Backyard Woods Course

The Vermont Backyard Woods Course is designed for homeowners with less than 25 acres who want to learn more about the woods in their backyard: what’s in it, who (wildlife) uses it, and how they can become better caretakers of it.

The course explores the following themes: An Introduction to Your Backyard and Beyond; Getting to Know Your Woods; Backyard Woods Projects; Developing a Backyard Woods Action Plan.

About the Course

  • This is an introductory course, designed to give landowners basic skills and connect them to resources available.
  • The self-paced course is hosted online and is composed of 4 sections. Each section has videos and activities that are to be completed on your own schedule.
  • Participants will be invited to join drop-in webinar sessions with experts.
  • There will be two optional in-person walks.
  • Check out the Backyard Woods Program topics here.

Who should join this course?

  • Homeowners who own 5-25 acres.
  • Homeowners who want to become more active stewards of their land, but don't know where to start.
  • Homeowners who want to learn general ecology in Vermont.

By the end of the program participants will:

  • Understand why their backyard woods matter, the benefits it provides, and how it contributes to Vermont’s forest landscape.
  • Identify natural history and cultural features in their backyard woods.
  • Identify and rank stewardship goals and objectives for their property.
  • Develop a stewardship action plan with a project schedule and plan for implementing stewardship activities.
  • Increase awareness and connection to resources and organizations available to assist landowners in post-course activities.

Course Schedule

October 1- November 30, 2021

This is a self-paced course, hosted online and accessible when you have time to complete the materials. All events below are optional.

  • October 5, 7pm: Welcome Webinar
  • October 13, 7pm: County Forester Q&A Session
  • October 26, 7pm: County Forester Q&A Session
  • November 4, 7pm: Discussion
  • November 7, 10am: Walk with County Forester, Williston
  • November 16, 7pm: County Forester Q&A
  • November 30, 7pm: Discussion

*Another walk will be scheduled soon.

Registration

Registration is currently closed for this course. Sign up here to be notified of the next offering.

Questions?

Contact Gwen Kozlowski at gwen.kozlowski@uvm.edu or 802-651-8343, ext 506.

 

PLANT. LIVE. GROW.