The Rough Cut
by Christine McGowan,
Network Coordinator
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Dear Network Friends,
I have a love-hate relationship with mud season in Vermont. I loathe the never-ending muddy boots, muddy dogs, and muddy car. But when I venture beyond the dirt roads, there are all kinds of incredible activities happening in the woods – migrating songbirds coming back to breed; ephemeral wildflowers making their brief appearance before retreating back into the carpet of green; foxes, bears and other mammals introducing their offspring to the world. Those of you who work in the woods for a living are fortunate to get to regularly witness Vermont’s forests coming alive in Spring. I envy you as I wait impatiently for the ground to dry so I can get back out on the trails!
Along with that good news, I’m excited let you know that we’re planning to host the next Vermont Forest Industry Summit June 9-10, 2022 back at Burke. Mark those calendars for 2022!
Speaking of gatherings of people, Vermont LEAP’s spring workshops are underway and will be in-person, following state guidance. And, LEAP is also about to launch a new-and-improved website that will make keeping track of your LEAP credits a lot easier! If you didn’t already receive the spring schedule, email Dave Birdsall for the latest information and stay tuned for the new website.
If you’re still stuck inside, or just need something to listen to while you’re in the woods or in the shop, our friends over at Our Vermont Woods have launched a new Podcast called Heartwood, a 5-part series connecting Vermonters to our forest economy. Episode 1 can be found here.
Meanwhile, we recently caught up with the folks at VerMod Homes, a Vermonter-owned business in Wilder that is making it a priority to focus on sustainable, affordable housing stock, which can be hard to come by these days. Read our latest story about VerMod.
Get out and enjoy the sunshine while you can find it!
Stay safe out there,
-Christine
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Dispatch from the Forest
Network News and Beyond
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Green Building Awards
The ninth annual Vermont’s Greenest Building Awards, hosted recently by the Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN), recognized seven projects and design/build teams. The projects received awards for achieving the highest standard of demonstrated building energy performance for commercial and residential buildings and documentation of green building strategies including health, transportation, water and affordability. (Photo courtesy of award-winner The Energy Mill)
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ThinkVT Adds Forest Products
Vermont's Department of Tourism has re-launched the website ThinkVT to promote living and working in the Green Mountain State. As part of the overhaul, they've added forest products as a sector, and you may recognize a few photos that the Vermont Forest Industry Network provided for the new site. Check out the new site 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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A Vermonter's Approach to Sustainable, Affordable Housing
Kristen Connors and her uncle, Steve Davis, founded VerMod Homes with a mission to build affordable, healthy, net-zero, modular homes. The homes are healthy to live in and good for the planet, says Connors, and fill a real need for affordable housing in Vermont. Click here to read the story!
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COVID-19 Resources
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Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) Quick Response Support for Working Lands Businesses: COVID-19 Resources.
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Vermont Forest Industry Network Steering Committee
Trevor Allard, Allard Lumber; Dave Frank, Sunwood Biomass; Paul Frederick, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation; Liz Gleason, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board; Charlie Hancock, North Woods Forestry; Lucas Jenson, Treehouse Hardwoods and Mill Shop and Vermont Wood Works Council; Ricky McLain, Woodworks; Michael Rainville, Maple Landmark; Joe Short, Northern Forest Center; Michael Snyder, Commissioner, VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recration; 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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