Vermont Wildlife a Public Trust Resource

“There are strong parallels between the public's broad interest in our waters and its broad interest in our wildlife," said Jamey Fidel, VNRC's forest and biodiversity program director. “This law affirms that our wildlife, like our waters, are to be held in trust by the state for the benefit of all Vermonters.”

VNRC and Fish & Wildlife Issue Report - A Decade of Progress: Wildlife Considerations in Local Planning

Vermonters overwhelmingly want to conserve wildlife habitat such as deeryards, trout streams, and bear habitat. Cities and towns have made noticeable strides in improving attention to wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation, and nearly every municipality recognizes wildlife habitat as an important local resource, according to a recent report issued by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

The report, Wildlife Considerations in Local Planning – An Evaluation of a Decade of Progress in Vermont, was based on a detailed assessment of all municipal plans and related zoning bylaws and subdivision regulations adopted by Vermont communities.

Support ANR’s Recent Decision on ATVs

Your help is needed to support the Agency of Natural Resources’ recent action to
repeal a Douglas administration rule allowing ATVs onto state lands in Vermont. The Agency of Natural Resources is now moving forward with this repeal. The ANR needs to hear from you that they are doing the right thing. They are accepting comments at an upcoming public hearing and through written comments.

VNRC Releases Report on Vermont Subdivision Trends

Subdivision, fragmentation and the conversion of forestland are threatening the economic and ecological integrity of the Northern Forests. Subdivision and land conversion can negatively affect plant and animal species, wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational access, and the ability of forests to sequester and store carbon. They can also affect the contiguous ownership, management, and viability of forest parcels to contribute to the region’s rural economy. While subdivision and conversion pressures have been identified as problems for decades, there has been no systematic tracking of trends to inform planning or resource management.

The research in this report is intended to inform land use planning, focus forest stewardship and wildlife conservation efforts, assist with the administration of the Use Value Appraisal Program, and aid in the development of baseline data for various smart growth, climate change, and forest management policies.

VNRC Co-Hosts Successful Forums on Biomass

In June and July 2010, VNRC co-hosted three forums around the state to create and elevate a strategic discussion about the potential role of biomass in Vermont's energy future. Below is a synopsis of the goal of the forums, the principles that the sponsoring organizations offered as a way to frame the dialogue and all of the notes from the forums.

Vermonters Look to the Woods for Fuel

A cord of wood neatly stacked in a Vermont dooryard has long been a symbol of Vermont’s centuries of self-sufficiency and clever-Yankee use of our local, natural resources.

Now, however, more than ever, spawned by dwindling supplies of traditional fuels, rising energy prices and increasing interest in energy independence, Vermonters of all stripes and persuasions are asking: Should Vermont tap its forests, more than it does today, to meet our energy demands?

Help Keep ATVs Off of State Land

Opening state lands to ATVs is shortsighted, ill-conceived public policy. And now is the time to elevate this critical issue and stop the idea in its tracks.

WCAX – Rules of the Ride: Lawmakers Review ATV Plan featuring VNRC's Forest Program Director Jamey Fidel

WCAX: TV coverage of plans to allow ATVs on Vermont State lands featuring VNRC's Forest Program Director Jamey Fidel

ATVs and Public Lands