Throughout the northeast forested habitats are maturing. Many migratory bird species and rare/declining species are dependent on the early successional stages of the northern forest to complete their life history. Through the development of forest management plans and the careful selection of appropriate sites, early successional management can provide critical habitat while increasing forest diversity. Early successional management utilizes a variety of mechanical and manual vegetative manipulation to set back forest succession. The Vermont Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program works with local partners such as Audubon Vermont to complete young forest management in high priority habitat areas.