Events Calendar
2025
Learn to Burn: Using Prescribed Fire to Manage your Woodlands
- January 28/Rain date February 11
- Blackstone
Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled.
33rd Annual Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals Conference
- February 20-21
- Hotel 24 Staunton
- One day registration $120
- Two day registration $175
Woods & Wildlife Conference
- February 22
- Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
- $55/person; $100/couple
Join fellow woodland owners and natural resource professionals in beautiful Blacksburg Virginia for this annual day-long conference. A wide variety of topics will be presented. This conference is suitable for owners of both small and large acreages, both new and experienced woodland owners, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and those interested in learning about how Virginia's natural resources are managed.
Woods & Wildlife Conference
- February 22
- Daniel Technology Center, Germanna Community College, Culpeper
- $55/person; $100/couple
Join fellow woodland owners and natural resource professionals in beautiful Culpeper Virginia for this annual day-long conference. A wide variety of topics will be presented. This conference is suitable for owners of both small and large acreages, both new and experienced woodland owners, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and those interested in learning about how Virginia's natural resources are managed.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Stay Safe in the Woods!
- February 28
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Join Virginia Tech's Jennifer Gagnon, Dr. Anja Whittington, and Sarah Michaels as they discuss how to prepare to be safe during your woodland adventures, and how to handle injuries in the woods.
Introduction to Forest Farming
- March 13
- Orange
- $20
Learn intricate and innovative ways to make your woodland work for you and the environment. We will present a multitude of agroforestry topics and demonstrate inoculating logs to grow shiitake mushrooms.
Contact Luke Belloe bellol@vt.edu for more information.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: The Woods in Your Backyard
- March 28
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Adam Downing to learn ways to keep your small woodlot healthy and productive.
Central Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat
- March 28-29
- Holiday Lake 4 H Educational Center, Appomattox
- No Lodging:
- $65 Individual
- $110 Couple
- Lodging (2 nights):
- $105 Individual
- $190 Couple
Landowner Retreats are hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension and are geared towards landowners who are new to forest management. The Retreats use a combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on activities to provide information on hardwood and pine forest management. They also provide opportunities for interaction with natural resource professionals from various agencies in Virginia, as well as with other landowners.
Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391 for more information.
Online Woodland Options for Landowners
- April 7 - June 9
- Online
- Self-paced
- $55/family
This 10-week, self-paced, not-for-credit course is for landowners of any acreage who want to gain an introductory level of understanding of basic woodland management and become better stewards of their land.
Please register no later than March 14.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Bobcats in the Bush
- April 25
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Bobcats are the only wild cat found in Virginia. They are typically found in heavily forested/mountainous/rugged terrain, but may exist in wooded districts near farms and human habitation. Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Jason Fisher to learn more about Virginia's wild cats!
Southwest Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat
- May 2-3
- Soutwest Virignia 4H Educational Center, Abingdon
Landowner Retreats are hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension and are geared towards landowners who are new to forest management. The Retreats use a combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on activities to provide information on hardwood and pine forest management. They also provide opportunities for interaction with natural resource professionals from various agencies in Virginia, as well as with other landowners.
- Agenda available in March
- Register by mail available in march
- Register online available in March
Virginia Forestry Summit
- May 7-9
- Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke
Details and registration coming February 2025
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Slash Piles
- May 23
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Neil Clark and special guest Steve Living, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, to learn how to create and maintain brush piles for wildlife.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Before the Storm
- June 27
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Join Virginia Tech's Karen Snape to learn how to prepare your trees so they can weather storms better.
Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: TBA
- July 25
- 12:15 p.m.
- Facebook Live or YouTube Premier
Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Bill Worrell on a new woodland adventure.
Southeast Virginia: Beyond the Basics Advanced Woodland Owner Retreat
- September 2025 - dates coming soon
- New Kent Conference Center, Providence Forge
Advanced Woodland Owner Retreats are hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension and are geared towards landowners who have some experience with forest management.
Advanced Retreats take a deep dive into a specific forestry topic. They also provide opportunities for interaction with natural resource professionals from various agencies in Virginia, as well as with other landowners. A combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on activities are used.
Agenda and registration available in July.
Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391 for more information.
2025 Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School
- November 22
- St. Paul
Central Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat
- March 28-29
- Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox
- No Lodging
- Individual $65
- Couple $110
- Lodging Thurs. & Fri.
- Individual $105
- Couple $190
Beginning Woodland Owner Retreats are hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension and are geared towards landowners who are new to forest management. The Retreats 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, and provide hands-on experience with tree identification, forestry equipment, and more.
Registration includes 3 meals on Friday and 2 meals on Saturday.
For more information, contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391.