VT Coverts: Membership/Cooperators
The Vermont Coverts Cooperator Training Program.
Since 1985, over 400 Vermont woodland owners have been trained as Vermont Coverts Cooperators. They work to improve the quality of management on private forestlands with a special emphasis on wildlife habitat. They represent all counties and nearly half the towns in the state. All have completed a 3-day training program and most have participated in additional courses and programs on forest management. As forestland owners, they are personally involved in the decisions required to create and carry out a forest management plan.
The Vermont Coverts Cooperator Training Program is an opportunity
to learn more about forest management and wildlife habitat/management.
Topics covered include forest ecology, silviculture, responding
to natural disturbances, Vermont wildlife species and their
habitat requirements, and an introduction to forest and wildlife
policy issues. The program includes indoor and outdoor presentations
led by a variety of private and state natural resource professionals
(foresters and wildlife biologists). These days and evenings
are both educational and fun as participants learn a lot from
the professionals and from each other the "Cooperators in training" -
the 20 landowners/class participants from around the state.
In return, Vermont Coverts asks that participants agree to "spread the word" about sound forest and wildlife management in whatever way they are comfortable - for example talking with neighbors, participating in local planning efforts to protect these resources, or conducting a workshop on their property.
Good candidates for this program are forestland owners who are local area residents and who have a desire to learn forest and wildlife management. They must be good communicators and have the time to contribute to community activities. If you can check off any of the criteria and you are interested in the workshop, complete and submit the application. The program is held in the spring and again in the fall. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION. [13 KB PDF]
Coverts Cooperators have influenced the management practices on over 200,000 acres of forestland. Here are some of the typical comments from Vermont forestland owners who have worked with or become Vermont Coverts Cooperators:
- "In less than two years after making the small patch cuts, I have noticed an increase in both deer and ruffed grouse on my property."
- "By laying out the logging trails in advance we were able to create a wonderful network for exploring the woods - grandchildren love it."
- "We wanted to work with a forester after talking with Jack (a VT Coverts Cooperator). He really opened our eyes to the many goals that can be reached by a management plan."