Most of Vermont’s forests are young, having been cleared within the last 200 years, and the old forests once dominated Vermont’s landscape are extremely uncommon. Besides being rare, old forests are diverse, resilient, and provide important habitats for wildlife. This talk will focus on what old forests are like (it may surprise you!), why they’re important, and how forest management can help make Vermont’s young forests more like old forests, creating many of the unique conditions and habitats found in old forests centuries sooner than they would naturally occur.

As the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Ethan Tapper advises private landowners, municipalities, conservation organizations, foresters, and loggers on the responsible stewardship of forests. Ethan also writes a column for 10 community newspapers and for Northern Woodlands magazine, maintains a YouTube channel, and leads public events throughout New England which are attended by thousands of people each year.

This adult program is part of a series produced by the Hanover Garden Club in partnership with the Montshire Museum of Science located in Norwich, Vermont. It will be held both in person (with yummy refreshments made by our members!) and via Zoom.

Click here to register for the Zoom link.