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Events Calendar

2025

January 

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
  • Register by mail
  • Register online
  • 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
  • Register by mail
  • Register online
  • 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 Michaels as they discuss how to prepare to be safe during your woodland adventures, and how to handle injuries in the woods. 

March

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

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.

  • Final agenda available in January
  • Register by mail
  • Register online

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

April

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: TBA

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Jason Fisher on a new woodland adventure. 

May

Virginia Forestry Summit

  • May 7-9
  • Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke

Details and registration coming February 2025

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. 

June

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. 

July

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: TBA

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

August

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. 

October

November

2025 Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School

  • November 22
  • St. Paul

December

Central Virginia Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat 

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.