| Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|
| For Immediate Release Contact:Mike Santucci 434.220.9182 |
July 7, 2009 VDOF 09024 |
Family Forest Landowners Hold the Key to Sustaining Virginia’s Woodlands;
Forest Transition Workshop Set
Few challenges that Virginia’s 373,000 family forest land owners face are more important than the issue of passing the family forest on to the following generation. Many family forest owners want to preserve their family lands but don’t know how to involve family members in their ownership and management. If these issues concern you, an upcoming Family Forest Landowner short course may be able to answer some of your questions.
“Focusing on Forest Land Transfer to Generation “NEXT” is being offered August 12 & 19 in Charlottesville with an eye to helping sustain a viable forest land base in Virginia by assisting landowners in successfully transferring their property from one generation to the next. By engaging the next generation with effective family communications, describing the estate planning landscape, and providing effective planning tools, family members will be provided the information and means needed to minimize tax burdens and ensure continued management of their forest resource. Speakers include legal and financial experts experienced in estate planning as well as natural resource professionals who work with landowners to conserve land and plan the future.
Approximately 15.7 million acres of forest land cover approximately 63 percent of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nearly two-thirds of these woodlands, or 10.1 million acres, are in the hands of more than 373,000 family forest owners. The management decisions made by family forest owners play a crucial role in determining the health and conservation of the natural forest systems upon which we rely for the sustainable flow of natural goods and environmental services.
Virginia is blessed with an abundant and vital forest resource, providing innumerable benefits that enhance our quality of life. Benefits include wildlife habitat, clean air and water, outdoor recreational opportunities, a multitude of timber products that contribute significantly to the local and state economy, and the scenic vistas that make Virginia a special place to live and visit. But these ecosystem services benefits are threatened.
Mike Santucci, forest conservation specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry, said, “The combined forces of rapid conversion of forest and farm land, escalating land values, and an aging forest landowner are bringing about major shifts that have implications on the quality of life and the economy. Although many landowners wish to pass their forest land on to family members, few have taken the necessary steps to make that happen. This program will help tremendously.”
The short course is co-sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Forestry, with support from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Ballyshannon Fund, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and others.
For more information, please contact the Northern District Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Program at 540.948.6881 or the Virginia Department of Forestry at 434.220.9182.
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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.
With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.
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