About this Event
Game of Logging–2026 Trail Crew Saw Training | Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
A collaboration between Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance, Northeast Woodlands Training, and Stowe Trails Partnership
Dates: Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12
Location: Strawberry Hill Farm, Stowe, Vermont. Parking details TBA.
Description: Are you a current paid staff member of an organization, business, or municipality who works to maintain trail infrastructure in Vermont and needs chainsaw training?
Trail Clearing and Storm Damage cleanup presents a very dangerous situation that is compounded by increasing frequency and severity of climate-related weather events. It is more dangerous than looking at a standing tree and predicting what needs to be done to get the tree down safely and accurately. The forces involved in trees that have been tipped over by wind can be hard to read and hence make a plan for. This hands-on training is meant to provide saw users several “tools for the toolbox” to be pulled out when they best seem to fit. This type of saw work is very dangerous. Keeping trails infrastructure free of downed trees and debris is key to the resiliency of our trail networks and communities. Professionalize, prepare, and protect your crew and/or self to meet this challenge head-on by learning the necessary skills to safely and efficiently clear blowdown messes.
The training curriculum is anchored in Northeast Woodland Training's Game of Logging Levels 1-4 and has been modified by the organization's lead instructor, David Birdsall, to provide only the most relevant content for trail maintainers in Vermont. Instruction will be provided by David himself.
Course Content:
- Saw Safety
- Intro Limbing and Bucking Techniques
- Maximizing Saw Performance
- Dealing with Storm Damaged Trees
- Intro to Mechanical Advantage Techniques
The training is organized by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance. The purpose of the grant is to professionalize and prepare VT's trail working industry to be resilient in the face of climate change. The curriculum is designed by Northeast Woodlands Training and vetted by VT trail maintainers.
Other Details:
- Selected applicants must provide their own complete PPE (hard hat, eye+ear pro, chaps, work boots), working chainsaw, and a NEW chain
- Apply by 12pm Monday, May 4, 2026.
- Registration does not automatically mean acceptance into the training. Confirmation of acceptance will be emailed by 12pm on Tuesday, May 5.
- Please do not register if you cannot commit to full participation on both days. Attendance both days is mandatory.
- Maximum class size is 10. There will be 1 instructor.
- Each day will start at 8am and end around 4pm and be entirely outside. Dress accordingly.
- Lunch will not be provided, neither will a lunch break. Plan to bring your own lunch and eat when you can.
Cost:
This is a free training for the VT professional trail community so that it will be better prepared to address the challenges presented by severe weather events from climate change. Consider supporting VOBA by becoming a donating member business or organization.
Eligibility:
- Priority will be given to folks currently working paid trail jobs for VT employers.
- Priority will be given to under-represented communities in the occupation in Vermont (women, BIPOC, LGBTQ, New Americans, persons of all abilities, etc.).
If you have any questions, please email Brian or Kelly at [email protected] or [email protected].
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Strawberry Hill Farm, TBD, Stowe, United States
USD 0.00
