The Rough Cut
by Christine McGowan,
Network Coordinator
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Dear Network Friends,
As I write this, I have a hard time believing May is over, except that the past couple of weeks have felt more like winter, spring, summer and fall converging at once. That may be a sign of what a COVID-19 summer will be like: a blur, and not very normal.
Vermont’s forest and wood products industry has taken multiple hits this spring, and though the state is slowly and cautiously re-opening, it will be some time before we fully understand the lasting impact of the pandemic, as well as an April paper mill explosion in Maine and the significant regional market disruption it caused, will have on our ability to recover.
By now you may know that
we decided to cancel the 2020 Vermont Forest Industry Summit
that we had rescheduled for September at Burke Mountain Resort. Large gatherings just don’t seem like a safe bet this year, and we recognize that most businesses in Vermont are consumed with just making it through the next several months. We’re looking forward to a 2021 Summit, once the coast is clear, and meanwhile we’ll be continuing to investigate new markets for forest and wood products, and new opportunities to learn and network.
I was inspired by an online webinar I attended last week,
The Role of Forest Bioeconomy in the Green Economy Transition
, hosted by the Embassy of Finland, that featured talks by forest economy experts from Finland, and also from Maine, Michigan and Arkansas all discussing ways in which
working forests
will be a major contributor to solving some of our most pressing global problems. While not the same as an in-person event, it was worth the time, and does make me wonder if we should try for some sort of virtual summit this fall in place of the in-person event that wasn't meant to be. I'd like to know what you think, so please fill out the short survey below so we can see if there's enough interest in putting something together.
Speaking of technology, a real bright spot on the horizon is the
story we just published
about a start-up in the Northeast Kingdom that is taking forest mapping to new heights. We have another in the works about how a county forester is finding new ways to engage Vermonters in the forest – without being in the forest. That's what I call making lemonade out of lemons, just in time for summer!
Send me a note if you have news to share.
Stay safe out there,
-Christine
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Dispatch from the Forest
Network News and Beyond
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Virtual Summit?
Would you attend a virtual forest industry summit this fall? Please take a minute (or less) to answer this one-question survey---->
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Would you attend a virtual forest industry summit this fall?
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86% of Vermonters Support Foresters, Loggers & Sawmills
We asked Vermonters if they agree that our industry plays an important role in maintaining the health and productivity of Vermont’s forests—
86% agreed.
When asked to identify their forest management priorities, wildlife habitat came out on top, with water quality protection and recreation not far behind. Vermonters are making the connection between good forest management and a healthy environment. Source: 2020 Vermonter Poll.
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Wood Heat is Essential to Carbon Sequestration
Jeff Rubin
over at
sustainableheating.org
shared a link to a recent article he published that looks at the role of wood heat in reducing carbon pollution from buildings while keeping carbon in our forests.
Click here to read more.
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Noteworthy Links:
Northern Logger
- article about COVID-19 impacts on the forest products industry in the Northeast.
Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in Readsboro, VT, expanding the area in Southwest Vermont that is infested.
View the updated map here
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The Overstory
Our industry has a story to tell, so settle in and enjoy some good news from around the Network. Have an idea for a feature?
Let us know
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New Technology for Vermont's Oldest Industry
We went up to the Kingdom this winter to check out a new forest inventory and mapping technology developed by Whiteout Solutions. Pretty cool! It uses LIDAR sensors attached to drones to capture detailed information about the forest— everything from individual tree diameter, species, wetland locations, and emerging health issues. They are currently piloting a project with the town of Burke to inventory roadside ash trees and prepare for the arrival of the emerald ash borer.
Read the full story here
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COVID-19 Resources
- Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) Quick Response Support for Working Lands Businesses: COVID-19 Resources.
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Upcoming Events
- June 8 - Deadline to submit nominees to woodworking.net's 40 under 40 Class of 2020.
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Vermont Forest Industry Network Steering Committee
Trevor Allard, Allard Lumber;
Liz Gleason, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board;
Dave Frank, Sunwood Biomass;
Paul Frederick, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation;
Charlie Hancock, North Woods Forestry;
Lucas Jenson, Treehouse Hardwoods and Mill Shop and Vermont Wood Works Council;
Ricky McLain, Woodworks;
Joe Short, Northern Forest Center;
Tim Tierney, VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development;
Allan Thompson, Consulting Forester
Network Coordinator:
Christine McGowan, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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