Are you a NorthWoods supporter? Catch up on our events and achievements of the past year by reading the newly released 2012 Annual Report!
“An exciting and productive year at NorthWoods came to an unfortunate close with the total loss of our heating plant building in a late November fire, just as winter temperatures were settling into northern Vermont. Though challenging to staff and operations, the loss offered a reminder of the value of occasional renewal and regeneration—a lesson taught daily in our forest classroom. The outpouring of support in building materials, volunteer labor, and encouragement from a broad network of friends was incredible, and has helped us to not only rebuild, but to improve on past facility design and system efficiency.
The themes of growth and renewal were common at NorthWoods in 2012, never more so than in July, when the Center received a two-year grant from the Canaday Family Charitable Trust to establish a Forest Stewardship Institute (FSI) focused on teaching and modeling science-based sustainable forestry practices. At the heart of this Institute is the Lydia Spitzer Demonstration Forest, a 1,480-acre tract acquired and donated to NorthWoods with the specific goal of restoring a forest that had been degraded by past land use.
The year also heralded the beginning of plans to develop new facilities on our main campus area, including a long-desired bunkhouse and conservation headquarters, as well as new staff positions, new partnerships, and new programming.
NorthWoods finds itself in a period of dynamic growth and opportunity as we approach our 25th anniversary, and we are mindful and thankful of the many supporters, project partners, and funders that have helped us to grow, to prosper, and to better serve the ecosystems and communities of our great north woods.”
– Jayson Benoit (Operations Director) & Nancy Engles (Board Chair)