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?

VNRC Co-Hosts Forums on Biomass Energy

More and more Vermonters are seeking homegrown solutions to meet our energy needs. A diverse collaborative of stakeholders is convening a series of public forums - June 2, June 9 and July 8 - to add to the dialogue about how Vermont communities might harness the potential of forest biomass to help provide renewable energy on a sustainable basis.

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

URGENT: Help Protect Vermont's Farms and Forests

The Legislature is now considering a policy that would undermine a crucial land conservation program that supports Vermont’s rural economy. Attempting to fill a budget gap, lawmakers are looking to make a significant and sudden shift in Vermont’s long-standing policy to protect and enhance our world-renowned farms, forests, and working landscape. Make your voice heard on this important issue!

VNRC Convenes Unprecedented Forest Roundtable

VNRC is currently conducting a roundtable discussion with over 60 experts in the state to identify the causes of forest fragmentation and parcelization and create workable solutions for landowners, municipalities, and state government to adequately plan for appropriate forestland conservation.

Important Farm, Forest Conservation Measure Becomes Law

Legislation to improve Vermont's Current Use Program was enacted into law on June 10, 2008. The bill makes several targeted improvements to the administration of the popular and broadly-supported 30-year-old program, also known as the Use Value Appraisal Program. Current use is widely credited with helping keep Vermont's farms and forests viable, well-managed and intact by taxing land at its use value rather than its higher development value.

Technical Assistance to Communities

VNRC is working to develop creative new planning and zoning strategies in Vermont to promote forestland conservation and reduce forest fragmentation and parcelization. We are reviewing forestland conservation planning strategies that exist in the state and developing new planning templates for municipalities. VNRC is available to assist communities on this issue in several ways.