Recent Forestry News

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – January 28, 2026

January 29, 2026 - Terry Lasher Appointed State Forester Terry Lasher has been appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger as DOF’s ninth State Forester. Most recently serving as executive director with the Virginia Forestry Association, Lasher rejoins the agency where he spent more than two decades, beginning in 2001 as resource conservation and development forester in Tappahannock. From there, he went on to assume a wide range of roles with the agency including, assistant regional... Read More

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – December 12, 2025

December 13, 2025 - Be Fire Safe This Holiday Season Virginia’s fall fire season wrapped on Nov. 30. Since its start on Oct. 15, DOF suppressed 152 wildfires that burned 1,733 acres and damaged two outbuildings. DOF response efforts during the fall are credited with protecting 36 homes and 39 other structures with a total value estimated to be over $10 million. Virginia’s fall fire season may be over, but please take it from... Read More

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – October 30, 2025

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

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The Understory – September 17, 2025

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

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – July 3, 2025

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

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The Understory – May 29, 2025

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

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – April 28, 2025

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

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The Understory – March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025 - DOF Plays Defense in Southwest Virginia When not responding to wildfires during the last week of February, DOF’s Western Region conducted two wildfire mitigation projects in Southwest Virginia. By proactively removing vegetation, dead leaves and woody debris, communities are better protected against wildfires. The first project was conducted in a community within Claytor Lake State Park in Pulaski County. Surrounded by woodlands with a highly trafficked campground nearby, the community... Read More

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The Understory – Feb. 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 - Spring Fire Season Arrives Virginia’s spring fire season is here. The statewide 4 p.m. burning law is now in effect through April 30. The law restricts outdoor burning until after 4 p.m. when wildfire risk is generally lower. The law applies to outdoor burning within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass. This includes debris burning, campfires and open-air charcoal grills like those found in park settings. Violating the... Read More

The Understory newsletter header with green forest background and text News from across the Commonwealth

The Understory – Jan. 31, 2025

January 31, 2025 - Improve Your Home’s Wildfire Defenses Our thoughts remain with Southern California residents and first responders as they continue to battle catastrophic wildfires. To date, California fire officials are estimating more than 55,000 acres burned and 16,000 structures destroyed. This ongoing emergency serves as a dire reminder of the danger wildfires pose to any community, even cities. Virginia faced a similar threat last year, when high winds and dry conditions led... Read More