Managing a healthy, productive forest is inherently a long-term commitment, and most forests will long outlive their current owners. Landowners must consider what will happen to the property that will outlast them. Typically, this involves transferring the land to the next generation, but this requires planning and dedication.
The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) encourages landowners to engage with the ongoing process of legacy planning for their forest properties. Legacy planning involves educating and connecting with the next generation of land stewards for the family property.
As a landowner, you’re responsible for passing on the stewardship values associated with your land. These values can inform the decisions made about the property long into the future. Engaging the next generation in your property management builds a strong foundation for the eventual change in ownership.
Legacy planning is not a one-time action. These efforts can – and should – be ongoing and may evolve with the family over time. Legacy planning includes both the practical plans for the land transfer as well as what you hope future generations will prioritize for the property.
Estate planning is a more specific tool within the broader category of “legacy planning”. Estate planning typically involves coordinating legal and financial expertise to identify how the property will be transferred and managed in the future. Through estate planning, landowners may engage with attorneys and/or financial advisors to prepare legal documents and accounts for your estate (including all personal assets such as your land). These consultants can best help you apply appropriate legal and financial structures when they understand your goals.
Planning for the long-term future of your forested property goes beyond drafting legal and financial documents – although these are important planning tools, too. Communication and engagement build the values and knowledge necessary to properly manage a forest legacy.
- Generation Next Program assists landowners with legacy planning
- Conservation easements as a tool for conservation
- Protecting forestland with the Forest Legacy Program
Get started, contact your local DOF forester for guidance.
Additional Resources
Learn more about legacy planning for forest landowners.
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | An Overview of Forest Carbon Credit Programs in Virginia | VT-CNRE-177P | Woodland owners increasingly hear about opportunities to earn income by participating in emerging forest carbon markets. This Virginia Cooperative Extension publication provides an overview of these markets and introduces the carbon credit programs operating in Virginia. This information is intended to help Virginia’s woodland owners decide if taking part in a forest carbon credit program is a good fit for their management objectives. | Publication | View | forest-management forest | publication |
 | Forest Legacy Program | P00200 | Brochure provides information regarding the Forest Legacy Program available to landowners for conserving their forestland, including program overview, public purposes, methods of acquisition, application process, and program requirements. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest | publication |
 | Forest Legacy Program Application – Conservation Easement | 10.04 | Application to apply to be considered for the Forest Legacy Program via conservation easement. | Form | View | forest | form |
| Forest Legacy Program Application – Fee Simple Purchase | 10.05 | Application to apply to be considered for the Forest Legacy Program via fee simple purchase. | Form | View | forest | form |
| Forest Legacy Program Application – Property Proposal | 10.06 | Application Property Proposal is to be submitted as a part of the submission package when applying to be considered for the Forest Legacy Program. | Form | View | forest | form |
| Forest Legacy Program Application – Property Proposal – Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding Supplement | 10.07 | Application Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding Supplement is to be submitted as a part of the submission package when applying to be considered for the Forest Legacy Program during IRA funding application cycles. | Form | View | forest | form |
 | Forest Legacy Program Request for Proposals | The Forest Legacy Program assists in protecting important forested lands through conservation easements and fee simple land purchases. Conservation easements allow private individuals to retain ownership while conserving forested lands to protect forested lands, in perpetuity, for future generations. Applications are accepted via requests for proposals. | Document | View | forest | document | |
 | Landowner Options for Forestland Conservation | P00146 | Brochure provides information regarding options available to landowners for conserving their forestland, including use-value taxation, ag and forestal districts, riparian Buffer tax credit, cost-share assistance, conservation easements, purchase of development rights, grants for fee-simple acquisition and easements, and donations of property. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest | publication |
 | Legacy Planning Stories | Stories about how landowners “like me” are ensuring the future of their land. | Publication | View | forest | publication | |
 | Legacy Planning… A Guide for Virginia Landowners | CNRE-121 | A comprehensive guide to successful legacy planning for your forestland. | Publication | View | forest | publication |
 | Plan Your Forest’s Future | P00205 | Brochure provides information regarding the responsibility of owning forestland and the importance of planning your forest’s future, conserving your forestland, forest planning options, types of plans, elements of a plan, and benefits of a plan. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-management | publication |
| Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2021 Tax Year | FS-1188 | This USDA Forest Service publication provides tax tips intended to assist forest landowners and their tax advisors in preparing 2021 Federal income tax returns. It can also help plan for future years. This material is for information and educational use only and is not intended as financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor concerning your particular tax situation. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-management forest-management forest | publication |
 | Woodland Owner Legacy Planning Benefits and Barriers | Summary report of research about the benefits and barriers for landowners in keeping their forestland in tact. | Publication | View | forest | publication | |
 | Woodland Owners: The Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule May Apply to YOU! | In September 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule under the Corporate Transparency Act. This rule requires disclosing the identity of beneficial owners of small business entities beginning on January 1, 2024. | Document | View | forest-management forest | document |
Contact Us
If you’re unsure where to start, contact your local DOF forester for guidance.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.