ON THE GROUND IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS
Vermont’s foresters are charged with overseeing conservation and land management projects in the Green Mountains. That means they get a lot of face time with the stars of Vermont’s renowned fall foliage show, the trees, including red and sugar maples, poplars, beech, and oak. Here, learn about Vermont foresters sharing their view from the woods as leaves change from green to red, orange, and yellow.
Name: Rick Dyer
County/ Region: I cover Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties for a grand total of 2.4 million acres.
How long have you been a forester? I have been a forester for my entire career of 21 years and counting. I have been with FPR for the last 10 years and was a consulting forester before that.
What makes your region of Vermont forest unique from other areas of the state? All of Vermont is unique so I’m pretty sure that there is no right answer. If I had to say what sets my region apart from other parts of the state, it would be the large tracts of forest that wrap the mountains and valleys in a continual blanket of trees. This is the working forest for the communities that live here. My region is one of the most active for logging and when combined with other activities like sugaring and recreation, it makes for a lively place with lots of opportunities to have fun and explore while also earning a living.
Where would you recommend visitors go? That’s a tough question, because I cover such a large area. Route 12 from Worcester to Elmore is always a beautiful drive . . . in the fall, the Worcester Range looks like it has been sprinkled with Skittles! It’s always nice to catch the view of Lake Willoughby from Sentinel Rock in Westmore. Driving along Route 105 from Island Pond to Bloomfield is also nice, especially when the tamaracks are changing color later in fall. I love the color contrast between the tamarack’s yellow needles and the vibrant green of the surrounding spruce and fir. If you’re looking for a hike, I recommend any of the trails throughout the Worcester Range. The views from the top of the Range are well worth the effort!
