Managing the ACF

The ACF is protected with a conservation easement, held by VLT. In addition to preventing subdivision and development, the conservation easement also creates some special protections for  sensitive and unique features , like unusual natural communities, streams, and vernal pools.

In 2018, Richmond used a robust pubic process to create a  Management Plan  for the ACF, which established some additional rules and restrictions for the parcel and guidance on its management.

In 2019,  Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester  for the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) created a  Forest Management Plan  (FMP), which added specific data and plans for managing the ACF's forests over the next 10 years.

This FMP also divided the ACF into three  Management Intensity Zones , each of which covers about 1/3 of the ACF. Within each one of these Zones, different levels of forest management with different types of equipment was allowed. Differing recreational trail densities were also recommended.

By dividing the forest into these Management Intensity Zones, the ACF is modelling a progressive approach to forest stewardship; the idea that diversity is important both within an individual forest and on a landscape-level, and that across the landscape there is value both in responsibly managing forests and in letting some areas be left unmanaged.

In addition to about 1/3 of the ACF being unmanaged, the ACF's FMP also dictated that 20-25% of any managed areas should be left as an un-managed "control" to demonstrate the differences between managed and unmanaged forests.

As part of the FMP, some forest management was recommended in Zone 2. The goal for this work was to employ an  ecological forestry  approach to make this area more complex, diverse and resilient and to create improved opportunities for a diverse array of wildlife species.

Equally important was the goal of demonstrating responsible forest management in an open, transparent and inclusive way.

One of the main goal for this project was to encourage the regeneration of white pine (Pinus strobus) and red oak (Quercus rubra). Both of these species are more likely to regenerate when soils are "scarified" (the top layer of the soil is "scuffed-up") and from timing forest management to coincide with one of their periodic "mast years," when they produce a bumper crop of seed.

In late summer of 2020, both red oak and white pine were laden with acorns and cones, creating perfect timing for this work. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to conduct in-person outreach, like  in a similar project at the Hinesburg Town Forest , so we were forced to get creative.

Instead of holding in-person events, we held virtual events: webinars examining the project from a variety of different angles, including  wildlife ecology ,  songbird habitat ,  ecological forestry ,  carbon and climate change ,  emerald ash borer (EAB) , and  ecology and conservation . We partnered with a variety of different conservation partners to deliver these events, including the  Vermont Land Trust,   Audubon Vermont , the  Vermont Dept. of Fish and Wildlife ,  Vermont Coverts ,  Vermont Woodlands Association ,  Vermont's Urban and Community Forestry Program  and Vermont's Climate Forester ( Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation ).

Unlike in-person events, these events could be recorded, so that anyone could watch them any time. They were posted on the  Andrews Community Forest Playlist  of the  Chittenden County Forester's YouTube page , so that anyone could watch them anytime.

Before the project began, the public was invited to take self-guided tour of the area to be managed. At the trailhead, QR code links directed visitors to download the  Avenza Maps  app and a georeferenced PDF map of the forest management area. Using these tools they could navigate through the project area and see the trees marked to be cut.

Interpretive signage was hung throughout the ACF, with QR code links to resources, allowing visitors to the ACF to learn more about the project and its goals.

Once the project got underway, the Chittenden County Forester created and posted regular short (~3-5 minute) videos to the  Andrews Community Forest playlist , giving updates and addressing additional nuances and details of the project.

Written updates were provided for the public via an online  blog ,  Front Porch Forum , and through  press releases  and  articles in community newspapers .

All this information was gathered together in a  Andrews Community Forest LinkTree , where all the links and information about the project were displayed in a single location, and was publicized through the ACF's  Facebook  and  Instagram  pages.

The project wrapped up in June, 2021. About 60 acres were managed (managed areas shown in yellow) and 60 acres were left unmanaged (pink).

The public are welcome to visit the management area and see the work for themselves. You can navigate through the managed area using the Avenza Maps app and  this georeferenced PDF Map .

Some firewood from the project was donated to  Wood for Good , a Jericho-based non-profit dedicated to providing heat for Vermonters in need, and hemlock logs from the project have been milled into boards to be used for bridges on the ACF's recreational trails.

Additional income from the project will be used to fund trail projects, invasive plant control and other ongoing stewardship of the ACF; helping make this amazing property a greater cultural, educational, ecological and recreational resource to Richmond and the region. 

To learn more about the Chittenden County Forester's work, visit his  LinkTree . You can also check out his  YouTube page  or sign up for his  email list . He can be reached at  ethan.tapper@vermont.gov .