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Events Calendar

2025

February

33rd Annual Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals Conference

  • February 20-21
  • Hotel 24 Staunton
  • One day registration $120
  • Two day registration $175
This two-day event will provide the latest information on issues affecting forest health in Virginia. Continuing education credits will be available. 

Woods & Wildlife Conference

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. 

  • Agenda
  • Program is full
  • e-mail jgagnon@vt.edu for waitlist
  • Contact Jennifer Gagnon, 540-231-6391, jgagnon@vt.edu for details 

Woods & Wildlife Conference

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. 

  • Agenda
  • Program is full
  • e-mail jgagnon@vt.edu for waitlist
  • Contact Adam Downing, 540-948-6881, adowning@vt.edu for details. 

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Stay Safe in the Woods!

Join Virginia Tech's Jennifer Gagnon, Dr. Anja Whittington, and Sarah Michael as they discuss how to prepare to be safe during your woodland adventures. 

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March

Bobwhite Webinar

  • March 4
  • 6 - 7:30
  • Free

Are you a new landowner who doesn't know where to start in your conservation journey? Or are you an experiened landowner looking to make changes that benefit wildlife? Join Quail Forever biologists for this evening webinar to learn more about both these topics. Presentations will include:

  • Bobwhite history
  • Bobwhite habitat
  • Habitat management
  • Financial assistnace

Register online

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep Workshop

  • March 5 & 7
  • Virtual 
  • $250 (register by February 20 th)

The 2-day workshop will prepare participants with the knowledge necessary to take the FAA Remote Knowledge Aircraft Test (aka Part 107). The workshop provides participants with an overview of federal regulations, best flight operational strategies, and safety.  

The workshop has been well-received by educators, state & federal agency employees, the private sector (ranging from engineers to realtors), and a slew of folks from various NGOs.  This workshop is an excellent resource for individuals considering using drones to support business applications or for managers who want to make solid decisions regarding their ‘drone programs’ moving forward.

More information about the workshop and online registrations is available at:  https://virginiaview.cnre.vt.edu/workshops-events/

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.

The Woods in Your Backyard Online Course

  • March 24 - June 2
  • Online
  • $125/person

University of Maryland Extension is offering this 10-week, self-directed, non-credit course. 

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.

Registration incluides the 108-page “Woods In Your Backyard” guide, workbook, and a tree identification guide. The course is limited to 25 participants, so sign up now!

For more information, go to https://go.umd.edu/the_course. To register through Eventbrite, go to https://go.umd.edu/WIYB_Spring25.

Real Forestry for Real Estate

This program focuses on the importance of forests and forestry, and provides real estate professionals with tools which may help them better market their product (i.e., rural land).  At the end of each program, we discuss the award-winning Welcome to the Woods publication and distribute a set number to each participant with instructions to hand them out to clients interested in purchasing forested lands.

For more information, contact Karen Snape, ksnape@vt.edu, 540-231-6494.

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: The Woods in Your Backyard

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Adam Downing to learn ways to keep your small woodlot healthy and productive. 

Central Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat 

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. 

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April

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.

Magestic Trees of Montpelier

Discover the Majestic Trees of Montpelier on a unique saunter through the grounds. This event is presented in collaboration with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Master Naturalists. Come explore this site from the new angle of our awe-inspiring trees. Specimens will include trees believed to have witnessed life at Montpelier during the Madison period and some of their younger but still massive neighbors planted as late as the 1900’s.

More information and register online

Real Forestry for Real Estate

This program focuses on the importance of forests and forestry, and provides real estate professionals with tools which may help them better market their product (i.e., rural land).  At the end of each program, we discuss the award-winning Welcome to the Woods publication and distribute a set number to each participant with instructions to hand them out to clients interested in purchasing forested lands.

For more information, contact Karen Snape, ksnape@vt.edu, 540-231-6494.

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Bobcats in the Bush

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!

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May

Virginia Forestry Summit

  • May 7-9
  • Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke

Details and registration coming February 2025

An Urban Forestry Tour of the Star City of the South

  • May 9
  • 12:30 - 4:30
  • Roanoke

On this tour of Roanoke (and a little of Salem), we will eat lunch at, and tour the grounds of the famous Fishburn Mansion, a 42-room Georgian-revival home built in 1907. We’ll learn about using Missouri Gravel Beds to propagate trees, community gardens, and hear from the local tree Stewards.

Next, we’ll travel over to Virginia Western Community College, a Bee Campus USA, and have a guided tour of their arboretum.

We’ll end the afternoon at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem where we’ll learn about Virginia’s Big Tree Program and see Virginia’s Champion Atlas cedar. We’ll also learn about efforts to protect urban ash trees from the emerald ash borer. 

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

Venture Outdoors: Bedford County

Get updates about hot topics in forestry.

Contact Jason Fisher, kefishe@vt.edu, 434-476-2147, for details. 

16th Annual Vegetation Management Workshop

  • May 20
  • Keystone Antique Truck and Tractor Museum, Colonial Heights
  • $75 - includes lunch

Topics will include:

  • Drone Applicator Panel: an operational discussion on what we’ve learned so far – Dan Hammond, Caleb Haymes, Jason Chavis
  • Mycorrhizal Fungi, Soil Biology, Carbon, Healthy Forests & Tree Growth – Funga & IFCO
  • Forest Management Considerations and Decision Making:  Finding Hope in a distracted marketplace – Dave Schneider, Cushman & Wakefield
  • Utility Rights of Ways Applications – Envu
  • Bare Ground & Invasive Application

and much more! Registration will open mid-March.

For more info the workshop, contact:

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Slash Piles

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. 

Southwest Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat 

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

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June

Remote Pilot (Drone) Certification Test Prep Workshop

  • June 12 & 13
  • Virtual 
  • $250 (register by May 29th)

The 2-day workshop will prepare participants with the knowledge necessary to take the FAA Remote Knowledge Aircraft Test (aka Part 107). The workshop provides participants with an overview of federal regulations, best flight operational strategies, and safety.  

The workshop has been well-received by educators, state & federal agency employees, the private sector (ranging from engineers to realtors), and a slew of folks from various NGOs.  This workshop is an excellent resource for individuals considering using drones to support business applications or for managers who want to make solid decisions regarding their ‘drone programs’ moving forward.

More information about the workshop and online registrations is available at:  https://virginiaview.cnre.vt.edu/workshops-events/

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Before the Storm

Join Virginia Tech's Karen Snape to learn how to prepare your trees so they can weather storms better. 

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July

Teaching Trees for Teachers

Teaching Trees is a 2-day training for middle and high school teachers who wish to incorporate forestry into a science or agriculture curriculum. The workshop focuses on local forest ecology, management, and products, and it includes real-world, field-based activities for students. Lodging reimbursement is available to those traveling from outside the area.

For registration information, please contact Ellen Powell – ellen.powell@dof.virginia.gov.

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: TBA

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Bill Worrell on a new woodland adventure. 

Teaching Trees

Teaching Trees is a 2-day training for middle and high school teachers who wish to incorporate forestry into a science or agriculture curriculum. The workshop focuses on local forest ecology, management, and products, and it includes real-world, field-based activities for students. Lodging reimbursement is available to those traveling from outside the area.

For registration information, please contact Ellen Powell – ellen.powell@dof.virginia.gov.

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August

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September

Southeast Virginia: Beyond the Basics Advanced  Woodland Owner Retreat 

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. 

Real Forestry for Real Estate

  • September 9
  • Mecklenburg County

This program focuses on the importance of forests and forestry, and provides real estate professionals with tools which may help them better market their product (i.e., rural land).  At the end of each program, we discuss the award-winning Welcome to the Woods publication and distribute a set number to each participant with instructions to hand them out to clients interested in purchasing forested land. 

For more information, contact Karen Snape, ksnape@vt.edu, 540-231-6494.

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October

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November

2025 Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School

  • November 22
  • St. Paul

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December

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2025 Programs