Vermont cherishes its scenic landscape of mountains, lakes and rivers, its wildlife heritage, and its strong rural lifestyles and traditions. Products from our forests and farms are renowned world-wide; its outdoor recreation opportunities are popular and diverse. It is not surprising, therefore, that Vermont is desirable as a place to live, visit, and conduct business.

Our forest land, natural resources, and outdoor recreation opportunities are a big part of our identity. Forests comprise 78% of the landscape, provide habitats for a great many species of plants and animals, and are a valuable, renewable, and sustainable resource supporting many products, jobs, and recreational activities. Tourism and recreation, increasingly significant components of the state’s economy, are also strongly tied to our natural resources.

Vermont's future, of course, will be shaped not just by what goes on within its borders, but by forces well beyond: international markets, competing regional and national interests, different economies, and human demands on natural resources. In this state where land is largely (83%) in private ownership and control, we - public and private sectors alike - must continue to work together in partnerships and with cooperative action to help recognize, meet, and manage these forces to our mutual benefit, to have the kind of Vermont we collectively want. We must also manage our resources within, not beyond, the natural capacity of the land to produce them.

For our part, and for the resources and opportunities within our purview, the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has a distinct and important role to play.