Forestland Conservation

Here in Virginia we are fortunate in that we are never far from a forest but in many parts of the state the acreage of forests is declining.  Over the last ten years the Commonwealth has lost an average of 16,000 acres of forestland annually. Most of these acres are being lost as forested land is converted to other uses such as houses, shopping centers or roads. Loss of forested acres and the fragmentation of the remaining acres reduces the potential of the forest to provide the economic, social and ecological benefits that we depend on.

Since 1914, the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has worked to protect and improve Virginia’s working forests; these are forests that are managed for the sustainable production of forest products as well as the other benefits that forests provide. Today the VDOF is taking the lead in protecting working forests from conversion.

• Ways to Conserve Forest Land
• Benefits of Donating a Conservation Easement
• I want to learn more about conservations easements >>>.

Contact information

• Rob Farrell, Assistant Director for Forestland Conservation
• Larry Mikkelson, Forest Legacy Program Coordinator
• Mike Santucci, Forest Conservation Specialist, Central Region
• Rob Suydam, Forest Conservation Specialist, Tappahannock Region

Conservation Agencies and Programs

• Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) – Conservation of open space for recreation, scenic areas, trails, and natural heritage sites. Also provides oversight for state conservation efforts and tracking of conservation goals. Administers the Virginia Land Conservation Fund (VLCF).
• Manager, Office of Land Conservation, 804.225.2048
• Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services  (VDACS) -  Conservation of working farms, certification and funding for local PDR programs. Kevin Schmidt, 804.786.1346
• Dept of Historic Resources (DHR) – Conservation of historic buildings and sites, battlefields, cultural and archeological sites.
• Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) - Conservation of wetlands and wildlife habitat, as well as wildlife management areas.
• VA Outdoors Foundation (VOF) - State body that is the primary holder of conservation easements in Virginia.
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Federal program provides rental payments to farmers for conservation practices to enhance water quality and wildlife habitat, administered by DCR.

Local Land Conservation Organizations:

• Capital Region Land Conservancy
• Central Virginia Land Conservancy
• Land Trust for Southwest Virginia
• Land Trust of Virginia
• Middle Peninsula Land Trust
• New River Land Trust
• Northern Neck Land Conservancy
• Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
• Piedmont Environmental Council of Virginia
• Potomac Conservancy
• Valley Conservation Council
• Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust
• Western Virginia Land Trust
• Williamsburg Land Conservancy

Last modified: Thursday, 15-Dec-2011 16:49:20 EST