Forester Joanne Garton

On the Ground and 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.

A person smiles at the camera wearing a green shirt outside on a sunny day.

Joanne Garton

How long have you been a forester?

Technically, I’m a geologist and ecologist with work experience in urban and community forestry. I’ve been working with trees and people specifically since 2017. I’m an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.

 

What makes your region of Vermont forest unique from other areas of the state?

I live in central Vermont, so I see many Washington, Lamoille, Chittenden, and Orange county towns more frequently than those in the northern and southern reaches of the state. We have beautiful forests, lots of state and municipal land to explore, and easy access to great downtowns like Montpelier, Waterbury, Johnson, and others. Our river and stream networks are gorgeous and boast some of the headwaters to our biggest rivers in the state.

 

Where would you recommend visitors go?

If you like riding your bike on backroads, ride from Montpelier to Adamant along Center Road, then to Maple Corners along County Road (paved). Enjoy the trees and views along the way there, then take a lunch break at the Maple Corner Community Store. When it’s warm go for a swim in Curtis Pond and then ride your way back to Montpelier via Sparrow Farm and North Street. We have amazing unpaved road networks that lead to some lovely places.

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