The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) was established in 1914 for an initial purpose of preventing and suppressing forest fires and to reforest bare lands. Since that time, VDOF has grown and evolved to include other purposes including protecting Virginia’s waters, conserving Virginia’s forests, managing state lands, and nurseries, administering several landowner incentive programs, and managing the forest resource.
Most of Virginia’s forestland is privately owned (more than 13 million acres). Approximately 521,000 individuals and families in Virginia hold a total of approximately 9.8 million acres, about 61% of the forest resource. To achieve the goal of “managing the forest resource,” VDOF provides forestry educational opportunities and technical assistance to the many landowners across the Commonwealth. This landowner assistance takes many forms, from one-on-one meetings with landowners to walk their property, discuss forest management opportunities, and develop written management plans, to speaking with groups of landowners about specific forest management practices.
Managing forest resources can sometimes be a complex undertaking for landowners. The VDOF landowner assistance programs provide professional forestry assistance to help landowners successfully manage their forest resources and reach their current goals and objectives while still protecting, conserving and managing a forest resource for future generations.
- Forest planning and stewardship
- Selling timber
- Find a forester to help you get the most out of your forestland
- Prescribed burning as a forest management tool
- Reforestation options for your land
- Find private forestry services providers
- Buy seedlings on-line store
- Financial assistance programs for forest management activities
Get assistance with your forestland.
A variety of financial assistance programs are available through VDOF and partner agencies for forest management activities.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Additional Resources
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VDOF foresters can assist you with your forestland, contact your local VDOF forester.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.