FOREST FRAGMENTATION & PARCELIZATION ROUNDTABLE

Convened by Vermont Natural Resources Council

September 18, 2006 - 9:00 to 3:00

Langevin House, Vermont Technical College, Randolph, VT

Agenda

 

9:00  - 9:15         Welcome and Update on the Roundtable Process

                             Jamey Fidel, Forest Program Director, VNRC

                             Future Topics, Roundtable Product

 

                             Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord, Inc.

                             Review Draft June 27 Meeting Summary

 

9:15 - 10:45         Facilitated Discussion on the Values that are Impacted by Forest                                   Fragmentation and Parcelization

                              Andy Whitman, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

 

10:45 – 11:00       Break

 

11:00 - 12:00        Updated Trend Information/Data and Perspective on                                                       Parcelization and Forest Fragmentation in our Region

                              Brett Butler, US Forest Service

 

12:00 – 12:50      Lunch (place dots on lists)

 

12:50 – 1:10        Overview and Role of Information From Values Discussion

 

1:10 – 1:30          Discussion on Scope of the Roundtable Focus (urban vs. suburban                                    parcelization, large vs. small acreage parcelization, etc.)

 

1:30 – 2:30          Panel Discussion with Woodland Owners and Managers

Questions posed to panel members:

1. Provide a brief background on your role as woodland owner/manager.

2. What are some of the pressures facing forestland owners including keeping forestland intact for the long-term?

3. To what degree does development (housing/subdivision, etc) factor  into the management of woodland in Vermont?  

4. What efforts have you undertaken to relieve property tax pressures, maintain the economic viability of forestland, and/or maintain the intact nature of property that you manage or own? Is this a long-term solution?

5. In general, is forest fragmentation or parcelization a concern to you as a woodland owner/manager? If so, from what perspective?

 

 Peter Upton - Landowner

 Bill Schmidt – Woodland Owners Association

 Jeff Smith – Meadowsend Timberlands, Inc.

 

2:30- 2:40            Conserving the Landscape by Supporting a Value-Added Forest                              Products Economy

                              Paul Costello, VT Council on Rural Development

 

2:40 – 3:00          Wrap Up and Next Meeting

                                      Jamey Fidel