Northern Forest Center

06/17/2026

‼️ Calling all Vermont-based trail managers!
Join us for a full-day workshop on smartphone-based tools for trail planning, mapping, and maintenance. The workshop will give participants a hands-on introduction to mobile mapping technology on Mt. Ascutney's trail network. Attendees will practice collecting trail data, documenting infrastructure, and flagging maintenance issues in the field, while learning how to seamlessly transfer data between their phone and computer. No prior GIS experience is necessary.
📆 July 21, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
📍 Ascutney Outdoor Center in Brownsville, Vermont
💸 Registration is $25
🤝 Our partners include Upper Valley Trails Alliance, Community Geographics, and CRO Planning & Design

https://donorbox.org/events/936780/steps/choose_tickets

The training is made possible through a USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service grant.

06/16/2026

We are proud to support the work of WholeTrees Structures in their commitment to using regional wood in innovative ways. Check out their story in this inspiring video!

06/15/2026

For Passumpsic Bank, investing is never just about a building or a transaction. It’s about strengthening the communities people choose to build their lives in.

“Why we invest is deeply personal because our customers are our neighbors, our business owners, our families, and our communities. At Passumpsic Bank, there’s no separation between the success of the bank and the well-being of the places we call home" said Jim Kisch, President of Passumpsic Bank. "When local businesses thrive and families can build stable lives here, we all move forward together.”

That values-driven approach is what makes Passumpsic Bank such a natural partner to the Northern Forest Center. This shared approach aligned naturally when the Center stepped in to redevelop the historic 1909 armory at 560 Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The project transformed an underutilized building into nine new homes and two commercial spaces, meeting urgent housing needs while investing in the heart of the community.

https://northernforest.org/why-we-invest-passumpsic-bank-vermont/

06/11/2026

The Northern Forest Center is pleased to unveil the Lacs et frontière, or Lakes and Border gravel route. This gravel bike optimized bikepacking route starts and ends in Newport, Vermont and leads riders through the rolling terrain of VT's Northeast Kingdom and Québec’s Eastern Townships. Riders will enjoy gravel roads and dedicated bike paths along the shorelines of three major lakes, through a national park, and past village cafés, wineries, and breweries.

This project was led by The Northern Forest Center, as part of our work to develop the conditions that lead to rural vibrancy. We worked on behalf of Newport Downtown Development and in close partnership with the Eastern Townships Tourism Association, MRC de Memphrémagog, and Vélo de montagne Cantons-de-l’Est, who all provided invaluable assistance in route development and verification as well as translation advice. Ride mapping and promotional support was provided by CRO Planning & Design and Community Geographics, with funding support provided by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) via a grant to Newport Downtown Development. Website hosting for route information has been provided by NEK Gravel. Check out their website at nekgravel.org for even more great ride opportunities in the Northeast Kingdom of VT or easterntownships.org for suggestions on where to ride in Québec.

Check out this great video and hear more about the route from outdoor recreation manager Joe Fox.

https://youtu.be/KMq5nE0LfUc
Newport Downtown Development
Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est
NEK Gravel
MRC de Memphrémagog
Vélo de montagne Cantons-de-l'Est

The Lacs et frontière, or Lakes and Border gravel route is a gravel...

06/10/2026

As the summer approaches, we are excited to share a new resource developed by our 2025 UNH Sustainability Fellow, Caleigh Mullins. “Successful Outdoor Recreation Projects in the Northern Forest: Case Studies and Key Takeaways” catalogs nine case studies that highlight tactical tips for starting community outdoor recreation projects.

Outdoor recreation case studies serve as valuable examples of how communities can activate local assets, build meaningful partnerships, and create long-term value through recreation.

06/09/2026

This past spring has been a busy one for schools across the Moosehead-Katahdin region of Maine thanks to Extended Learning Opportunity programs designed to provide students with hands-on learning and career exploration.

As part of this year's programs, over 30 students toured Johnson Outdoors Camping and Watercraft in Old Town 🛶⛺ and New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket 🚵 to see first-hand what a career in outdoor recreation looks like.

These opportunities are made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grant secured by the Center and by the collaboration of several partners including Maine Outdoor Brands, Maine Development Foundation, and Rural Aspirations Project.

https://northernforest.org/maine-students-explore-outdoor-careers-at-johnson-outdoors-manufacturing-facility-in-old-town-and-the-new-england-outdoor-center-in-millinocket/

06/05/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Communications, Emilie Allen, MA, MFA. Emilie brings to the Center a deep, lived connection to the Northern Forest region and more than a decade of communications experience across mission-driven organizations. We are so pleased to have her on our team!

06/03/2026

💭 In the Center's latest "What We're Thinking" piece, Outdoor Recreation Manager Joe Fox shares his reflections on public engagement in forest management planning on community owned land in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

https://northernforest.org/public-process-and-public-lands/

06/02/2026

📢 Final call to apply! Deadline June 5, 2026.
The Forest Business Accelerator is seeking startups in the U.S. developing new or improved forest and wood products, materials, technologies, or services. If your work supports a more innovative and resilient forest economy, we encourage you to apply.
🔗 Apply at https://forestaccelerator.com/cohort-2026/

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is re-launching the Forest Business Accelerator to provide forest business startups and seed stage businesses with a comprehensive commercialization curriculum and connections to industry experts, customers, suppliers, partners, pilots and investors.

06/01/2026

You won't want to miss it! Join the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation for a discussion on timber management of the White Mountain National Forest.
🕡 Wednesday 6/3, 6:30-8:00 PM
📍 Mad River Coffee House, Campton NH

Sense of Place is a collective of partners whose mission is to connect the public to their natural resources through place based community forums and outdoor field experiences.