The Understory – April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025 12:21 pm
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.
“By replacing this tree, future generations get to experience the beautiful and biodiverse world we enjoy today,” said Secretary Lohr. “And in a few hundred years, Virginia could have a new champion.”
Longleaf Pine Restoration Celebration
DOF State Forester Rob Farrell and staff attended a longleaf pine restoration event at the property of Bill Owen, owner of Raccoon Creek Pinelands in Yale (Sussex County).
Owen, a long-time champion of the longleaf, hosted the event in the new pavilion he built entirely from longleaf timber. Longleaf pine, historically abundant in southeast Virginia, was once nearly eradicated. Restoration began approximately 25 years ago when a group of state and federal agencies and landowners, known as the Longleaf Cooperators of Virginia (LCOV), joined forces to restore Virginia’s longleaf pine ecosystems.
Surrounded by 1,500 acres of longleaf Owen has planted over the years, LCOV representatives signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming the commitment to continual restoration efforts. Joining DOF in the MOU signing were partners from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), Old Dominion University, and the Longleaf Alliance.
Cost-Share Available to Protect Ash Trees
Got ash trees? 🌳 Without protective measures, all native species of ash trees are nearly guaranteed to be infested and killed by the emerald ash borer. This invasive beetle has already killed millions of ash trees across the U.S. and is likely now in every Virginia community.
So what’s the good news? You can protect your ash trees with professional treatments, and DOF will cover a portion of the cost!🛡️🪲 DOF offers a 70% cost-share for landowners, non-profits, educational institutions, homeowner associations, and organizations, including municipalities.
Learn more and apply by June 16 on DOF’s website.
Tags: The Understory
Category: Education, Public Information