Author Archives for Ellen Powell

Large group of volunteers planting trees in an open field near an urban area

Arbor Day in Pandemic Times

May 4, 2021 1:42 pm Published by Comments Off on Arbor Day in Pandemic Times

By Molly O’Liddy, DOF Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator  Despite these uncertain times, communities across the Commonwealth have continued to celebrate their love of trees in Arbor Day celebrations. In Virginia, Arbor Day is annually recognized as the last Friday in April. Traditionally, cities and towns have held parades, concerts and festivals that bring the whole community together. During the first Arbor Day, held in Nebraska in 1872, one million trees... Read More


Intense orange and red flames and smoke from a large nighttime wildfire

Goshen Wildfire Shines a Spotlight on Cooperation

May 4, 2021 11:36 am Published by Comments Off on Goshen Wildfire Shines a Spotlight on Cooperation

April 30 is the last day of Virginia’s spring fire season, and it typically goes out like a lamb. Not this year. DOF personnel were on high alert all day last Friday, after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning, meaning low humidity and high winds would create conditions ripe for wildfires. In fact, on Friday and Saturday, DOF personnel responded to eighteen fires which burned more than... Read More