Heartwood Vermont Our Vermont Woods

Most of us are familiar with the idea that having a diversity of species can lend resiliency to an ecosystem, but how often do we stop to consider the pros and cons of having a diversity of tree species in urban settings? What does an “urban” forest even mean in largely rural Vermont? In this episode, we talk with city arborists and watershed conservationists about these questions and what they mean in terms of resilience to invasive forest pests in the forest where we live. Check out our full show notes for features guests, educational resources and transcript. 

Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton.

Music featured in this episode:


“Bells Picnic” by Daniel Birch is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
“Birds Eye View” by Daniel Birch is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
“Brushed Bells Leaving Home” by Daniel Birch is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
“Playful Nature” by Daniel Birch is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
“Moonglow” by Podington Bear is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0
“Jenner” by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

Full list of music and sound credit.

In this episode, we dive into the cultural and ecological impacts of losing black ash to emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that threatens our region's ash trees. We talk with an Abenaki basketmaker, a research forester, a county forester, an ecologist, and a landowner to learn what’s at stake, and what Vermonters can do to help keep ash, specifically black ash as part of our region's culture and our ecology.

For more information about emerald ash borer, visit: Vtinvasives.org. Check out our website for more resources, featured guests, a full transcript, and to learn how to get involved: https://www.ourvermontwoods.org/episode-6-show-notes. 

Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton. Photo of Kerry Wood leaning against a black ash tree.

Music and sounds featured in this episode:


“The Marsh” by Podington Bear, CC BY-NC 4.0 (soundofpicture.com)
“The Sheltering Firs” by Podington Bear, CC BY-NC 4.0 (soundofpicture.com)
“The Peninsula” by Podington Bear, CC BY-NC 4.0 (soundofpicture.com)
“Forest Edge” by Podington Bear, CC BY-NC 4.0 (soundofpicture.com)
“Children By The Creek”  by Podington Bear, CC BY-NC 4.0 (soundofpicture.com)
“Unit” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
“Leatherbound” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
“Akonan” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
“Steph” by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
Forest recordings by National Park Service

Let’s return to our human-forest connections. Familiar voices consider why Vermont woodlands matter from a variety of perspectives.

Hosted by Kate Forrer and Lisa Sausville. Produced by Leah Kelleher. Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton.

Check out our website for transcripts, featured guests, and more information: https://www.ourvermontwoods.org/heartwood

Music featured in this episode:


The Woods by Axel Tree
Thread Jessup by Blue Dot Sessions
Not Tired Bells by Daniel Birch
Bird Language by Chad Crouch
The Marsh by Chad Crouch
The Channel by Chad Crouch

Photo of Ken Gagnon, owner of Gagnon Lumber in Pittsford, VT. Photo courtesy of VT Sustainable Jobs Fund. Photo credit: Erica Houskeeper

In this episode, we revisit the roles of forestry professionals and meet the practitioners who harvest, process, and market wood products.

Hosted by Kate Forrer and Lisa Sausville. Produced by Leah Kelleher. Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton.

Check out our website for transcripts, featured guests, and more information: https://www.ourvermontwoods.org/heartwood

Music featured in this episode:


The Woods by Axel Tree
Thread Jessup by Blue Dot Sessions
Not Tired Bells by Daniel Birch
Bird Language by Chad Crouch
The Marsh by Chad Crouch
The Channel by Chad Crouch

Photo of Brian Lafoe and Stan Parker, owners of Lafoe Logging. Photo courtesy of VT Sustainable Jobs Fund.

Five technical service providers discuss how they help Vermont landowners along their forest management journey.

Hosted by Kate Forrer and Lisa Sausville. Produced by Leah Kelleher. Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton.

Check out our website for transcripts, featured guests, and more information: https://www.ourvermontwoods.org/heartwood

Music featured in this episode:


Pacific Wrens by Chad Crouch
The Cove by Chad Crouch
The Fir Grove by Chad Crouch
Sandpiper Waltz by Chad Crouch
Ginger by Chad Crouch
Bells Picnic by Daniel Birch
Bells at Work by Daniel Birch
Earth Angel by Siddhartha Corsus

Photo courtesy of VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Four woodland owners share their journeys owning and caring for their forests.

Hosted by Lisa Sausville and Kate Forrer. Produced by Leah Kelleher. Theme music was written and performed by Joanne Garton.

Check out our website for transcripts, featured guests, and more resources: https://www.ourvermontwoods.org/heartwood

For more information about the Forestry Use Value Appraisal portion of the program, contact your County Foresters.

Consulting Foresters assist private landowners in identifying and achieving goals for their woodlands. In Vermont, all foresters offering services to landowners for a fee are required to be licensed.

Music featured in this episode:


Thread Jessup by Blue Dot Sessions
Approaching the Beach by Chad Crouch
Sandpiper Waltz by Chad Crouch
The Cove by Chad Crouch
Junco Relations by Chad Crouch
Bird Language by Chad Crouch

Photo courtesy of Lisa Sausville, VT Coverts