Firefighter Tragedy in Scott County
April 5, 2024 - At approximately 5 p.m. on March 30, a Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) part-time firefighter died while fighting a three-acre wildfire on Garland Drive in Scott County.
Media: News Releases
Charlottesville Callery Pear Exchange Saturday, April 20
March 15, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is rolling out a new exchange program to help slow the spread of Callery pears from the urban landscape into our natural areas. DOF’s new Callery Pear Exchange program incentivizes the removal of up to three (3) Callery pear trees from your property to receive an equal number of native, young, healthy – and free – replacement trees.
Throwing Shade VA Program Grows to 13 Retail Nursery Locations
March 5, 2024 - You asked, we listened: Discounted native plants are now available at more retail nursery locations across Virginia. Following a successful pilot program last spring, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is expanding the Throwing Shade Virginia program to partner with more nurseries this year.
Applications Now Open for the 76th Camp Woods and Wildlife
February 23, 2024 - Applications are now open for the 76th annual Camp Woods and Wildlife to be held June 17-21 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center near Appomattox. Hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF), the camp offers an action-packed week in the woods for approximately 60 youth campers.
Virginia Enters Spring Fire Season
February 13, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) joins fire departments across Virginia to announce spring fire season and raise awareness of the statewide burning law, in effect from Feb. 15 through April 30. The law prohibits outdoor burning before 4 p.m. when the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass.
New Multi-Use Trail Opens at Charlotte State Forest
February 6, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has opened the Charlotte Multi-Use Recreational Trail at Charlotte State Forest in Charlotte County. Featuring both northern and southern loops, the trail showcases 8.5 miles of beautiful forests and wetlands in a rough “figure 8” shape path. The trail is suitable for hiking, wildlife observation, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Now Accepting Project Proposals for Riparian Forests for Landowners Program
January 11, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for Riparian Forests for Landowners Program (RFFL) project funding. RFFL is DOF’s new statewide, flexible landowner assistance program that helps landowners meet riparian forest buffer needs and fill gaps in assistance not supplied by other programs.
Virginia’s Fall Fire Season Ends After Extreme Fire Activity
December 8, 2023 - During this year’s fall fire season, which ran from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) responded to 156 wildfires that burned nearly 25,000 acres and damaged 13 structures.
Update on Virginia Wildfires
November 17, 2023 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) continues to respond to several wildfires across central and southwest Virginia. Since the start of Virginia’s fall fire season (Oct. 15 – Nov. 30), DOF has responded to 113 wildfires that have burned more than 12,000 acres.
Throwing Shade VA Program is Growing
November 14, 2023 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is pleased to announce that the Throwing Shade VA program, which offers discounts on native trees and shrubs, is growing. In 2024, DOF will expand participation to 10 retail nurseries.