Working Forests for a Healthy Virginia
What are working forests?
Working forests are actively managed by professional foresters to provide a wealth of environmental and economic benefits. Active management includes practices such as:
- Tree planting
- Timber harvesting
- Prescribed burning
- Invasive species control
Working Forests for Healthy Wildlife
Virginia is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including over 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 250 species of fish.
Some species, such as pileated woodpeckers, gray catbirds, eastern box turtles, and rusty-patched bumblebees all require mature forests. Other species, such as wood turtles, woodcock, indigo bunting, and bobwhite quail require young forests.
To maximize the number of species in a forest, both mature and young forests are needed. Wokring forests are typically harvested at some point. Timber harvesting creates young forests, a habitat type that has been in decline over the past 50 years.
Young forests grow back quickly after timber harvests and provide much needed food and cover for many species of animals.
Working forests with a mix of mature and young forests provide habitat for a large number of wildlife species. This diversity attracts people interested in a wide variety of activities, such as bird watching, hunting, and fishing. Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses is used to fund sustainable management and species recovery efforts.
In 2023, wildlife-related recreation brought in over $12.5 billion to Virginia's economy.
Working Forests for Healthy Wildlife
Virginia is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including over 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 250 species of fish.
Some species, such as pileated woodpeckers, gray catbirds, eastern box turtles, and rusty-patched bumblebees all require mature forests. Other species, such as wood turtles, woodcock, indigo bunting, and bobwhite quail require young forests.
To maximize the number of species in a forest, both mature and young forests are needed. Wokring forests are typically harvested at some point. Timber harvesting creates young forests, a habitat type that has been in decline over the past 50 years.
Young forests grow back quickly after timber harvests and provide much needed food and cover for many species of animals.
Working forests with a mix of mature and young forests provide habitat for a large number of wildlife species. This diversity attracts people interested in a wide variety of activities, such as bird watching, hunting, and fishing. Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses is used to fund sustainable management and species recovery efforts.
In 2023, wildlife-related recreation brought in over $12.5 billion to Virginia's economy.
Working Forests for Healthy Water
Working Forests for Healthy Water
Working Forests for Healthy People
Working Forests for Healthy People
Working Forests for Healthy Economies
Forestry is the third largest industry in Virginia, contributing over $21 billion a year to the economy. With this comes over 104,000 jobs. These jobs include tree planters, loggers, educators, truck drivers, nursery growers, and foresters who work with woodland owners.
Working Forests for Healthy Economies
Forestry is the third largest industry in Virginia, contributing over $21 billion a year to the economy. With this comes over 104,000 jobs. These jobs include tree planters, loggers, educators, truck drivers, nursery growers, and foresters who work with woodland owners.
Do you own a forest?
If you own a forest and want to make it work for the environment and/or the economy there are many people and resources to help you get started:
Offers a variety of science-based programs to help you learn about the forest management options available to you.
Professional foresters are available to serve family woodland owners in every Virginia county. Most services are free.
