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...

Forest Management: Beyond the Basics

New in 2022, this advanced Reteat will take a deeper dive into specific woodland and wildlife management topics as identified by past Retreat attendees. The location of Beyond the Basics will annually rotate between the three locations.  In 2023 it will be in Southeast Virginia. 

Here's what 2021 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."
Landowner Weeked Retreats
At the 2018 Central Beginning Woodland Owners' Retreat in Appomattox, participants learned about the Virginia Department of Forestry's loblolly pine management.

Upcoming Retreats

  • Beginning Retreat 
  • March 24-25 2023
  • Holiday Lake 4-H Center, Appomattox
  • Individual, No Lodging - $65
  • Couple, No Lodging - $110
  • Individual, Thurs. & Fri. Lodging - $105
  • Couple, Thurs. & Fri. Lodging - $190
  • Agenda
  • Register online
  • Beyond the Basics Advanced Retreat
  • September 8-9, 2023
  • New Kent Forestry Center, Providence Forge
  • Registration opens July 2023