When The Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont's Forests

By: Robert A. Mello

Published by Vermont Historical Society, 2026-04-21

Although long recognized as the “Green Mountain State,” Vermont’s hillsides were once nearly completely bare. By the 1880s, unsustainable logging and farming practices had decimated its once-dense forests, with enormous environmental consequences. When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont’s Forests tells the story of how a group of dedicated advocates, citizens, and lawmakers turned the tide at the dawn of the 20th century. It explains how their efforts contributed to the remarkable recovery of Vermont’s forests, and provides lessons for protecting our forests in an uncertain future.