Imagine a landscape blanketed in trees as far as the eye can see, where vibrant maples, spruces, and birches stretch across rolling hills and quiet valleys. Welcome to Vermont, one of the most forested states in the US, with 78% of its land covered in trees. But these forests are not just beautiful; they are essential to the state’s economy, communities, and way of life. 

In our latest #forestproud vlog, we spoke with Oliver P., Director of the Vermont Division of Forests, and Katharine S., Forest Economy Program Manager, to learn how Vermont is managing its forests for both people and nature. 

Forests and Communities Taking Care of Each Other

Oliver leads a team focused on managing public lands, supporting private landowners, and helping cities maintain healthy urban forests. Katharine works on the business side of forestry, connecting foresters and loggers with markets for their products and ensuring the forest economy thrives. Together, they shared how Vermont keeps that balance between recreation, conservation, and economic growth through active forest management. 

Vermont’s forests contribute $2.1 billion to the state’s economy each year. That includes everything from high-quality timber to low-grade wood used for heating and energy. Low-grade wood, like branches and smaller logs that might otherwise go unused, plays a key role in keeping forests healthy. By thinning trees and sustainably harvesting this wood, Vermont maintains wildlife habitat, protects water quality, and supports landowners while providing energy to local communities. It is a model that shows how healthy forests and healthy economies go hand in hand. 

Local Wood, Local Good

Did you know that 1 in 5 public school students in Vermont attend a school heated with wood? These schools save 18% on annual heating costs, a critical benefit in rural districts. Through programs like “Feel Good Heat” and “Wood Warms,” Vermont ensures that wood energy is accessible and supports low-income households, even providing cords of wood from state timber sales to families in need. For more than 50 years, these programs have connected the state’s forests with the people who rely on them, helping communities while keeping forests intact. 

Vermont and Maryland: Fueling the Future

Vermont’s work does not stop at its borders. Katharine emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge across states, like collaborating with colleagues in Maryland through projects such as Fueling the Future. These partnerships help ensure forests remain forests while supporting the people and industries that depend on them. Watch the Wood Innovations Program film here 

Vermont’s forests are more than trees; they are the roots of strong communities, a renewable source of energy, and a living example of how people and forests can grow together.  Watch our full conversation with Oliver and Katharine to see how forests and communities grow together here