Vermont’s forest products industry generates $2.1B in annual economic output in forestry, logging, processing, construction, woodworking, and wood energy. Source: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

NOTE: This story originally appeared in the VSJF Impact Report 2024. Click here to read the entire report.

The forest industry in Vermont and regionally is transitioning on multiple fronts—from the consolidation of businesses to exciting research happening in the woods, to developing new products like wood fiber insulation and molded fiber. VSJF’s Forest Products Program is supporting efforts to develop new products and services that could benefit the industry while continuing to support existing businesses for a strong future.

As part of this transition in the industry, VSJF is also looking beyond Vermont’s borders. We recognize that the northern forest spans several states and to make a bigger impact, we are partnering with others in the region to expand opportunities for Vermont businesses in new technologies such as the development of mass timber products, wood insulation and a host of other emerging products that utilize wood cellulose.

“Many of the solutions to (the climate crisis) lie in the vast potential of the forest industry. From legacy methods to modern innovations, the forest industry holds the keys to a sustainable future, ready to be unlocked and revitalized for the modern world.” –Melissa LaCasse, Co-Founder, Tanbark Molded Fiber Products

Our Impact

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation’s Forest Future Roadmap, released in January 2024. Christine McGowan, VSJF’s Forest Products Development Director supported the Roadmap’s development.

Our work in network development, supply chain coordination, and strategic communications over the past 8 years helped set the stage for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap, which provides a plan to strengthen and promote the industry over the next decade. Developing the Roadmap galvanized the industry and brought together various partners who are now positioned to implement the Roadmap. We are proud of the work we did to assist the Department in its development, and we are excited to support this next implementation phase.

Working to Help the Region’s Wood Basket

Our impact extends beyond Vermont. The forest economy is regional and operating in tandem is the future. Applying our experience with sector-wide work and the Roadmap, we are working to identify challenges and opportunities for the region. For example, as an advisor to Vermont’s Forestry Accelerator program, managed by Vermont State University and Do North Coworking, we have helped attract more than a dozen companies from the U.S. and Canada to help grow their businesses and plant roots in Vermont and the region. Our annual Vermont Forest Industry Summit showcased regional businesses, supported innovation, and collaborated with other states to promote those making an impact on the forest economy.

The 2024 Forest Products Summit at Bolton Valley Resort.

Why It’s Important

About 78% of Vermont is forested and keeping those forests intact and working is crucial to Vermont’s future. Working forests simultaneously mitigate the effects of climate change, provide a livelihood for rural communities, and produce innovative products like molded fiber that can replace single use plastic. But the demographics of those in the forest industry, as well as the thousands of small woodlot owners who have long depended on healthy forest products markets, skew older. Forest products businesses must attract the next generation of operators who can pursue new markets and advance these businesses as part of a thriving forest economy. Likewise, landowners facing land transition decisions must retain an economic incentive to keep their working forests into the future. Working to strengthen the industry as a whole brings together people from disparate parts of the industry to preserve Vermont’s working forests.

What We Need

Strengthening Vermont’s forest economy requires long-term investments from multiple interests, both public and private. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is an important state funder for this program and the industry, and more funding is needed to expand our impact. The Roadmap implementation will need more investment from the State to be successful.

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