The emphasis of this work is preparing timber sales to support rural economies and forest product industry partners, and to create and sustain healthy and resilient forests

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service Region 9–Eastern Region awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $606,794.69 to the Vermont Department of Forests Parks & Recreation on April 21, 2026, under the Good Neighbor Authority program (CFDA 10.691). The award funds timber sale preparation work on federal lands in Vermont to support rural economies, forest product industry partnerships, and healthy forest management through December 31, 2028. The work directly contributes to Executive Order 14,225's expansion of American timber production by increasing annual timber volume offered by 25 percent over the fiscal year 2020–2024 average and expanding workforce skills through partnerships with states, tribes, and industry. Under Good Neighbor Authority, the Forest Service authorized Vermont to conduct specified projects on federal lands in pursuit of land management goals, with negotiated work products and project objectives to support regional forest and watershed health. Generated revenue is reinvested into land management goals. Place of performance is Vermont.

This is mission critical work contributing to the forests planned timber targets in support of executive order (E.O.) 14225 immediate expansion of american timber production. The goals of the project align with the forest service's priority actions to increase active forest management as outlined on july 8, 2025, in a letter to regional foresters. These include increasing the annual timber volume offered by 25 percent over the fiscal year (FY) 2020 through FY 2024 average, and expanding workforce skills by leveraging partnerships with states, tribes, and industry.