The
Mission of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is:
To practice and encourage high quality stewardship of Vermont’s
environment
by:
- monitoring and maintaining the health, integrity and diversity of important
species, natural communities, and ecological processes;
- managing forests for sustainable use;
providing and promoting opportunities for compatible outdoor recreation; and
- furnishing related information, education, and service.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and
Recreation (FPR) is responsible for the conservation,
and management of Vermont’s forest resources, the
operation and maintenance of the state park system, and the promotion and support
of outdoor recreation for Vermonters and our visitors. In addition, FPR is
responsible for the acquisition, planning, coordination and administration
of all Agency of Natural Resources lands. Department employees are stationed
throughout
Vermont including offices in Waterbury and at five regional locations.
The Department has four divisions:
The Forestry Division coordinates the planning and implementation
of all stewardship activities on more than 300,000 acres of state-owned forest
land. The division
provides technical assistance to private landowners, at their request, to help
them manage their properties. It administers the Use Value Appraisal Program
on private land, involving more that 9,000 landowners and 1.4 million acres.
The Urban and Community Forestry Program provides assistance to communities
for the planning, planting and care of street trees and town greenscape trees.
The Forest Resource Protection section is responsible for detecting, reporting
on and monitoring stresses on trees and forests due to insects, diseases, air
pollution and fire. Marketing and Utilization section personnel inventory and
promote the manufacture of forest products in the state and assist businesses,
communities and others on issues related to wood products and energy generation
from wood.
The State Lands Division conducts Agency of
Natural Resource (ANR) lands acquisitions, coordinates long-range management
planning for ANR
lands and updates state comprehensive outdoor recreation planning. It is responsible
for property surveys and boundary and deed research, produces maps and maintains
property records of ANR lands, and administers leases and licenses for special
uses of ANR lands.
The State Parks Division provides outdoor recreation
facilities, primarily through Vermont’s popular State Parks. The division
manages 52 Vermont State Parks .The Division is charged with offering high
quality opportunities
for outdoor recreation that is compatible with the conservation of Vermont’s
natural resources and aesthetics, provides environmental education and information
and supports the economies and values of local communities. State parks promote,
operate and maintain a large and complex system of conserved lands and historic
and modern facilities enjoyed by well over half a million visitors every year.
The Administration Division supports the other three
divisions with oversight, direction and coordination of policy, legal, contractual
and financial operations.
It supports the information and education functions through print and electronic
communications. The division processes and maintains records for accounts and
budgets. Administration also oversees the Vermont Recreation Trails Grant Program
and Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program. It is directed by the Commissioner
of the Department.
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