NEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Christine Cadigan, American Forest Foundation; Andrea Shortsleeve, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department; Steve Hagenbuch, Audubon Vermont

ABSTRACT: With Vermont and northern New England forests being home to some of the highest concentrations of breeding bird species in the continental United States, our region provides essential habitat not only for bird species, but for a suite of other forest-dependent wildlife as well. Currently, over 80% of Vermont’s 4.4 million acres of forest are privately owned, making private landowners essential to forest stewardship and wildlife conservation in Vermont.

Recognizing the current and future importance of well-managed, privately-owned interior forest blocks, the American Forest Foundation, Vermont Woodlands Association, Vermont Tree Farm Committee, Audubon Vermont, Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife have partnered together, creating a woodland owner outreach program, Woods, Wildlife, and Warblers. This program focuses on connecting southern Vermont woodland owners with the necessary knowledge, resources, and professional support to the stewardship of their woods and the wildlife that inhabit them.

In this session, representatives from the American Forest Foundation, Audubon Vermont, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife will provide an overview of the program including the importance of managing Vermont’s woodlands with wildlife in mind, our outreach strategies and success stories, and our future plans to continue to increase forest and wildlife stewardship. Audience members will leave the session with an improved understanding of the importance of wildlife in woodland conservation as well as tips and tricks to engage landowners in woodland management with wildlife in mind.

Please note: this is one cohesive presentation with multiple speakers touching on different elements of a single, collaborative project.