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Forestry
The WNRCD is a strong advocate of sustainable forestry practices, and work to ensure that Vermont’s forest land resources retain their economic, social, and ecological benefits. Forests are an important component of Vermont’s landscape providing myriad benefits to both people and wildlife. They serve as a home and refuge for countless animal species. They provide timber and maple sap to help bolster our economy. They filter and clean water. They offer countless recreational opportunities to adults and children alike. Our forestland is at risk: from development, improper management, and even climate change. Through targeted projects and programs, WNRCD is working to ensure that our forests stay healthy and continue to provide their economic and environmental benefits.
Portable Skidder Bridges Skidder bridges are a tool used by loggers to reduce stream-bank erosion when crossing rivers or streams with heavy equipment. WNRCD currently has a 17′ hemlock portable skidder bridge for rent. Please contact the District Manager at info@winooskinrcd.org if you are interested in learning more.
Use of a skidder bridge is a practice encouraged in Vermont’s “Acceptable Management Practices” (AMP’s).
To learn more about about how to install and remove a bridge and to find instructions about how to design an build your own, check out this video.
Additional Resources:
AMP manual for protecting water quality during timber harvests
Voluntary Harvesting Guidelines for Landowners
Link to FPR website page that goes over the Landowner guides to a successful timber harvest.
Caring for the Canopy
WNRCD helps communities with their urban trees, by providing support through multiple activities, including: an ecosystem service inventory and analysis using i-Tree software, tree plantings, outreach and the facilitation of the development of a citizen-run Tree-Board.
The WNRCD is currently working with the City of Winooski to care for its urban forest through the creation of a community tree program. This project is made possible through funding from the Vermont Department of Forests Parks and Recreation. As the most densely populated city in Vermont, Winooski’s urban forest has an extremely important role both socially and environmentally. Quantifying the ecosystem services provided by the urban forest, including carbon storage and stormwater absorption, will help the City of Winooski and its residents understand the makeup and function of the existing urban forest and help create a tree program that maximizes the benefits provided by trees in an urban environment. Findings from combined 2014 and 2015 inventory data are summarized and available in a brief presentation; a more in-depth look can be found in the Winooski iTree Key Findings Report and all data is available and stored on the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative’s website.
For more information about the Caring for Canopies initiative please email: info@winooskinrcd.org
Forestland Enhancement Resources