The Windham Regional Woodlands Association is sponsoring a presentation by Windham County Forester Sam Schneski on Vermont's Use Value Appraisal Program on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 7:00pm at 130 Austine Drive, Holton Hall 4th Floor, Brattleboro, VT.

The Use Value Appraisal Program (UVA), also called "Current Use" or "Land Use" and established in 1980, is arguably the most successful state program for conserving Vermont's working landscape. By achieving a greater equity in property taxes on undeveloped land, the program has kept forest and agricultural land in active production. Another key to the forest land program is the commitment to manage the land to a state-defined standard.

Signing and submitting a forestry plan is only the first step for a landowner. You are joining a statewide community of forest stewards. There is much to learn about your own forest, and there is continuing correspondence with the county forester,your consulting forester, and the current use arm of state tax department.

Whether enrolled since the beginning, recently enrolled, inherited enrolled land, or you bought your wonderful piece of Vermont and transferred UVA enrollment to your name, this program will provide important information regarding what your responsibilities as a steward of Vermont forestland entail.

Sam will touch on the following topics and answer your questions:

~Requirements to enroll and maintain status in UVA
~What do you manage for (wildlife, timber, sugar bush)
~How to pick a forester, what is in a forestry plan, how can you tailor it to your own goals
~What are the benefits of an approved plan and eventual harvesting
~Where else to go for information? Can I visit properties with different management practices