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Events Calendar

2026

March

The Woods in Your Backyard Online Course

  • March 9 - May 18
  • Online 
  • $120 - inlcudes the Woods in Your Backyar manual and Tree ID Guide

This self-directed, non-credit course from University of Maryland Extension is now open! The non-credit course runs 10 weeks. The online format lets you access the content when it’s convenient for you, without worrying about attending evening classes or weekend workshops.

The course will help landowners convert lawn to natural areas and enhance stewardship of existing natural areas. Based on the guide of the same name, the course provides strategies to landowners of small parcels of land (1-10 acres) that improve the stewardship of their property for personal enjoyment and environmental quality. It uses a hands-on learning approach to help participants develop and implement a plan for their property. Activities include how to map habitat areas, understand basic ecological principles about woodland and wildlife, choose and implement a few habitat management projects, and how to set a timetable and record your progress. Online discussion groups will allow participants to interact with others taking the course. A certificate of completion is awarded when all assignments are completed.

  • The course is limited to 20 participants, so sign up now!
  • For more information, go to https://go.umd.edu/the_course.
  • Registration is closed. 

Planning and Benefits of Silvopasture in Livestock Production 

This workshop will explore landowners’ interest in silvopasture, a system integrating the management of trees, forage and livestock for sustainable ecological and economic production. Participants will learn about silvopasture benefits and opportunities, design principles, practical management techniques and resources available to support landowners’ interest in the practice, implementation and management.

For more info, contact James Gibson 804-720-6826, jegibson@vsu.edu.

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep

  • March 24 & 25
  • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Virtual
  • ADVANCE cohort & Extension: $225
  • Students/Educators: $250
  • Non-educators:  $350

What: 2-day workshop. Mapping with Drones: Remote Pilot Certification Preparation. This workshop provides extensive preparation for the FAA’s Remote Pilot Certification test (aka Part 107).  This certification is essential to operating a drone legally. Note that if you are interested in learning how to map with drones, then you should consider registering for the ADVANCE Educator Workshop.

Who:  This workshop (preparation for the FAA Remote Pilot Certification) is essential for drone operators interested in Mapping with Drones, Photography/Videography with Drones, and others who are either interested in operating a drone or managers who need to learn more about the regulatory environment. This workshop is appropriate for Extension agents/specialists, Private industry, Natural resource professionals, Planning professionals, Local/State govt. employees, Public safety professionals, Agricultural operators, Educators (high school, community college, university), Realtors, Construction/Inspection teams, etc.  This is an introductory workshop… No previous experience or knowledge is necessary.

Beyond the Basics Woodland Owner Retreat: Managing Your Forest for Timber Income 

This day and a half retreat will cover the people and process involved in a timber sale. A combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on sessions will be used to teach the concepts of sustainable timber harvesting. The program will conclude with a virtual timber sale activity. 

Topics include:

  • People involved in a timber sale
  • Overview of the forest industry
  • Factors that affect price
  • Is your timber ready to sell?
  • Field trip with active timber harvests
  • Virtual timber sale experience

On site lodging is available for individuals and couples. Couples lodging is limited to 5 couples and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To maximize your experience, we strongly encourage participants to stay on site. 

Registration fees include 3 meals on Friday and 2 meals on Saturday, plus refreshments, field trip transportation, and materials. 

Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391, for more information. 

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Pollen

Everything is yellow!  Ahhh-choo!  Learn why there's so much pollen this time of year. 

YouTube Premier

Spring Ephmerals Woods Walk 

Montpelier’s Horticulture team and the Virginia Master Naturalists will guide us through the Landmark Forest looking for spring’s fleeting flowering plants. We will search the forest floor for orchids, bloodroot, toothwort, and Dutchman’s breeches. March is the best month to see these native beauties.

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April

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Catalpa

Jason Fisher will share the joys of having catalpa trees on your land.

YouTube Premier

Majestic Trees of Montpelier 

This event is presented in collaboration with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Master Naturalists. Come explore the historic landscape from a new angle, through our awe-inspiring trees. Featured specimens will include trees believed to have witnessed daily life at Montpelier during the Madisons’ ownership, along with some younger but still massive specimens planted in the 20th century for the duPont family.

Virginia Forestry Summit

This annual educational event is for natural resource professionals and landowners. Program includes classroom sessions and an array of field trips to explore Norfolk and the surrounding area.  

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May

Spring Venture Outdoors

Attention landowners! Do you want to know more about current forestry and wildlife topics? If so, Venture Outdoors with us! This half-day program includes both classroom and field trip sessions. Topics will include: a forest health update, tree identification, a wild game update, and cost share opportunities.

Bring your own bag lunch. Water provided. These events happen rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. 

For more information, please contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147 x 3389.

Please print and return this form to register. 

Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat

This introductory-level landowner program will cover the basics of why and how to manage your woods, as well as sources of professional and financial assistance. 

Agenda and registration available mid-March.

Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391, for more information. 

Spring Working Woods Walk

Join Montpelier’s Horticulture department and the Virginia Master Naturalists on a walk through James Madison’s beloved woodlands and contemplate our connections to Madison’s era through our mutual dependence on this important natural resource. Learn about the ecological and economic contributions a well-managed forest provides to our society in terms of habitat, wildlife, wood products, and such basic needs as clean air and water. Investigate how various techniques of active forest management constitute stewardship of the woodlands, to renew and preserve them for future generations.

17th Annual Vegetation Management Workshop

This full-day workshop covers land and weed management and hosts a very fun and diverse group of 200 plus folks from the forestry, utility rights of way, wildlife, and invasives markets.  Included in our group will be applicators, foresters, biologists, land managers, energy companies, row applicators, manufacturers, seedling suppliers & professionals, forestry contractors, VT extension, Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Dept of Forestry, professional consultants and forest landowners.  

Online registration will open in mid-March. Pre-registration is mandatory. At the conclusion of the program, we will be offering SAF, SHARP Logger, and pesticide recertification credits.

For more information:

Spring Venture Outdoors

Attention landowners! Do you want to know more about current forestry and wildlife topics?

If so, Venture Outdoors with us! This half-day program includes both classroom and field trip sessions. Topics will include: a forest health update (bugs and disease), tree identification, wild game update, and cost share opportunities.

Partnering agencies include Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and other educational groups.

Bring your own bag lunch. Water provided. These events happen rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. 

For more information, please contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147 x 3389.

Registration is required. Please print and return this form. 

Spring Venture Outdoors

Attention landowners! Do you want to know more about current forestry and wildlife topics?

If so, Venture Outdoors with us! This half-day program includes both classroom and field trip sessions. Topics will include: a forest health update (bugs and disease), tree identification, wild game update, and cost share opportunities.

Partnering agencies include Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and other educational groups.

Bring your own bag lunch. Water provided. These events happen rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. 

For more information, please contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147 x 3389.

Registration is required. Please print and return this form. 

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Fungi

Learn about the role of fungi in forested ecosystem. 

YouTube Premier

Generation NEXT Webinar: Be Lawyer Ready

  • May 27
  • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Online
  • $10/family

Legal experts will discuss how to prepare before meeting with a lawyer to discuss legacy planning. Good preparation saves time and money, and helps get the outcomes you want for your land and heirs.

  • Agenda and registration coming in late March.
  • Contact Karen Snape, ksnape@vt.edu, 540-231-6494, for details. 

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June

Teaching Trees

  • June 24 & 25
  • Augusta County
  • $25

These 2-day, field-based professional development sessions are for middle and high school teachers. They focus on local ecology, forest management, and sustainable forest products. A lodging stipend is available for those traveling more than an hour round trip.

  • Agenda and registration available in April.
  • Contact Ellen Powell, ellen.powell@dof.virginia.gov for details. 

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: After the Storm 2: Cleanup Safely

Karen Snape continues her storm damage clean up series. 

YouTube Premier

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July

Teaching Trees

  • July 8 & 9
  • New Kent County
  • $25

These 2-day, field-based professional development sessions are for middle and high school teachers. They focus on local ecology, forest management, and sustainable forest products. A lodging stipend is available for those traveling more than an hour round trip.

  • Agenda and registration available in April.
  • Contact Ellen Powell, ellen.powell@dof.virginia.gov for details. 

Generation NEXT Workshop

  • July 24 & 25
  • Warrenton

Join conservation, legal, and accounting experts to learn what tools are available to help you pass your land on to the next generation, while keeping it intact, in forest and farm, and in family. 

  • Agenda and registration coming in May
  • Contact Karen Snape, ksnape@vt.edu, 540-231-6494 for details. 

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August

Beyond the Basics Woodland Owner Retreat: Managing Your Forest for Timber Income 

  • RESCHEDULED  - August 6-8 
  • Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox
  • No Lodging
    • Individual $65
    • Couple $110
  • Lodging Thurs. & Fri.
    • Individual $105
    • Couple $190
  • Registration and agenda coming June 2026

This day and a half retreat will cover the people and process involved in a timber sale. A combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on sessions will be used to teach the concepts of sustainable timber harvesting. The program will conclude with a virtual timber sale activity. 

Topics include:

  • People involved in a timber sale
  • Overview of the forest industry
  • Factors that affect price
  • Is your timber ready to sell?
  • Field trip with active timber harvests
  • Virtual timber sale experience

On site lodging is available for individuals and couples. Couples lodging is limited to 5 couples and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To maximize your experience, we strongly encourage participants to stay on site. 

Registration fees include 3 meals on Friday and 2 meals on Saturday, plus refreshments, field trip transportation, and materials. 

Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391, for more information. 

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September

Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat

Details and registration coming in March

Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391, for more information. 

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October

50th Anniversary Fall Forestry & Wildlife Field Tours!

  • October 20-23

Join the celebration of Virginia's longest running forest landowner program!  Special stops and swag!

16th Biennial Longleaf Conference

The Biennial Longleaf Conference, sponsored by The Longleaf Alliance, is a regional conference that is focused on the restoration and conservation of the longleaf ecosystem that once dominated the landscape within the southeastern United States. The conference provides the opportunity for people from all over the southeast to get together, share, learn, and celebrate longleaf. It also serves as a rallying spot for several other organizations and government agencies seeking to stage additional events in order to better collaborate on the conference topics.

This conference is open to individuals, private landowners, land managers, wildlife biologists, conservation groups, consultants, university researchers, forestry professionals, agency and outreach personnel who share an interest in restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem. On average, attendance ranges from 250-400 depending on conference location. The conference also draws from 25-35 exhibitors and vendors.

For more information, contact Sarah Crate, sarah@longleafalliance.org.

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November

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December

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2026 Programs