Winnakee opened an important local forest in Hyde Park—donated to Winnakee in 2022, but not yet open to public—for a hands-on forest management workshop with landowners to learn about silviculture practices that can enhance their conservation goals.

At Robert’s Refuge, attendees learned about the regeneration challenges faced by most regional forests due to overabundant deer populations, invasives and pests and pathogens. Our Conservation Forester, Trevor Keough, demonstrated how to assess tree health and use simple data on tree vigor and quality to create a step-by-step plan for improving woodlands.

Winnakee recognizes that private landowners have a vital role to play in safeguarding our region’s landscapes and biodiversity. This program was one of many to come dedicated to empowering landowners to sustainably manage their land for our region’s future.