Virginia Department of Forestry

Virginia Department of Forestry Protecting and developing healthy, sustainable forest resources in Virginia This agreement governs the use of our social media sites.
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Social Media User Agreement

The following terms and conditions constitute the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) Social Media User Agreement. Please read this agreement carefully. If you use any part of VDOF’s social media sites, you agree to comply with this agreement. The terms and conditions of this agreement may be modified at any time. Comments
Comments submitted by the public to our soc

ial media sites are reviewed by VDOF staff and may be hidden or deleted if the comments violate this agreement. Comments should be related to the specific topic as it appears in the agency’s social media page or post. You are subject to the Terms of Service of the host site which is a third-party entity separate from our agency. Consequently, any information (photos, videos, etc.) you share with or post to our official agency sites is also subject to the terms of service of the host site whose owners may use the information you share for their own purposes. VDOF’s social media accounts are not intended to accept and display comments promoting or opposing any person campaigning for election to political office, or to promote or advertise a business or commercial transaction, product or service. The use of obscene, threatening or harassing language is prohibited. The cordial expression of opposing points of view is permissible. However, personal attacks against an individual for any reason are prohibited, including attacks or offensive comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial, age, or religious group, gender, sexual orientation or disability status. Comments advocating illegal activity or posting of material that violates copyrights or trademarks of others are prohibited. Editing and Deletions

VDOF reserves the right to review, edit, move, or delete any information or material submitted to our social media sites. VDOF reserves the right to block and ban visitors who violate the terms and conditions of this agreement. The following materials or information shall not be submitted to VDOF’s social media site and are subject to review, editing, moving, or deletion as stated above:
• Obscene or threatening language or hate speech based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Abusive, defamatory, or sexually explicit language or materials.
• Promotions of services, products or political organizations.
• Information of a personal or sensitive nature, including but not limited to phone numbers, email addresses, or postal addresses.
• Repeated off-topic posts by a single user.
• Repetitive posts copied and pasted by multiple users.
• Posts or comments that advocate illegal activity.
• Infringement on copyrights or trademarks. Requests for information
Communications made through VDOF social media outlets do not constitute a legal or official notice or comment.

Pollinators of all kinds play a crucial role in healthy forests, gardens and grasslands. 🐝🪲🐜🦇🦋🐦📸 : Eastern redbud cultiv...
06/11/2026

Pollinators of all kinds play a crucial role in healthy forests, gardens and grasslands. 🐝🪲🐜🦇🦋🐦

📸 : Eastern redbud cultivar (Cercis canadensis), indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), Joe Pye w**d (Eutrochium purpureum)

Last month, DOF responded to 57 wildfires that burned more than 200 acres. In dry, hot weather, lawn mowers are another ...
06/09/2026

Last month, DOF responded to 57 wildfires that burned more than 200 acres. In dry, hot weather, lawn mowers are another potential spark for wildfires.🌡️🔥 Follow these tips to reduce risk:

🌤️ Mow before 10 a.m. while humidity is still high and temperatures are cooler
💨 Avoid mowing dry grass or when it's windy
🔧 Keep your mower well-maintained to prevent overheating
💥 Scout for potential strike hazards - metal lawnmower blades can strike rocks, spark and start a fire

A section of the former national champion loblolly pine was delivered to its permanent home at DOF's headquarters in Cha...
06/04/2026

A section of the former national champion loblolly pine was delivered to its permanent home at DOF's headquarters in Charlottesville last week. This massive tree grew for approximately 275 years in Dinwiddie County. After the tree fell, this section was preserved for decades at the Georgia-Pacific plywood mill in Emporia and was gifted to DOF when the mill closed in 2025 so the public could enjoy it.

With the help of Rocktown Urban Wood, the section was restored and mounted on a custom base using white oak and granite. Visitors can now interact with this amazing piece of Virginia's history. DOF is also working on developing an interpretive sign that will share more about this tree's story.

Caterpillars of the spongy moth (previously known as gypsy moth) emerge in the spring to feed on the foliage of various ...
06/02/2026

Caterpillars of the spongy moth (previously known as gypsy moth) emerge in the spring to feed on the foliage of various hardwood species. This invasive moth has been in Virginia for a while, with populations fluctuating from year to year.

DOF monitors spongy moth populations and impacts to address outbreaks on state lands and help inform suppression efforts on other lands in cooperation with state and federal partners. You can also help us track spongy moth populations by reporting sightings on iNaturalist.org

Most trees can withstand a year or two of defoliation from spongy moth caterpillar feeding, but there are additional measures landowners can take to protect their trees. Learn more on DOF's website: https://ow.ly/hsOe50RK0Ne

Virginia's drought continues, with cumulative precipitation still well below average heading into June.Especially given ...
06/01/2026

Virginia's drought continues, with cumulative precipitation still well below average heading into June.

Especially given the dry conditions, be sure to maintain safe burning practices this summer: https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/wildfire-prevention/before-you-burn/

Despite recent rainfall, DEQ and the Drought Monitoring Task Force are continuing the existing drought advisory. Read more in our press release below 👇

05/29/2026

Have you ever seen an ovenbird nest? If not, you're in for a treat! 🪺👀

The ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) believes in working smarter, not harder. Instead of competing for food and nest sites in the canopy, they find insects by walking and hopping along the forest floor. They also nest on the ground, using camouflage in thick leaf litter. The nest resembles a tiny pizza oven, hence their name!

Because of this nesting strategy, breeding ovenbirds require mature, contiguous tracts of deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous closed-canopy forests. In this video, a female ovenbird is seen incubating three eggs, as its mate is heard singing in the background.

Want to get forestry news without the algorithms and scrolling? Sign up for the Understory newsletter! 🗞️  No spam, sale...
05/21/2026

Want to get forestry news without the algorithms and scrolling? Sign up for the Understory newsletter! 🗞️ No spam, sales or subscriptions. Once a month, we'll send you the biggest stories, highlights, and upcoming events. Sign up in seconds on our website—link in the comments.

They're baaaack! 🪰 👀 Have you seen spotted lanternfly nymphs in your area? They begin hatching in April.These invasive i...
05/19/2026

They're baaaack! 🪰 👀 Have you seen spotted lanternfly nymphs in your area? They begin hatching in April.

These invasive insects feed on more than 70 plant species, so check around your yard. If you find any, squash, stomp and smash on sight. 🥾

Another important measure is to remove any invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) on your property. See the comments for resources on tree of heaven ID and treatment methods.

05/18/2026

Calling all landowners and producers—this one’s for you.🚜🌳

You're invited to spend the day with Friends of the Rappahannock, Virginia Department of Forestry, Appalachian Sustainable Development - ASD, and York River Steward to explore silvopasture in action on June 18 from 9AM–5PM, located in Rapidan, VA.

At this event expect to gain practical skills in site assessment, forage establishment, and integrating trees with livestock, delivered through an engaging, hands-on learning experience. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

RSVP for free at, https://www.rappahannockroundtable.org/product/landowner-silvopasture-workshop/

Address

900 Natural Resources Drive Ste 800
Charlottesville, VA
22903

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+14349776555

Alerts

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