The Center advances its mission through network-based programs to create jobs, leverage investment and conserve forests for community benefit. Our program strategy focuses on locally grounded projects to secure tangible benefits for the region’s people, communities and ecosystems. Here is how we do it:
Community Vitality
Partner with community leaders to implement projects that attract and retain residents who value quality of life and connections to the forest. More
Automated Wood Heating
Catalyze market demand for high-efficiency, automated wood heating systems to support the forest economy, reduce heating costs, keep dollars circulating locally, reduce net carbon dioxide emissions and generate millions of dollars of positive economic impact in the region. More
Wood Products Innovation
Assist wood products manufacturers to implement innovations and advance worker training and career opportunities. These programs help businesses become more competitive, enabling them to sustain and create living-wage jobs. More
Community Forests
Advance creation of locally-owned and managed community forests that conserve forestland and generate economic and community benefits such as recreational tourism, timber income and outdoor classrooms. More
Tourism
Strengthen the tourism segment of the economy to enhance visitor experiences and improve job opportunities in rural communities. Programs deliver direct business assistance and advance quality-based branding and destination development. More
Tax Credit Financing
Facilitate New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financings that provide capital for and subsidize multimillion dollar projects that promote the forest-based economy while also providing community and environmental benefits. Eligible projects include working forestland, outdoor recreational tourism, renewable energy, logging and forest products manufacturing. More
Regional Strategy
Advocate for the needs of the Northern Forest’s communities at the state and federal level. The Center brings a unique regional perspective, grounded by specific local projects, to each state capital and the region’s congressional delegation and federal agency staff in Washington, D.C. to help shape public policy and secure federal funding for the Northern Forest. More
"Our working landscape is an incredible economic, environmental and community asset. The Center has developed programs that can boost income and create jobs in forest-based businesses and generate community benefits from the landscape. This is exactly what we're striving to do in Vermont"