Vermont's Forests Rose From 25% to 75% in a Century

Vermont wasn't always the Green Mountain State. By the 1880s, unsustainable logging and farming had stripped away 75% of its ancient forests, leaving hillsides bare and ecosystems devastated.

A new book releasing on Arbor Day 2025 tells the remarkable story of how Vermont reversed one of America's worst environmental disasters. "When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont's Forests" chronicles the century-long campaign that transformed the state from barren to beautiful.

Author Robert Mello, a retired Vermont Superior Court judge, spent years researching how dedicated advocates, citizens, and lawmakers turned the tide at the dawn of the 20th century. Their efforts created one of conservation's greatest success stories.

Today, Vermont's forests have recovered to cover 75% of the state. That complete reversal didn't happen by accident or luck.

The Vermont Historical Society announces that Mello's book explains the economic, environmental, and aesthetic forces that drove reforestation. It also offers lessons for protecting forests as climate challenges grow.

Why This Inspires

Environmental activist Bill McKibben calls it "one of the fairly few hopeful stories on a planet that's mostly turned brown in the last century." In an era of climate anxiety, Vermont proves that massive environmental damage can be reversed with sustained effort and community commitment.

Ethan Tapper, author of "How to Love a Forest," describes it as "the most comprehensive account of the history of Vermont's forests ever published." Michael Snyder, former commissioner of Vermont's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, praises it as "a deeply researched and compelling account" offering perspective on stewardship and resilience.

Most Vermonters know the 75% statistic, but few understand how their predecessors achieved this transformation. The book fills that gap with scintillating detail about the long struggle to reclaim what was lost.

The Vermont Historical Society has been sharing state history since 1838 through its museum in Montpelier, history center in Barre, and programs statewide. This latest publication continues that mission of helping Vermonters understand the landscapes they share.

Vermont's forest recovery stands as proof that environmental destruction isn't permanent when communities commit to healing the land.