October 30, 2025 -
Fall Fire Season is Underway While leaf-peeping season is one of Virginia’s most beautiful times of year, it also brings conditions that increase the risk of wildfires. As leaves fall and accumulate on the ground, an ample fuel source for wildfires is created. And when you combine this with the dry, windy weather we typically see this time of year, the risk of wildfire grows. This year’s fall fire season arrives as much of Virginia is already in a drought, further... Read More
September 17, 2025 -
Helene left a lasting impact on Virginia’s forestry communities Additional Disaster Relief Funding Announced Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program will distribute nearly $70 million in disaster relief to Southwest Virginia producers and timber landowners affected by Hurricane Helene. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is managing the grant program with support from DOF and Virginia Cooperative... Read More
July 3, 2025 -
Celebrate Safely, Virginia 🇺🇸 🎆 As you get ready to celebrate this 4th of July, make plans to enjoy a public, professionally organized fireworks show. All fireworks, even seemingly harmless ones, can cause serious injury. Did you know sparklers burn at an incredible 2,000 degrees?! According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 14,700 people across the U.S. were injured by fireworks last year. “Both legal and illegal fireworks can... Read More
May 29, 2025 -
Landowner Reforestation Success in Amelia When Amelia County landowners Stuart and Melissa Price bought their 16-acre property in 2010, only 10 acres were forested. The previous owners used the remaining grass fields to graze beef cattle. Stuart and Melissa considered how they could repurpose the lot, starting with hiking trails. Working with DOF Dinwiddie Area Forester Doug Audley, Stuart created a forest stewardship plan that identified the existing tree species and... Read More
April 28, 2025 -
Virginia Celebrates Arbor Day On Friday, (pictured from left to right) Deputy State Forester Ed Zimmer, State Forester Rob Farrell, Community Forestry Manager Lara Johnson, Maymont Horticulture and Grounds Senior Manager Sean Proietti, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr, and Maymont Director Parke Richeson celebrated Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony on the grounds of Maymont, a 100-acre green space in the heart of Richmond. A red horse-chestnut was... Read More
