Welcome

Vermont’s forests are a valuable resource. Covering more than 4.6 million acres, Vermont is 78 percent forested, making us the fourth most heavily forested state in the country. This forested ecosystem provides the basis for natural communities, wildlife habitats, scenic landscapes, and recreational opportunities. As a natural resource, forests provide an important economic base for employment, tourism, and recreation, and support a diverse forest products industry. Livable communities and our quality of life depend upon healthy, sustainable forests.

The Division of Forests mission is to assure that the forest resources of Vermont serve the long-term needs of society by promoting a balanced and diverse approach to management, use and protection of the state’s woodlands. Our mission is fulfilled through the broad programs of managing Agency lands, monitoring the statewide condition of forests, and helping private landowners as stewards of their forestland. Additionally, programs assist communities in urban and community forestry, protect forests from large-scale outbreaks of diseases, insect pests, and wildfire, assist the wood-using industry, and provide educational opportunities on forestry subjects to all ages.

Program highlights may be found by viewing the individual program pages.