Join the Fellowship of the Wheel and Outdoor Gear Exchange on Saturday, January 18 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM for a walk of an active timber harvest at the Hinesburg Town Forest (HTF) with Ethan Tapper, Chittenden County Forester!

Under the supervision of Tapper, forest management at the HTF began in winter 2018-19 and will continue this winter from the Economou Road access to the HTF. The goals for the forest management are to increase diversity of tree species, sizes, condition, and spacing, improve wildlife habitat, encourage growth and development of a holistically healthy forest and to improve the resilience of the HTF to climate change and natural disturbances. At the same time, Tapper hopes to demonstrate modern, responsible forest management in an open, transparent and inclusive way, and to highlight Vermont’s working landscape and the sustainable production of local, renewable forest products. Over the course of this winter the trees designated for harvest by Tapper will be cut, shipping the resulting forest products to local markets. Income generated from the harvest will be used to conduct stewardship projects, including trail maintenance and invasive species control on Hinesburg’s two Town Forests, the HTF and the 301-acre LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest.

This walk will happen rain or shine. Participants should be ready to spend a couple hours outdoors walking (but also standing and talking) over uneven surfaces in whatever weather we find ourselves in. OGE will be there too with hot cider and snacks for your walk!

**We will be meeting on Economou Road at the plow turn around at 1:00 PM. If you can, park at the Hinesburg Town Hall and carpool, since space is limited.**