What makes an old forest special?  What does an old forest look like?  Why do we need old forests, and how do we manage the forests of today to function more like old forests? And how does management for old forest conditions fit into a landscape level approach to managing our region’s forests?  Come join the 2024 Forestry and Conservation Series to learn the answers to these questions and more! All talks are free, open to the public, and will take place in the COC Activity Center at 7:00pm on the Tuesdays below. Here’s the line-up:

Understanding old forests, and what makes them unique

Tuesday May 28th, 7:00pm

Liz Thompson (Independent Ecologist and Co-author of Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont) – Old forests capture a special place in our imagination, and they provide important ecological functions. Join a discussion to learn more about what old forests look like (it’s not always what you expect!), why they matter, and where they are found in our state and region.  

Understanding ongoing conservation efforts

Tuesday June 18th, 7:00pm

Bob Zaino (Natural Community Ecologist with Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Co-author of Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont) – Learn about ongoing efforts to find, map, and conserve old forests in Vermont. Take a virtual tour of some of Vermont’s most fascinating old forests. Finally, learn about efforts to enhance old forest representation as part of broader conservation vision for Vermont.

Wildlife and old forests

Tuesday July 16th, 7:00pm

Jill Kilborn (Nongame Bird Project Leader, VT Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) – Learn about wildlife and old forests in Vermont. What old forest characteristics are important for wildlife, and what species are more likely to be found in these places.  

Management strategies to develop old forest conditions

Tuesday August 6th, 7:00pm

Anthony D’Amato (Professor and Director of UVM Forestry Program and UVM Research Forests) – Learn about ecological silviculture and forest management strategies to promote old forest development.  Discussion will include old forest structural characteristics and active strategies to enhance both the health of your forest as well as promote the development of old forest characteristics. 

Ecological silviculture in action at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center  

Tuesday October 1st, 7PM

Rick Morrill (Northern Forest Conservation Services) and Jared Nunery (Orleans County Forester) will introduce the landscape setting of the COC trail network and discuss the local application of ecological forestry and silviculture. We will explore how practices and strategies discussed during the summer lecture series are being applied right here in Craftsbury. There’s more going on in the woods than you might realize skiing over the trail system – come learn how you might integrate some of these practices into the management of your forest.