Welcome to the Virginia Department of Forestry

Our mission: We protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

The Virginia Department of Forestry:

• protects 15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease.
• manages 19 State Forests and other state lands totaling 57,553 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity.
• assists non-industrial private forest landowners through professional forestry advice and technical management programs.

More than 300,000 forest landowners in Virginia control 77% of forest land, which:

• Enhances the quality of life in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Supports the forest industry, a significant contributor to the state's economy.

The Department has an operational budget of approximately $28.6 million and employs 272 salaried staff.

You can learn about the strategic goals and objectives of the Virginia Department of Forestry and how we're achieving them.

• Strategic Plan
• Agency Performance Scorecard

You can also learn more about the mission and objectives of the VDOF.

Cabinet Secretary and State Forester

• Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry: Robert S. Bloxom
• State Forester: Carl Garrison, III
• Deputy State Forester: John Carroll
• Assistant State Forester - Administration: Brad Williams
• Assistant State Forester - Policy, Planning, and Budget: Ron Jenkins

Virginia General Assembly

• 2009 Legislative Summary
• 2009 Virginia General Assembly - Tracking Sheet for legislation affecting the Virginia Department of Forestry.
• 2008 Virginia General Assembly - Tracking Sheet for legislation affecting the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Boards and Councils

Board of Forestry

The Board of Forestry within the Department of Forestry, is composed of one member from each congressional district appointed by the Governor for a term of four years.

• For information about board members, meeting minutes, and other boards, visit our Boards and Councils page.
• To see meeting dates for these boards, visit our calendar.

Office Locations and Employment

• Find information on My County in Virginia.
• Office Directory
  • Employee Email Directory
• Jobs and Employment opportunities with VDOF.

State Forests

• State Forests

State Nurseries

• State Nurseries

Training, Workshops and Conferences

• Training classes, workshops and other events from the Virginia Department of Forestry.
• New Kent Conference Center. Training and events can be held at this center located east of Richmond, Virginia in New Kent county.
  Phone: 804.966.2201 l Map.
  You can also read our brochure about the center (English; PDF format).

Additional resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Publications
• Presentations
• Links to Partner agencies, organizations and state forestry agencies.

Last modified: Thursday, 05-Nov-2009 08:32:21 EST