Innovations in Forest Stewardship Bring Hope for our Islands Ecosystems

Summer 2023 Newsletter

Since the last ice age, South Hero’s landscapes have changed quite a lot. The land where we live now was once a seabed; then forests and meadows; then cleared for sheep and dairy farms. Most recently, some of the forests have grown back, alongside development of new houses and roads. And now, with the arrival of the invasive emerald ash borer, our landscape is poised to change dramatically again.

Ash trees make up an estimated 40-60% of all the trees in Grand Isle County, a higher percentage than any other county in Vermont. With 95-99% of all ash expected to succumb to this invasive insect, we are poised to lose half our County’s mature forests in the next 10-15 years. This will be a “landscape level ecological upheaval,” to borrow a phrase from Nancy Patch, Grand Isle County Forester. It will also have devestating cultural impact for the Abenaki people, whose lives have been entwined with the ash beginning with their creation story. But there is much we can do to save our forests.

South Hero Land Trust is working with volunteers on an ecological forest management project at the South Hero Recreation Park. By removing invasive species and planting climate-forward tree species that can thrive in the shade and wet conditions in the understory, we are hoping to protect the future of this forest for future generations. It all goes to plan, the tree plantings will fill the gaps left behind by the dying ash trees. This proactive approach allows us to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem in the face of climate change and invasive emerald ash borer, protecting the homes of many species of wild plant and animal life which call the Recreation Park home. It will also preserve the habitat of the ash trees, so that resistant varieties can be protected and one day re-planted.

With funding from the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program and the South Hero Congregational Church, we hope this small project can not only save the future of this public forest, but also act as a demonstration site and catalyst for inspiring forest landowners across the Islands to take up similar efforts.

Many other experimental projects like ours are being carried out across Vermont and the Northeast. Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen. But we can learn from them and work together to make sure our forests thrive and continue to provide the benefits like biodiversity, clean air, clean water, carbon sequestration, and natural beauty.

If you want to learn more about ecological forest management, or funding opportunities or support available to forest landowners, email Guy at Guy@shlt.org