Catamount Community Forest demonstrates forest management for climate adaptation

Public invited to learn more about a unique project in Williston

Vermont Business Magazine

Introduction

After three years of planning, the Catamount Community Forest (CCF) in Williston is set to begin forest management activities aimed at enhancing the forest’s ability to adapt to climate change. This project, called “Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change,” is a long-term research initiative conducted in partnership with the University of Vermont. The CCF, owned by the Town of Williston, aims to contribute to a better understanding of responsible and adaptive forest management practices in the face of a changing climate.

Goals and Objectives

“The primary goal of this work is to improve our understanding of how to care for forests in a changing climate,” states Ethan Tapper, Chittenden County Forester with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. “At the same time, we will be demonstrating responsible forest management for biodiversity, wildlife habitat, local renewable resources, and more.”

Project Details

The project will cover approximately 25 acres of the CCF’s total area of 393 acres. It will involve selective tree cutting and creating gaps in the forest’s canopy to encourage new growth. The retention of “legacy trees” and leaving dead wood on the ground are also part of the practices to promote forest diversity and complexity, resembling an old growth forest.

Partnership and Implementation

The Town of Williston will collaborate with LaFoe Logging LLC., an award-winning logger, under the supervision of Ethan Tapper, to carry out the forest management activities. Wood harvested from the project area will be sent to local mills, and the proceeds will be reinvested in improving the health and habitat of the CCF.

Importance of Messiness in Forests

“A more holistic view of forests reveals that many elements considered ‘messiness’ by most people, such as dead wood, dead-standing trees, canopy gaps, and multiple ages and sizes of trees, are actually crucial for forest resilience, adaptability, and biodiversity protection. Instead of attempting to ‘clean-up’ forests, this project aims to redefine what a healthy forest truly looks like,” explains Tapper.

Public Engagement

To enhance public understanding of the project, Ethan Tapper is collaborating with various organizations including the University of Vermont, Vermont Land Trust, Audubon Vermont, Green Mountain Audubon Society, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Coverts, Vermont Woodlands Association, and City Market Co-op. They will be organizing a series of walks and events throughout the summer at the Catamount Community Forest.

Learn More

Sign up for the Chittenden County Forester’s email list to stay updated on the planned Catamount Community Forest walks and events. Additional information can also be found on the project’s online portal.

Source

8.10.2023. Williston, VT – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier Website

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

– Under SDG 13:

– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters

– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

– Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning

– Under SDG 15:

– Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services

– Target 15.2: Promote the sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

– Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

– Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production

– Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula

– Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

– Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

– Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators