The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program (VFLEP), in conjunction with numerous state, federal and private partners, offers a wide variety of science-based educational opportunities for new and experienced forest landowners. VFLEP also offers continuing education opportunities for natural resource and real estate professionals. Click a tab below, or use the navigation at the top of this page, to find out more about VFLEP's offerings.
Explore the learning opportunities VFLEP and its partners offer to find the one that's right for you.
Fall Forestry & Wildlife Field Tours
Beginning Woodland Owner Retreats
- Woods & Wildlife Conferences
- Preparing for Generation NEXT
- Tree Farm Dinners
- Virginia Forestry Summit
The Events Calendar lists all upcoming landowner programs.
On-line registration is available for many programs.
The Virginia Forest Landowner Update is a quarterly newsletter. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, including cost share programs, wildlife and timber management, exotic invasive species, and management planning. Read the current edition; read archived editions. The Forest Landowner e-Update is a monthly e-newsletter sent out to over 8,000 subscribers. The e-update features upcoming landowner events and new landowner resources.
Sign-up to receive the newsletters for free.
Find resources for topics including:
- Threatened and endangered species
- Small woodlots
- VFLEP also maintains a growing list of useful forestry-related Smart Phone Apps
- You can find the state forester who serves your county here.
- You can find a local professional forester here.
- Trustworthy publications and links for more information on natural resource management topics. Use the box below to search for Forestry Extension publications and newsletter articles.
To reach landowners early on in their tenure, the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program (VFLEP) developed the Real Forestry for Real Estate program. This program has three components:
Forestry is the third largest industry in Virginia, contributing $21 billion annually to our economy, as well as 107,900 jobs. Over 2/3 of Virginia's woodlands (10.1 million acres) are owned by private individuals and families. What they do (or don't do) on their woodlands can have a significant impact on the overall health and productivity of our forests. The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program provides these private woodland owners with the information and tools they need to practice sound management on their land.
Listen to Virginia woodland owners share their stories about the impacts of the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program on their land managment practices. View these videos and more on our YouTube Channel.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest
Woods & Wildlife Conferences
- February 11
- February 25
- Register online
- Become a sponsor
Introduction to Forest Carbon Markets Conference
- Carbon Program Primer Webinar
- Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2021 Tax Year
- Emerald ash borer in Virginia
- Contact a natural resources professional
- Need a Forester? Find your state forester here.
- Need help conducting a precribed burn? Find help here.
**NEW**
Search all Forestry Extension publications and newsletter articles
- December 2022 Expansion of Red Imported Fire Ant Quarantine in Virginia
- Carbon Resources for Private Landowners
- Forest Management and Bats
- Legacy Planning: A Guide for Virginia Landowners *New Fall 2020*
- Winter 2023 Virginia Forest Landowner Update Newsletter
- January 2023 e-newsletter
- Timber Theft in Virginia *New Summer 2020*
- Exotic Invasive Plants *New Spring 2020*
- Welcome to the Woods! A Guide for New Virginia Woodland Owners *Updated Summer 2020*
- Oak Decline in Virginia
- Family Resource Inventory - Set Your Management Goals