Resilient Right-of-Ways: A guide to community stewardship of Vermont backroads provides all municipalities with a better understanding of the elements we see in Vermont's roadside vegetation and the best practices that can grow and sustain resilient plants, trees, and forests in municipal right-of-ways. Informed by 200 miles of rural roadside assessments and input from over 60 local volunteers and municipally focused professionals, this guide provides resources for community stewards planning for site-specific tree and forest management that increases roadside resilience in the face of frequent disturbances (i.e. road construction, storm damage, and mowing) and long-term constraints (i.e. budget limitations, changing regulations, and increasing forest pests and disease).
Read more about right-of-way vegetation and its place in Vermont's Urban & Community Forestry program in this City Trees article, Resilient Right-of-Ways: A Tale of Urban Forestry in a Small-Town State.

Resilient Right-of-Ways Guide
Use this guide to learn more about typical roadside vegetation along Vermont's backroads and the challenges and best practices associated with maintaining them.
Download the Guide by Topic
Introduction
Elements of the Vermont Backroad
Processes for Backroad Stewardship
- Know your partners and understand their goals
- Support diverse and native roadside trees and plants
- Prepare for emerald ash borer and manage ash tree health
- Address hazard trees with the tree warden
- Develop a tree ordinance or policy
- Develop a roadside mowing policy
- Understand the role of trees in updated stormwater regulations
- Maintain backroads and ditches to specifications
- Create and maintain a public relations plan for roadside vegetation management
- Keep abreast of funding opportunities
Roadside Vegetation Action Plans
Calais
Charlotte
Piloted the Roadside Ash Inventory Tool, learn more about the tool.
East Montpelier
Hyde Park
Johnson
Marshfield
Panton
Plainfield
Tinmouth
Contact Joanne Garton with questions about the Rural Road Resilient Right-of-Ways initiative.