Green Mountain National Forest

Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermont, a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest typical of the New England/Acadian forests ecoregion. The forest supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, coyote, black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse. The forest, being situated in Vermont's Green Mountains, has been referred to as the granite backbone of the state.

Green Mountain National Forest
Location in the United States
Location in Vermont
LocationVermont, United States
Nearest cityRutland
Coordinates43°57′N 73°04′W
Area399,151 acres (1,615.31 km2) federal
421,889 acres (1,707.32 km2) other[1]
EstablishedApril 25, 1932[2]
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
WebsiteGreen Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
Map of Green Mountain National Forest

Established in 1932 due to uncontrolled overlogging, fire and flooding, the forest originally consisted of 102,100 acres (413 km2); however, only 1,842 acres (7.45 km2) were federally owned, while the remaining 100,258 acres (405.73 km2) within the national forest boundary were not federally owned or administered.[3] As of 2011, the forest boundaries included 821,040 acres (3,322.6 km2), of which 399,151 acres (1,615.31 km2) were federally owned and administered.[1] GMNF is one of only two national forest areas in New England, the other area being the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

In descending order of land area, GMNF is located in parts of Bennington, Addison, Rutland, Windham, Windsor, and Washington counties.[1] The forest headquarters are in Rutland, Vermont, alongside those of Finger Lakes National Forest though that forest is in New York state.[4]

The forest contains three nationally designated trails, including parts of the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, as well as the Robert Frost National Recreation Trail. The forest also includes three alpine ski areas, seven Nordic ski areas, and approximately 900 mi (1,400 km) of multiple-use trails for hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and bicycling.[5]

The forest benefited from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Forest revenue is generated by recreation fees (such as at Mount Snow, Stratton Mountain and Bromley Mountain ski areas) and timber sales. About 42 acres (17 ha) were set aside for forest regeneration in 2009. Planned expenditures include road construction, recreation and heritage, and wildlife management. Projects in the latter category include: land/water modification in support of ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, bear, trout, salmon, Bicknell's thrush, and the plant Jacob's ladder. The emerald ash borer is a threat to Vermont's trees.

Wilderness areas

There are eight officially designated wilderness areas in the Green Mountain National Forest (from north to south):

Approximate area Created by
acres ha
Bristol Cliffs Wilderness 3,750 1,520 Eastern Wilderness Areas Act of 1975
Breadloaf Wilderness 24,986 10,111 Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984
Joseph Battell Wilderness 12,336 4,992 New England Wilderness Act of 2006
Big Branch Wilderness 6,725 2,722 Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984
Peru Peak Wilderness 7,825 3,167 Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984
Lye Brook Wilderness 18,122 7,334 Eastern Wilderness Areas Act of 1975
Glastenbury Wilderness 22,400 9,100 New England Wilderness Act of 2006
George D. Aiken Wilderness 4,800 1,900 Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984

Each of these wilderness areas is wholly located in Vermont and is managed by the United States Forest Service as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. As such, these areas are off-limits to all motorized and mechanical vehicles, including bicycles.

Recreation areas

There are two officially designated recreation areas in the Green Mountain National Forest (from north to south):

Approximate area Created by
acres ha
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area 15,857 6,417 New England Wilderness Act of 2006
White Rocks National Recreation Area 36,400 14,700 Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984

The latter includes both the Big Branch Wilderness and Peru Peak Wilderness within its boundaries.

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See also

References
  1. "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. January 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  2. "The National Forests of the United States" (PDF). ForestHistory.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  3. "Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests". Outdoor.com. 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  4. "Staff". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  5. "About The Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests" (archive). fs.usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
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