Press Room

Facts and Figures

The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is responsible for:

• Protection of 15.8 million acres of forest land from fire, insects and disease.
• Management of 17 State Forests and other state lands totaling 48,495 acres for timber, recreation, water, research, wildlife and biodiversity.
• Assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners through professional forestry advice and technical management programs.
• Read more forest facts.

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.

Learn about the economic importance of forests.

Electronic Newsletter

The Virginia Department of Forestry's monthly electronic newsletter, Forestry Update, provides you with timely information about the services we provide landowners; the research we conduct on your behalf, and the products that we offer to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

You can access it directly from our Web site or via email if you choose to register for the free subscription. Simply take a minute to complete the “opt-in” form and you will have this information source delivered directly into your email box at the address you provide. The information you provide us as part of the subscription service will not be shared with, sold to or used by any government or private entity other than the Virginia Department of Forestry.

News releases and Alerts

• News releases and alerts.
• In The News:
  • New information about Bedford County man accused of arson . Includes video clip. (English) 2008-03-26. WDBJ.
  • Arson on Mill Mountain. Includes video clip. (English) 2008-03-17. WSLS.
  • Governor Kaine thanks firefighters, volunteers. Includes video clip. (English) 2008-02-28. WSLS.
  • Governor Kaine thanks local firefighters. Video clip. (English) 2008-02-28. WDBJ.
  • Forest Fire Money Already Spent. Includes video clip. (English) 2008-02-25. WSET.
  • The Cost Of Fighting Wildfires. Video clip. (English) 2008-02-25. WTVR.
  • 2008 State Funds For Firefighting Depleted. Includes video clip. (English) 2008-02-25. WCAV.
  • VDOF Says Wildfires Have Drained Funds. Includes video clip. (English) 2008-02-25. WHSV.
  • Local Furniture Company Unveils Green Initiative.Includes video clip. (English) 2007-12-18. WXII Winston-Salem.
  • Local Wildfire Concerns During The Dry Season. 2007-10-24. Winchester, TV3.
  • Gypsy Moths Threaten Fall Foliage In Virginia. Includes video clip. (English) 2007-09-13. WTVR, Channel 6.
  • Fall foliage will not as colorful or long lasting.. (English) 2007-09-13. WDBJ, Channel 7.
  • Wildfire That Injured Two Firefighters Now Contained. Includes: Video clip. Photos: 01 l 02 l 03 l 04 l 05 l 06. (English) 2007-09-13. WSET, Channel 13.
  • Out of control . Includes: Video clip l Slideshow. (English) 2007-09-13. Danville Register Bee.
  • Dogs ahead of investigators by a nose. Jacksonville.com. 2007-05-15
  • Down Home Virginia (2006): Fire Risk In Virginia (English, video clip).

Personnel

The Board of Forestry and the Reforestation of Timberlands Board support the strategic goals of the agency.

• 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

Reference Materials

• Economic Importance of Forests.
• FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
• Read our Strategic Plan - Shaping Virginia's Forests (English; PDF format)

Fire and Emergency Response

• Guidelines for Videographers and Reporters (English, PDF format)
• Covering Wildfire in Virginia Media Guide (English, PDF format)
• Wildfire terms
• VDOF Fact Sheet: Natural Disaster/Hurricane Response

Land Conservation

• Final Report on SJR75 (Preserving Forestland in Virginia). (English; PDF format; 1.2MB).
• Preserving Forestland with Senate Joint Resolution 75
• Forest Inventory & Analysis

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

Wldfire Prevention radio PSAs for the Fall 2007 Fire Season. (English; MP3 format)

• PSA 1 with Bill Dance l PSA 2 with Bill Dance l PSA: You Get The Bill

Radio spots for the Fall 2005 Fire Season.

• PSA 001 l PSA 003 l PSA 004

Photo Gallery

• Forestry Images
• Garland Gray Forestry Center
  Lifting - 1 l Lifting - 2 l Grading

Success Stories

• Virginia Department of Forestry Responds for Hurricane Isabel

Last modified: Friday, 28-Mar-2008 17:02:11 UTC