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Women Owning Woodlands VT is an initiative of Vermont Coverts, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Woodlands Association, UVM Extension, Vermont Department of Forests Parks and Recreation and Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Black Mountain, Dummerston VT - Photo by Lynn Levine
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We are marching on, whether it be in the rain, snow, or sunshine! As I'm writing this, it is currently snowing after having just poured last night. Seems like a classic March in Vermont to me! I hope you all have been able to get out to enjoy the tropical weather we have been experiencing, and maybe have even spotted some wildlife out and about as well. We all had a great couple of weekends interacting with members and learning (and laughing about) tree ID, management, indigenous knowledge, soil science, historical knowledge and more! From our WOW Team, we all want to say thank you for participating and engaging with us all on these topics! We heard many requests for more events like this, so keep an eye out for future events we will be planning. On Saturday March 19th we have an upcoming walk in the woods, find out more below under Events.
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Winter Tree ID Reflections
By Samantha Poratti, WOW Intern
Just look up, said WOW Team member Nancy Patch. This was probably the third or fourth time we were being reminded of this effective yet often easily forgotten tree ID technique. Don’t worry Nancy, I don’t believe many of us will forget it anytime soon! I decided to attend the Belvidere Winter Tree ID event that Emily Potter and Nancy Patch, both county foresters, were holding on a cold Saturday morning. The sun was shining, thank goodness, and we were all bundled up almost beyond recognition. Instantly upon arrival however, members were calling out to each other in warm greetings. The newbie members in the circle, myself included, began introducing ourselves as we waited in chilly anticipation.
Getting out early on a Saturday morning and bracing the cold was certainly worth it, I was able to hear from a variety of passionate folks about all sorts of topics related to tree ID. I learned from a soil scientist about nutrients and how that affects the species of trees present. Information was shared from local members about maple trees used in sugaring productions in the area, stories from Braiding Sweetgrass provided alternative perspectives and indigenous views on the trees we were identifying, and different management strategies to help increase and promote diverse forests were discussed with great interest! We were all so engaged, that at times we had to force ourselves to change topics and move around to stay warm! I learned so much, my current knowledge was reinforced and expanded, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting members and hearing stories that all the participants brought with them.
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This seemed like it was a common theme among the other WOW Tree ID events in Waltham, Guilford, and Montpelier. Hearing from WOW Team members, it sounded like a lot of us were engaged, meeting new members, and many expressed similar appreciations for being able to be back outside together. I personally can’t wait for more opportunities to meet more woodland enthusiasts, and to learn more about Vermont forests!
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WOW Tree ID Webinar
Did you miss the last webinar or want to refresh your memory on tree ID?
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The Nuts and Bolts of Harvesting Trees: What to expect when you conduct a timber harvest on your land
When: March 19th, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Hinesburg Town Forest
Managing the forest on your property can be a daunting project to undertake. But, when done correctly, forest management can benefit landowners and forest ecology in multiple ways, including increasing the diversity of tree species and ages, enhancing habitat for songbirds, protecting soil and water quality, and improving forest health.
Join Women Owning Woodlands Vermont (WOW VT) to view a forest management project being implemented in the Hinesburg Town Forest. Together we’ll explore the ins and outs of this project and cover tree identification, wildlife habitat improvements, logging equipment, layout of woods roads to protect soil and water quality, marking trees using science-based principles, and any other questions you may have. WOW VT programs are tailored towards those who identify as female, but all are welcome to participate.
To register for the event, click here.
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We want to see your photos! We love seeing what our fellow members are up to in Vermont's natural world this time of year, so please send any pictures you'd like to share to wownetvt@gmail.com
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Hardwick Woods - Photo by Heather Davis
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Women in Forestry Oregon State Lecture Series
Join the Oregon State University's Starker Lecture Series 2022 happening throughout the coming spring!
For more information and to register, click here.
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We are here and ready to help answer any questions you may have regarding forestry, land management, regulations, policy, ID, and more!
Please send questions to wownetvt@gmail.com
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If you have any comments, or ideas for future events please feel free to reach out! You can email us at wownetvt@gmail.com or call Lisa Sausville at 802-877-2777.
The WOW VT Team
Andrea Shortsleeve, VT Department of Fish and Wildlife
Beth Holtzman, UVM Extension
Caitlin Cusack, VT Land Trust
Emily Potter, VT Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation
Kate Forrer, UVM Extension
Kathleen Wanner, VT Woodlands Association
Lisa Sausville, VT Coverts
Marli Rabinowitz, Forest landowner, VT Woodlands Association Board of Directors
Nancy Patch, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Samantha Poratti, VLT AmeriCorps
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