Building the New Forest Future is a webinar series that amplifies stories, practices, and lessons from community development, sustainable tourism, and rural economy in the Northern Forest. It features communities and organizations that have demonstrated innovation and progress in critical sectors.
April 28 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Intended for community leaders, funders, and policymakers, we’ll explore what it takes to create thriving rural communities across the Northern Forest.
Watch a webinar on the Northern Forest Center’s “wood-first” approach to building rehabilitation and new construction. We use our housing projects to support forest stewardship and the regional forest economy wherever possible. Center staff share the practical implications of implementing this strategy in our projects across the region – how we use new or reclaimed wood products for structures, heating, insulation, flooring, and siding, and what challenges we’ve encountered. We’ll also share how we’ve calculated the carbon benefits of this approach for a historic rehabilitation project in Maine.
Our panel includes Center staff leading these projects:
Revisit our conversation with four town leaders from across the Northern Forest region as they share how their communities have approached the topic of short-term rental regulation. Short-term rentals offer local lodging options in communities where there are limited traditional accommodations such as hotels and inns, but they have the potential to introduce challenges including strains on public resources, reduced housing stock for full-time residents, and disruptions in residential neighborhoods. The exploration of short-term rental regulations brings forth a diverse array of perspectives that each community needs to weigh.
We were joined by Emily Kilburn Politi, Town Councilor, North Elba, NY, Mike Harris, Zoning Administrator, Burke, VT, Peter Gagnon, Town Manager, Gorham, NH, and Peter Jamieson, Town Manager, Millinocket, ME.
The critical lack of lower- to middle-income housing is a threat to the vibrancy of Northern Forest communities. This webinar explored some barriers to new housing development that may be present in your town’s planning and zoning, as well as tools and techniques that communities have utilized to address these barriers.
Panelists included Vanessa Farr, Regional Manager of Planning & Design Land Development of Haley Ward, Allison Hargrave-Gaddy, Principal Planner of Lake Champlain – Lake George Regional Planning Board, and Patrick Shattuck, Executive Director of Rural Edge
For young people living in the Northern Forest, building connections with peers is part of setting down roots, but spread-out population and high median ages make finding other young people a challenge. To address this challenge, organizations and individuals across the region are stepping up to make opportunities for young people to meet and find belonging in the region.
Panelists included Jess Grant, Conservation Associate of the Adirondack Council, Dan Rogan, Katahdin Region Coordinator of Outdoor Sport Institute, Gillian Sewake, Director of Discover St. Johnsbury, and Sam Trombley, Marketing Director of Granite Outdoor Alliance.
Many communities in the Northern Forest have already experienced devastating floods. In this webinar, we gathered leaders from around the region to discuss what communities can do before they experience flooding, through proactive work to build resilience and mitigate future disasters.
Panelists included Kelley Tucker, Executive Director of the Ausable River Association based in Wilmington, New York, Philip Cloutier, Director of Emergency Management and Fire Chief in Gorham, New Hampshire, and Ned Swanberg, Regional Floodplain Manager at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation and manager of Flood Ready Vermont.
Public art, in many forms, helps build a welcoming and engaged community. We heard from leaders across the region to share how art has transformed their communities. Panelists included Emilie Allen, Vice Chair of Saranac Lake Arts & Culture Advisory Board, Rick Ufford-Chase, Director of Newport City Downtown Development, and Kate Webb, Program Director of Bethel Area Arts and Music.
Many young people want to engage in their communities. We discussed how to support the next generation of leaders in our communities. Panelists included Tyler Adkins of the Town of Monson, ME, Jordanna Mallach of the Town of Harrietstown, NY, Chloe Maxmin of JustME for JustUS and Dirtroad Organizing, Sam Mayne of the Town of Lancaster, NH, and Michael Olio of the Town of Richford, VT.
We discussed the power and potential that entrepreneurs and small businesses bring to your community and what you can do to support, attract, and retain local businesses. Panelists included Tim Clough of Iron Furnace Brewery, Nathaniel Klein of Treeline Terrains, James Munn of Black River Valley Natural, and Beth Weisberger of Gneiss Spice.
Is your community prepared for the effects of climate change? We examined what communities can do today to ready themselves for environmental changes. Panelists included Sam Evans-Brown of Clean Energy New Hampshire, Josh LaFountain of the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Scott Vlaun of Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, and Cameron Wake of the University of New Hampshire.
We discussed the value of community owned and managed forests and how to develop them. Panelists included Gabe Perkins representing the Bethel Community Forest, John Scarinza representing the Randolph Community Forest, and Ted Siegler representing the West Windsor Community Forest. With background and regional history from Julie Renaud Evans of the Northern Forest Center.
We explored how organizations and schools are preparing young people for emerging career opportunities in the Northern Forest. Panelists included Dave Harkless of Littleton Bike and Fitness, Levi Irish of Cold Hollow Career Center, Korah Soll of Rural Aspirations, and Donna Wotton of Ticonderoga Revitalization Alliance.
We explored the challenges and opportunities of recreating in our unique landscape. Panelists included Abby Long of Kingdom Trails Association, Mike Morin of Access Fund, Sean Ross of Lyme Timber Company, and Josh Wilson of Barkeater Trails Alliance.
We explored how the housing crisis is being addressed in some very different markets. Panelists included Marla O’Byrne of Island Housing Trust, Susan Bradford of Community Concepts, Dan Kiefer-Bach of Living ADK, and Laurel Will of the Northern Forest Center.
We explored the importance of welcoming communities and how to create them with leaders from across the region. Panelists included Nicole Hylton-Patterson of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, Maire Folan of the Northeast Kingdom Welcome Wagon, and Amber Lambke of Maine Grains.
We explored the need for broadband and how to roll it out in your community with leaders and experts from across the region. Panelists included Brad Roscoe of Chesterfield, NH, Dave Wolf of Development Authority of the North Country, Christa Shute of NEK Broadband, and Mia Purcell of Community Concepts Finance Corporation.
We explored the notion of integrating recreation into community with trail blazers from across the region. Panelists included Lee Dassler of Western Foothills Land Trust, Jason Hunter of Coös Cycling Club, Hub North, and Big Day Brewing, and Joe Fox of Noble Fox, St. Johnsbury Academy, and Town of St. Johnsbury.
The changing economy has left communities behind, requiring new and local-based economic and conservation strategies to reconnect people and place. Why do we need a “new forest future?” What does it look like, and how do we get there? Panelists included Janet Topolsky of the Aspen Institute, Rob Riley of the Northern Forest Center, and Gillian Sewake of the Discover St. Johnsbury.
Featuring industry experts and business leaders, we’ll explore a variety of topics that affect the entire forest products economy of our region, including federal policies, workforce challenges, technological innovations, and forest stewardship.
We joined regional forest policy advocates and liaisons for a panel discussion on federal forest policy as it currently stands and its impacts – good or bad – for forest management, land conservation, on-the-ground research, forest-based economy, and more. Our panelists walked us through various “levers for change” including executive branch actions, budget and fiscal policy legislation, President’s discretionary budget proposal, annual appropriations, and stand-alone legislation.
Panelists included Dana Doran, Executive Director, Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast; Steven Roberge, Extension Forestry Specialist and Professor, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension; Mandy Warner, Senior Director of Policy, Appalachian Mountain Club; Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
We joined professionals and practitioners across the region for a panel discussion on programs that incentivize landowners to deploy forest management practices to increase carbon sequestration and storage. We explored what programs are out there – from cost-share programs to voluntary carbon markets, from commercial landowners to small-scale family landowners. Our panelists discussed what these programs are, how they work, and what is next for them.
Panelists included Daniel Hohl, Commercial Lands Forester, New England Forestry Foundation; Jim Shallow, Director of Resilient and Connected Lands, The Nature Conservancy; and Tim Stout, Landowner, Jockey Hill Farm/Northam Forest Carbon.
We joined four entomologists from across the region to discuss what forest pests are, what they mean for our trees, and how they are impacting our landscape and forest economy. Our panelists introduced us to state and federal agencies and their work in research, early detection, and monitoring programs; strategies for protection and minimizing damage; efforts to control infestations and spreading; and actions citizens can take to minimize forest health problems. Panelists included Kyle Lombard of NH Forests and Lands – Forest Health Bureau, Allison Kanoti of the Maine Forest Service, Michael Bohne of the U.S. Forest Service, and Kathryn Aroian of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
We joined three of the seven authors of the new report Beyond the “Illusion of Preservation” for a discussion of the report content and the imperative laid out for the future of New England’s forests. The report addresses the imbalance of wood production and wood consumption in New England and encourages taking regional responsibility by protecting forests, reducing consumption, and expanding ecological forestry in New England. Panelists included Paul Catanzaro of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Caitlin Littlefield of Conservation Science Partners, and Dr. Tony D’Amato of the University of Vermont.
Co-hosted with the Alliance for Green Heat, we joined three researchers for a discussion on carbon emissions and modern wood heat systems. We dove into what forest ecology and life cycle assessments tell us about the climate impacts of modern wood heat, from the forest to the flame. Panelists included Dr. Alexandra Kosiba of the University of Vermont, Dr. Robert Malmsheimer of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Dr. Thomas Buchholz of Spatial Informatics Group.
We joined three leaders for a conversation on the opportunities and challenges that come with opening working forestlands to recreational users. We discussed how recreation on both public and private lands has changed, what management approaches are used across the region to balance both land uses, and what tools landowners can use to educate visitors about forest systems, management, and harvesting. Panelists included Josh Sjostrom of the U.S. Forest Service, Hannah Stevens of Seven Islands Land Company, and Ethan Tapper of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
We joined three leaders for a conversation on the importance of forest management for long-term forest health and resiliency during an age marked by climate change and development pressure. We discussed what this means both in theory and in practice, why it is important, and what challenges and successes they have experienced. Panelists included Ali Kosiba of University of Vermont, Kevin Evans of Dartmouth College, and Steve Tatko of Appalachian Mountain Club.
We joined three industry professionals in a discussion on their work in bringing mass timber, wood fiber insulation, and biochar to market within the Northeast. We explored their creation stories, what these new products are, and how markets are opening possibilities for new uses of wood from the Northern Forest. Panelists included Amelia Baxter of WholeTrees Structures, Donna Pion of Green State Biochar, and Jason Todd of TimberHP.
The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center and the Northern Forest Center engaged in a discussion with Julie Laforce, President and Director of Organizational Development at Built By Newport, a Newport, Vermont-based business that is implementing technology solutions to challenges.
We joined four industry professionals in a discussion on the current state of the wood heat sector in northern New England and New York. From domestic wood heat policy and technology to pellet mill production and commercial/institutional wood heat systems, we also discussed residential consumer behavior and upcoming trends. Panelists included John Ackerly of Alliance for Green Heat, Hannah Campbell of Maine Energy Systems, Mark Froling of Froling Energy, and Kelli Ramsey of Curran Renewable Energy.
We explored three wood products businesses that are exceptional examples of incorporating their story into their marketing, highlighting stewardship, connecting to community, chain of custody and supporting other local businesses. Panelists included Charlie Shackleton of Shackleton Thomas Furniture, Morgan Dix of DCI Furniture, and Mike Friedland of Lumbery.
We held a Q&A session with Charlie Levesque, primary author of an analysis that assessed growth opportunities in wood markets in New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The reports cover Timber Projections & Supply Chain; Regional Attributes, Weaknesses and Opportunities for Wood Market Maintenance and Growth; Forest Products Selection & Benchmarking; and Possible Forest Products Re-Development Real Estate Sites.
This series elevates outdoor recreation from both sides of the equation, for residents and visitors. Topics will range from stewardship, workforce, planning, infrastructure and more.
We hosted a panel conversation with recipients of the Northern Forest Center’s Community Recreation Grant program to discuss how modest investments in equipment and programs can be leveraged to make a significant impact on increasing access to the outdoors and fostering a connection to place.
We were joined by Laurie House, Executive Director, Elizabethtown Social Center, Kelly Starr, Executive Director, Adaptive Sports Partners, and Sarah Carter, Volunteer Coach and President, Oxford Hills Outing Club.
This summer, UNH Sustainability Fellow Caleigh Mullins began establishing groundwork for a potential Northern Forest Outdoor Recreation Guidebook. Caleigh presented case studies she developed and recommendations for others pursuing outdoor recreation projects, followed by a facilitated conversation among participants about what kind of additional examples and resources they’d look for in a toolkit.
Caleigh was joined by Center staff with expertise in community recreation projects: Maura Adams, Julie Renaud Evans, Joe Fox, Leslie Karasin, Mike Morin, and Amy Scott. As well as the Director of the New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development, Janel Lawton, to discuss their own Rec Ready NH Toolkit that is in development.
We hosted a panel discussion on successful trail improvement projects in Vermont focused on climate resiliency and erosion mitigation. Through an innovative Natural Resources Conservation Service grant program administered by the Northern Forest Center, we are sharing successes and best practices that can be applied throughout the region for sustainable and resilient trail building and maintenance.
We were joined by Alicia DiCocco, Deputy Director, Green Mountain Club, Steve Petrik, Executive Director, Southern Vermont Trails Association , and Merrick Gillies, Project Manager, Vermont Huts and Trails.
Due to technical difficulties, this webinar was regrettably cut short. Please reach out to Isabella Ronson for follow up materials.
We had a conversation with non-profit leaders from around the region who are pursuing their missions to welcome more people into outdoor spaces. We learn from their successes in serving traditionally underrepresented segments of the population and explore opportunities for people to bring to their communities.
Our panelists discuss why their programs are important for inclusive and vibrant outdoor recreation in our region. Joining us: Zach McCarthy, Founder and Executive Director of Inclusive Ski Touring, Kari Taylor, Director of Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative, and Klarisse Torriente, recreational enthusiast, volunteer, and writer in the Adirondacks.
The 2024 Northern Forest Outdoor Recreation Symposium convened 180 leaders from across the region to learn and generate shared regional action ideas to help people, communities, and businesses benefit from the growing outdoor recreation sector. This webinar provided an overview of the event proceedings and outcomes by representatives of the Northern Forest Center and Northern Border Regional Commission, followed by a panel discussion featuring:
This conversation highlighted representatives from around the region who have been planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse in April. We discussed how communities have been preparing for an influx of visitors, as well as providing programming for residents.
Our panel included:
This conversation discussed managing trails through the winter months while addressing adaptations to climate change, safety, multi-use considerations, and more. Our panelists were Justin Preisendorfer, Leader of the Eastern Region Winter Sports Team at the White Mountain National Forest, Dave Harkless, Board Member of PRKR MTN Trails & Owner of Littleton Bike and Fitness, and Matt Williams, Executive Director of Catamount Trail Association.
This conversation highlighted leaders from each state’s recreation sector to discuss the role of recreation in the state’s economy and initiatives they are working on to advance the industry. Panelists included Jackie Dagger, Manager of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, Janel Lawton, Director of the New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation, and Carolann Ouellette, Director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.
We invest in people and communities and build long-term partnerships and local capacity to sustain community pride, purpose, and vitality.
We bring new ideas and resources to accelerate innovation and secure regional prosperity.
We pioneer new strategies for rural community economic development at the national and regional levels.
