Events Calendar

2025

December

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep

December 17 & 18
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.

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: The Twelve Shorts of Christmas

December 25 - January 5
12:15 PM
Facebook live or YouTube

The Fifteen Minutes in the Forest Team has 12 sweet shorts to celebrate the holiday! It's the twelve days of Christmas...with a natural resources twist!

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2026

January

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep

January 6 & 7
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.

Forestry Basics

January 16
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virginia Cooperative Extension Southampton Office, Courtland
Free

Registration will open in early January 2026: Calendar of Events — Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia State University.

Contact Neil Clark, neclark@vt.edu, 757-653-2572 for more information.

Conservation Easements 101

January 27
Times to be determined
Airfield 4-H Center, Wakefield
Free

Donating an easement can keep your woodlands intact. And it’s a long-term commitment that can impact your heirs. Learn the basics to see if this conservation tool is for you.

Contact Elizabeth Cooper, elizp16@vt.edu, 757-294-5303, for more information.

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February

Virginia Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Course

Online
February 16, 2026 - March 6, 2026
Free

This course was developed to promote the use of prescribed fire in Virginia, as well as raise the knowledge and awareness of Virginia’s prescribed burn practitioners. Students will gain an understanding of fire history and uses, burn planning and implementation, fire effects, and smoke management. Certified prescribed burn managers can apply for an exemption to the 4pm Burning Law to complete specific types of burning during the restricted period February 15 to April 30.

Online self-paced delivery, approximately 24 hours. Students have the flexibility to work through the materials as their schedules allow. Experienced cadre members will host virtual office hours on select dates where students can ask questions and engage in prescribed fire discussions.

Registration is now open until January 5, 2026. Click Here to Register.

Target Group: Prescribed burn practitioners, natural resource managers, consultants, and contractors.

Course Coordinators: Jason Braunstein and Michael Downey

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep

February 11 & 12
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.

2026 Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals Annual Conference

February 12-13
Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
2/12 8:00 - 5:15; 2/13 8:00 - 12:15
$120* - $175*

Learn about new, emerging, and on-going forest health concerns. Continuing education credits available.

Southern Pine Beetle Information Session

February 19
Virginia Cooperative Extension Southampton Office, Courtland
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Price to be announced

Historically, the southern pine beetle (SPB) has been the most destructive native forest pest in the Southeast. SPB, and several other native pine bark beetles, can cause significant damage to our pine resource. Last year, the Virginia Department of Forestry placed 30 traps across 12 counties in high-risk locations in Virginia. The most SPB were found in traps located in Chesterfield, Cumberland and Dinwiddie counties; these counties may experience slightly higher SPB activity within the next year.

This session will provide more information about these beetles and how to protect your pines.

Registration will open in early January 2026: Calendar of Events — Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia State University.

Contact Neil Clark, neclark@vt.edu, 757-653-2572 for more information.

Southwest Virginia Woods & Wildlife Conference

February 21
Squires Student Center, Blacksburg
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Early bird before 5:00 PM January 16 - $50/person; $90/couple
Regular $55/person; $100/couple

This conference provides information, tools, and personal contacts to help private woodland owners keep their woods, and the wildlife that live in them, healthy and productive. A variety of topics are offered to appeal to owners of both small and large tracts, and both new and experienced owners. Registration includes lunch and refreshments.

Agenda
Register online
Register by mail coming soon

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

Northern Virginia Woods & Wildlife Conference

February 28
Daniel Technology Center, Germanna Community College, Culpeper
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
$55/person; $100/couple

This conference provides information, tools, and personal contacts to help private woodland owners keep their woods, and the wildlife that live in them, healthy and productive. A variety of topics are offered to appeal to owners of both small and large tracts, and both new and experienced owners. Registration includes lunch and refreshments.

Agenda
Register online
Register by mail coming soon

Contact Adam Downing, adowning@vt.edu, 540-948-6881 for more information.

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March

Silvopasture Workshop

March 18
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Randolph Farm, Petersburg
Free

Registration will open in early January 2026: Calendar of Events — Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia State University.

Contact Kenrda Esparza-Harris, kendra.esparza-harris@dof.virginia.gov , 434-326-2599, for more information.

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.