Recent Forestry News

The Understory - Nov. 1

The Understory – Nov. 1

November 1, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) launched this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed up for DOF announcements. Help us spread the word by encouraging others interested in Virginia’s forests — and forestry — to sign up below. Interested in a specific forestry topic? Contact us. Landowner Disaster... Read More

The Understory – Oct. 9

The Understory – Oct. 9

October 9, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) launched this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed up for DOF announcements. Help us spread the word by encouraging others interested in Virginia’s forests — and forestry — to sign up below. Interested in a specific forestry topic? Contact us. DOF Response... Read More

The Understory – Sept. 26

The Understory – Sept. 26

September 26, 2024 - *This is the web version of our first “The Understory” newsletter which was mailed out on Sept. 26. Get future editions of The Understory delivered to your inbox here. Welcome to “The Understory!” The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is launching this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed... Read More

Upcoming Events for Landowners

Upcoming Events for Landowners

September 24, 2024 - Staunton Generation NEXT Workshop Oct. 26 If you own woodland, you have a legacy worth passing on. Legacy planning can seem daunting, so we’ve partnered with Virginia Cooperative Extension to give you a confident start. Join us for our next Generation NEXT workshop in Staunton Oct. 26 to gain advice from law and financial experts, tips and insights from fellow landowners, and a clear path forward. Estate planning is a... Read More

Virginia's Least Wanted: Wavyleaf Grass

Virginia’s Least Wanted: Wavyleaf Grass

September 23, 2024 - This grass may look harmless, but it wants to use you and your pets for a free ride. The seeds of wavyleaf grass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) stick to everything, easily spreading this invasive across Virginia’s forests, replacing our native plants and wildflowers. Wavyleaf grass thrives in shaded forest understories, especially along forest trails looking for a free ride. Wavyleaf grass produces seeds August – November. Here’s what you can do to prevent... Read More

What's in the Woods: September

What’s in the Woods: September

September 18, 2024 - This time of year there are several berry-producing shrubs in Virginia. Let’s compare two you’re likely to see: the native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and invasive amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Spicebush is hardy to various soil conditions, produces pollinator-friendly yellow blooms in spring and golden fall foliage, hosts the stunning spicebush swallowtail butterfly, and its berries are a favorite of many songbirds. Amur honeysuckle is an imported non-native and has become... Read More

The Quaker Run Fire from a Wildland Firefighter's POV

The Quaker Run Fire from a Wildland Firefighter’s POV

January 5, 2024 - By Joe Rossetti, DOF Hardwood Initiative Coordinator – The Quaker Run Fire in Madison County garnered a great deal of attention, and rightly so. A fire this large, at nearly 4,000 acres, rarely occurs in Virginia. Suppressing this fire proved particularly challenging because, on top of the usual fall fire seasonal weather conditions like low humidity and gusty winds, the region was experiencing a persistent drought. It also occurred on... Read More

Meet the Interns!

Meet the Interns!

July 28, 2023 - Each year, DOF hires interns for about two months to support our work and introduce students to the world of forestry. Read on to meet this summer’s interns and learn a bit about what their experience was like. Interning in DOF’s eastern region this summer was Virginia Tech forestry student Evan R. During his internship, Evan joined DOF foresters to work on projects at several eastern state forests, as well... Read More

Citizen Science? Yes, You Can!

Citizen Science? Yes, You Can!

March 17, 2023 - By Ellen Powell, DOF Conservation Education Coordinator and Cory Swift-Turner, DOF Communications Specialist   A middle school class documents the spring’s first dogwood and redbud blooms in their schoolyard. A family records the birds that visit their feeders in the winter. A retiree places wing tags on monarch butterflies before migration. A hunter reports sightings of sick deer to a wildlife agency.   What do all of these scenarios have... Read More

The Smell of Spring?

The Smell of Spring?

February 17, 2023 - By Ellen Powell, DOF Conservation Education Coordinator I’m on a mission to teach you that plants are cool. They may look like they’re just sitting there, but they’re hiding superpowers. Watch this blog in 2023 for more posts about amazing Virginia plants!   In the dead of winter, from the muck of a woodland seep, rises a hooded figure of mottled purple, the color of dead flesh. Undeterred by snow... Read More