The Natural Resources & Forestry Program allows students to gain practical skills through introductory experiences with forest products, wildlife management, conservation practices, outdoor recreation, maple syrup production, soil and water quality analysis, urban tree management and landscape design/installation.

College Connections: articulation agreementswith
Paul Smith’s College (3 credits)
University of Maine at Fort Kent (up to 6 credits)
Unity College ( up to 6 credits)

Certifications

Game of Logging 1-4
OSHA Agricultural Safety Certification
Logger Education and Advanced Professionalism
American Heart Association Heartsaver®️ CPR/ AED
Wilderness First Aid Certification
Stop the Bleed (American College of Surgeons)

APPLY

Advisory Committee

David Birdsall— Northeast Woodland Training
Katie Sliles— Rutland NRCD
Mark Raishart – VT Dept of Forest Parks and Recreation
Tim Smith— Rutland City Forester Arborist
Ken Gagnon— Gagnon Lumber
Corey Hart— VT Dept Fish and Wildlife
Joe Epler— Rutland City Assistant Arborist
Melinda Hart — Vermont Farm Food Center

This program helps students interested in conservation and natural resource management gain skills, knowledge and experience while developing valuable relationships with industry professionals. Students will be involved in practical experiences related to the forest ecology, outdoor recreation, wildlife and fisheries science, soil and water quality analysis and conservation, heavy equipment operation, landscape installation and conservation-related construction projects. The natural areas of western Vermont become the lab as students explore working forests, conservation and recreational areas, nurseries and farms, and processing facilities.

What We Do

Outdoor laboratories– 4,000 acre Rutland City Watershed and various private lands, Career Exploration and related college guidance, meet professionals through site visits, field trips, competitions and community service activities, learn about residential landscaping as part of the Student Craft house project, raise seasonal vegetable and landscape plant seedlings.

Entry Requirements

Recommended Prerequisites:
To be successful in this program, applicants should be able to demonstrate the following prior to entry: read and comprehend complex informational texts independently and proficiently (i.e. safety and equipment manuals); ability to use technology for research, critical thinking, decision making, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation; and, demonstrate the responsible use of technology and an understanding of ethics and safety issues in using electronic media in school; communicate clearly, effectively and with reason through spoken language; communicate using clear and coherent written language; participate effectively as a member of a team; act as a responsible and contributing citizen by being conscientious
of the impacts of decisions on others and the environment; understand and apply proportional relationships, operations with rational numbers, and linear equations; fluency in solving equations with fractions, decimals and percentages; competency with fine and gross motor skills; willingness to engage in physical activity in a range of weather conditions and rough terrain.

Embedded Credits: 1 Science OR 1 Math

Scales for standards assessed in this program

Scope and Sequence of Material

Program Instructor – Mike Stannard

Mike Stannard joined Stafford Natural Resources and Forestry in 2023 after 16.5 years as a Science Teacher at Rutland High School and 19 overall. He graduated from Paul Smith’s College in 1997 with an A.A. in Environmental Studies and from Johnson State College (Northern Vermont University), in 2000, with his B.S. in Environmental Science. From childhood, Mike has worked, studied, and adventured in the outdoors. From the hills andmountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks to the rainforests and coral reefs of Belize to the wild rivers of Alaska, Mike has made snowboarding, paddling, hiking, wildlife photography, flyfishing, camping, maple sugaring, hunting, and fishing a great part of he and his family’s lives.

mi***********@****vt.org (802) 770-1057

Natural Resources and Forestry Social Media

Natural Resources & Forestry

The left side of the graphic includes the Stafford Technical Center logo and the phrase:

Career Tree – Education with Purpose

This infographic uses the image of a large tree to illustrate career pathways in Natural Resources & Forestry.

The tree begins with roots that represent the personal and educational foundation needed for career success. The trunk symbolizes growth, and the tree branches into three progressively higher levels of careers represented by layered platforms surrounding the tree.

Graphic Structure

Foundation (Roots)

The roots of the tree are labeled with four foundational elements:

Academics
Experiences
Professional Skills
Passion

These elements are presented as the basis for career development.

Level 1 – Entry-Level Careers

With Program Completion

Examples include:

Camp Counselor
Park Maintenance Technician
Landscaper
Trail Maintenance Technician
Heavy Equipment Operator
Wildlands Firefighter
Farmer/ Farm Assistant
Logger
Aquaculturist
Town State Infrastructure Worker
Greenhouse Worker
Maple Syrup Producer

Level 2 – Technical Careers

Apprenticeship, Associate Degree, Advanced Certification, Experience, etc.

Career options include:

Naturalist
Forester
Arborist
Parks and Forest Ranger
Landscape Crew Manager
Outdoor Recreation Guide
Surveyor
Search and Rescue Crew
Timber Buyer
Farm Manager
Veterinary Technician
Sawmill Operator

Level 3 – Professional Careers

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Ph.D., Specialized Training, Experience, etc.