a different There is a limited amount of funds will receive a gift card for their efforts.
world now than we were a few short for this stipend, but we hope that, in I don’t want to leave you hanging, so,
months ago. Humans are innovative the future, it will be the standard for for the second year in a row, Ryan
and have that unique ability to change all Optional inspections. Your time is Kilborn, forester for Meadowsend
and make lemonade out of lemons, and valuable, we thank you and want you to Timberlands, completed nine Tree
use their passions to create something be rewarded. Farm inspections statewide. Ryan also
new, the force of which probably has serves on the Tree Farm Committee.
not been seen since maybe World War Last year, I had also written about He is always ready to serve and help
II and the sacrifices made during that preparing a media package for out, and he provided the nomination
time. We are resilient, and definitely inspectors to use to promote Tree
Tree Farm Inspecting Foresters and Farm. This was something that was
Tree Farmers fall into that category of overwhelmingly supported during the LOG, continued on next page
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 15VERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
LOG, continued from pg. 15
this year for our We also honor one inspector as the Tree Farm Inspector of the
Tree Farmer Year: this year’s winner is consulting forester and previous Tree
of the Year. Farmer of the Year, Alan Calfee from Dorset, Vermont. Along
Congratulations, with completing four inspections last year, Alan also serves on
Ryan! the Current Use Advisory Board, Vermont Endangered Species
Committee, Friends of Haystack, Inc. Dorset Conservation
Five more of Commission, and the William H. Calfee Foundation. In 2019,
our inspectors Alan hosted two tours on his property for the Woods, Wildlife,
completed three or and Warblers program, and led a Tree Identification Walk at
more inspections. Friends of Hildene, in Manchester. Alan has been a forester and
Those inspectors Tree Farm Inspector since 1990. His enthusiasm for forestry
Ryan Kilborn, Winner of most Inspections in 2019
were Jeremy and the Tree Farm program is contagious, and I have to say his
Turner, Richard excitement for this award was by far the best response I have
Root, Len Miraldi, Alan Calfee, and Pat Bartlett. In 2019, received. Well done, Alan!
Vermont Tree Farm had 32 different inspectors completing
71 inspections. Of those, five were new Tree Farms, with 54 I also wanted to identify all of our Top Ten point earners, in
re-inspections and 12 decertified Tree Farms. In 2018, there order of most points: Ethan Tapper, Pat Bartlett, Jon Bouton,
were 79 inspections with 23 decertified, mostly due to database Len Miraldi, Russ Barrett, Jeremy Turner, Joe Peterson, Dave
cleanup. There were four new Tree Farms, 52 re-inspections, Paganelli, and Richard Root.
and 25 inspectors completing 004s. Although those numbers
don’t seem to be that much different, the increase in the Thank you all for your efforts and extra time spent on
number of inspectors completing inspections is encouraging to inspections and so many committees and presentations,
me. I applaud you all and thank you for your time and efforts! articles, and public speaking. Maybe I am a little biased, but
I believe we have the best inspector corps in the country. I
admire your efforts and energy, and your commitment to Tree
When you consider selling your Farm, but mostly your work in the forests of Vermont. We
most valuable asset, be sure to consult couldn’t do it
with the experts. all without you.
Trusted Professionals in Land Brokerage for Over 30 Years.
Thank you,
and MAY THE
FOREST BE
WITH YOU!
Tree Farm
Inspector of the
Year Alan Calfee
from Dorset, VT
Currently for sale in Irasburg
717 acres | $1,070,000
fountainsland.com
info@fountainsland.com
8 0 2-2 3 3-9 0 4 0
16 | Membership Newsletter: Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree FarmVERMONT WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION • VERMONT TREE FARM PROGRAM
Seven Steps to Legacy but does anyone in your family want to
receive one? If they are interested, does
their vision for the future of the land
Planning Success match yours? Do they have concerns
about affording the taxes or keeping up
management practices? The answers
by Mary Sisock to these questions will help you form a
plan for a legacy that is sustainable in
Seventy-five percent of you want to just want to make sure your assets go the long run.
have your woodlands stay intact and in to whom you want and don’t care what
the family. Yet only about 20 percent happens to them when you are gone, 4. Engage in mutual goal setting.
of woodland ownerships are inherited. an estate plan will help you meet your Now that you have a clear vision and
Something is happening to derail goals. But if you are hoping to leave a know what others’ interests are, you
the wishes of woodland owners. One legacy that lasts generations, you need will probably find that there isn’t 100%
obvious culprit is a failure to plan. to make a legacy plan. Much inadequate alignment. So, the next step is to work
planning happens when people try to on finding common ground and set
People plan for things that will happen leave a legacy using an estate plan. mutual goals. This is a time to be
in the near future, like vacations, and flexible and innovative. There are many
they plan for things that may or may Seven Steps to Legacy Planning ways that multiple goals can be met.
not happen by buying insurance, but a Family meetings are a good setting to
1. Determine the need to do tax planning.
surprising number of people don’t plan accomplish this work. Having regular
Estate and Legacy planning share
for the thing that is going to happen to family meetings also gets your heirs
the same first step, which is to make
us all. Yes, it’s uncomfortable to think used to working together. If you find
an inventory of all your assets and
about. But, if you don’t make a plan for you’re having trouble with this step,
liabilities. The value of your assets
what happens when you die, the default consider working with a neutral advisor.
minus liabilities and less any charitable
will be a plan the government will contributions upon death equals the
make for you; and it’s unlikely to have 5. Identify needed advisors
value of your estate. If the value of your
the outcomes that you want. Failing to Although legacy planning can be broken
estate is less than the federal and state
plan is planning to fail. But unknown down into seven steps, it is not necessarily
estate tax exemptions, you don’t need to
to many, there is another culprit that simple work. You will at least need the
worry about tax planning. If, however,
prevents the realization of woodland assistance of an estate planning attorney.
you are near or over the limit of those
legacy dreams. That is inadequate Other advisors that may be of help during
exemptions, then you will want to
planning. Inadequate planning occurs the planning process are an accountant,
consult with a tax attorney.
when you’ve made plans but those plans a financial planner, an insurance expert,
don’t necessarily lead to the outcomes a facilitator, and your forester. Which
2. Determine what is important to you.
that you want even when on the face of advisors you need, and when, depends
Before you can make a plan that will
it seems like they should. on your individual situation. Generally,
meet your legacy planning goals, you
the more complex the situation, the more
need to be clear about what you want.
This is a good point to talk about the advisors you will need.
Questions to ask yourself include: Do
distinction between estate planning you want the land to stay in the family?
and legacy planning. Estate planning is 6. Determine transfer timing.
Do you want it to stay intact? Are there
planning that gets your things to where You can transfer your woodlands to
certain elements of how the land is
you want them to go as efficiently as your heirs before you die or after you
used or not used that are important to
possible with the least tax consequences. die, or some before and some after.
maintain over time? In what ways will a
Legacy planning is planning that gets There is no right or wrong choice, but
legacy serve future generations?
your things to where you want them to there are important tax consequences
go as efficiently as possible with the least for each. It’s important to talk to a tax
3. Determine what is important to
tax consequences and which is guided advisor about the consequences of
your potential heirs.
by a vision that governs what happens to You may want to leave a land legacy,
your bequests when you are gone. If you LEGACY, continued on page 19
vermontwoodlands.org • vermonttreefarm.org | 17You can also read
