The Understory – Nov. 22
November 22, 2024 1:44 pm
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.
Virginia Celebrates Forest Products Week
In recognition of all that the forestry industry brings to the Commonwealth, Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaimed Oct. 20-26 as Virginia Forest Products Week to recognize all that the forestry industry does for the Commonwealth. To celebrate, DOF staff visited several forest product industry sites including Charles City Forest Products in Providence Forge to meet with owner Thomas Evelyn and staff to discuss operations and the unique products (such as certified playground mulch, timber bridges, timber mats and log exports) the company provides.
DOF staff also joined industry professionals and officials including Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr for a National Bioenergy Day event hosted by Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) at its biomass electric generating facility in Halifax County. Secretary Lohr spoke about the importance of forestry and bioenergy to the Commonwealth before presenting the governor’s proclamation to NOVEC.
Later in the week, DOF staff joined Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Travis Rickman to tour Dominion Energy’s biomass electric generating facility in Southampton, the biomass logging operation of C.K. Greene, and Virginia’s newest forest products production facility, Restoration Bioproducts biochar production facility in Waverly. To cap off the week, Secretary Lohr and DOF staff met with consulting forester Glen Worrell of F&W Forestry to discuss how consulting foresters add value for landowners and the forest product supply chain.
Pictured left to right: NOVEC President and CEO David E. Schleicher, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr and NOVEC Plant Manager Mike Davis.
Black Family Land Trust Anniversary Event
On Oct. 25, DOF staff joined landowners, citizens and partner organizations at the Black Family Land Trust’s (BFLT) 20th anniversary celebration event in Chesterfield County. BFLT seeks to ensure, protect and preserve rural lands from loss, and assist historically underserved landowners in making these lands productive and valuable. BFLT board members, Executive Director Ebonie Alexander, and landowner Ralph Sampson (who is also a DOF board member) spoke at the event. Alexander recognized the help and encouragement of former DOF State Forester Bettina Ring and the agency in the support and work of BFLT.
“DOF has collaborated closely with BFLT for a number of years to connect an extensive network of landowners with the many services and resources the agency provides,” said DOF Director of Forest Management Dean Cumbia.
Pictured: Bethaney Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network (left) and Terry T. Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters.
Keeping Forests as Forests…For More Than 200 Years
The Shooting Creek Property in Franklin and Patrick counties recently joined DOF’s Century Forest Program, which recognizes forested properties (of at least 20 connecting acres) owned by one family for 100 years or more. Co-owned by Judy Smith Sledd and her niece Michelle Smith Johnson, Shooting Creek totals 675 acres, 195 of which have been in the family for an incredible 237 years. This makes Shooting Creek one of the oldest properties in the Century Forest Program.
“Recognizing Century Forests isn’t just about enduring stewardship,” said Assistant State Forester Terry Lasher. “Forestland managed by one family for decades is less likely to be parceled off, and protecting large blocks of forests from fragmentation maximizes water quality and wildlife habitat benefits.”
The family manages portions of their forestland for timber and wildlife habitat, leasing the property to the local hunt club established by Sledd’s grandfather (and Johnson’s great-grandfather). The family also plans to permanently protect Shooting Creek with a DOF conservation easement in the near future.
“The preservation of this pristine property is truly a family legacy, said Sledd. “We see and feel the critical need and benefits of clean water and air. When we take action to protect the land and its waters, we’re ultimately protecting invaluable watersheds and wildlife resources.”
Learn more about the Century Forest program on DOF’s website.
Pictured left to right: Charlie Sledd and Judy Smith Sledd with former State Forester Jim Garner.
Category: Education, Public Information