Media: News Releases

State Agencies Provide Update on Spongy Moth Infestation and Treatment Activities in Virginia

State Agencies Provide Update on Spongy Moth Infestation and Treatment Activities in Virginia

July 2, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) are joining forest health professionals across the Commonwealth to monitor the invasive spongy moth (formerly known as the Gypsy Moth). Long established in Virginia, the caterpillar with a voracious appetite favors oak trees but will also feed on many types of hardwoods. In areas with large infestations, the caterpillars can strip entire mountainsides of... Read More

Virginia Department of Forestry Protects More Than 1,000 Homes and Structures This Spring Fire Season

Virginia Department of Forestry Protects More Than 1,000 Homes and Structures This Spring Fire Season

May 23, 2024 - During Virginia’s spring fire season this year (Feb. 15 to April 30), Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) firefighters – working alongside numerous local, state and federal partners – responded to 411 wildfires that burned nearly 20,000 acres, the most burned during a spring fire season in the last 30 years. For comparison, during the 2023 spring fire season, 330 wildfires burned 2,174 acres.

New Virginia Department of Forestry Program Provides Free Riparian Buffers

New Virginia Department of Forestry Program Provides Free Riparian Buffers

May 15, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is announcing a new program that provides landowners free, flexible riparian forest buffer installation plus one year of maintenance. The Riparian Forests for Landowners (RFFL) program is a unique watershed-based partnership including DOF, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Friends of the Rappahannock, James River Association, Terra Habitats LLC, and York River Steward.

Firefighter Tragedy in Scott County

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.

Charlottesville Callery Pear Exchange Saturday, April 20

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

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

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

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

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

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.