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Woodland Owner Retreats

Beginning Woodland Owner Retreats:

  • are hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension
  • are geared towards landowners who are new to forest management
  • provide information on both hardwood and pine forest management
  • offer chances for interaction with natural resource professionals from various agencies in Virginia, as well as with other landowners
  • provide information on estate planning, management planning and certification
  • provide hands-on experience with tree identification, forestry equipment, and more...

Beyond the Basics Retreats:

These advanced Retreats build on concepts taught in the Beginner Retreats. They take a deeper dive into specific woodland and wildlife management topics as identified by past Retreat attendees. Beyond the Basics Retreats focus on giving participants hands-on experiences with a variety of woodland management tools. The location of Beyond the Basics Retreats will rotate among the three locations. 

Here's what 2024 participants said about the experience:

  • "It was a great day and a half. Thank you for all the information! Great people!"
  • "I cannot express how much I enjoyed the program! There were so many useful nuggets of information! Thank you all for putting this together."
  • "Great workshop!"
  • "This was well presented. I learned a lot and really enjoyed it."
Three adults outdoors measuring the circumference of a pine tree with a Biltmore stick.
Participants in the Retreats learn about sustainable woodland management through classroom, field trip, and hands-on activities.

Upcoming Retreats

Central Virginia

Southwest Virginia

  • Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat
  • 2026 dates and location coming soon

Southeast Virginia

  • Beyond the Basics Woodland Owner Retreat: Managing Your Forest for Wildlife
  • September 5-6, 2025
  • New Kent Forestry Center,  Providence Forge
  • Agenda coming very soon
  • Individual
    • No lodging: $65
    • Lodging: $130
  • Couple
    • No lodging: $130
    • Lodging: $260    
  • Register by mail
  • Register online