Virginia State Forests

New State Forest Dedication

2011-06-22T09:18:00.000-04:00

The Old Flat State Forest – a 320-acre highland meadow and upland forest with tree species typical of Appalachian forests – will be dedicated Sunday afternoon as Virginia’s 22nd state forest. The Commonwealth’s newest state forest is located near the summit of Mount Rogers (Virginia’s highest peak) in Grayson County. The property borders a private Christmas tree farm; US Forest Service land, and the Grayson Highlands State Park near the village of Whitetop, Va.

“We’re very excited about the Old Flat State Forest,” said State Forester of Virginia Carl Garrison. “Its location and 5,000-foot elevation will provide a unique opportunity for us to conduct valuable forest research; establish a partnership with the Christmas tree industry – which means jobs and millions of dollars for Virginians; provide a demonstration site for best management practices as they relate to the growing of Christmas trees; enable us to protect and improve the Fraser fir seed source, and could become a site to re-establish the American chestnut and the red spruce.”

Old Flat SF was acquired by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) to provide a site for a second-cycle Fraser fir seed orchard and research opportunities for high-elevation tree species. The property will be jointly managed by the Mount Rogers Area Christmas Tree Growers’ Association and the VDOF.

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

2011-05-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

The traps this year are being installed and monitored by a private contractor working for the United State Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) and the Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). If a trap has fallen down or if you have questions regarding a trap please call Delta 21 Resources Inc at 877-207-9406.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2011-04-25T11:20:00.000-04:00

At the end of March, the maintenance crew of the state forests met at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest to help stabilize a short stretch of the new Underground Line Trail where it comes out to Rt. 618. We fertilized, seeded, and strawed approximately a quarter mile of trail where it follows an old logging entrance. This area was seeded at the conclusion of the logging activity, however, due to dry conditions, the grass seed did not take the first go round. So in the interest of protecting the soil and trail bed, we decided to give it another go. Hopefully this time we will see success and it will add a nice "green" aspect to the trail.

Trout Stocking

2011-04-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

On April 12th, DGIF and Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest once again stocked Holliday Creek with rainbow and brooke trout. As a reminder the trout stream is a delayed harvest site. The regulation reads as follows: Only artificial lures with single hook may be used in these waters between October 1st and May 31st. During this time all trout must be immediately released unharmed. General statewide fishing regulations apply between June 1st and September 30th.

I know this isn't a great picture but it really is hard to get a good picture of moving fish and those guys were too slippery to hold long enough for a good shot. Hopefully maybe some of our anglers will hook into one and can post a good picture of a caught trout!

Cumberland Multiple Use Trail

2011-04-20T16:47:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update to let our visitors know that today I went out with my trusty chainsaw and cleared the Cumberland Multiple Use Trail (CMT). I didn't get every little stick crossing the trail but any that prevented the easy passage of a hiker, mountain biker, or equestrian were removed. There are still some hazardous trees near the trail that need to be addressed in the very near future but for now the trail should be passable and enjoyable once more. I did note a bad stream crossing, a major wet area that needs to be rerouted, and some erosion issues. Hopefully I will be able to get our staff to address these issues soon. Also I hope to get some fresh blazes put up to avoid confusion on forest roads and rogue trails. That is all for now, this weekend sure would be a pretty one to come on out and enjoy the CMT!

Whitney State Forest

2011-03-30T13:25:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the volunteers from the Fauquier Trails Coalition and Trail Blazers, the Whitney State Forest now has marked trails! One trail is still in need of marking, then our trail system will be complete. We are working on providing a map to show these new blaze markings and the trails. Three markings will be seen on the trails to indicate the direction of the trails: Straight, Left Turn, and Right Turn.

Mourning the loss of a great forester!

2011-03-21T10:39:00.000-04:00

It is with a heavy heart that I bring this next update to the Virginia State Forest blog. On March 17, 2011 the Virginia Department of Forestry lost a great coworker and friend, Vance L. Coffey. Vance passed away on Thursday from cancer at his home in Cumberland County. Vance was a 21 year veteran of the Department of Forestry where he spent most of his career as the Forest Manger for Cumberland State Forest. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and daughter.

For those who had the pleasure of knowing Vance, he was an outstanding forester and a great friend who you could always rely on. He took great pleasure in his work on the forest, always thinking outside of the box as to how to apply different mangement techniques and make Cumberland State Forest an ideal setting to showcase silviculture. Vance would often say that if you looked and listened hard enough, the forest would tell you what it wanted. I like to think that as future managers of the forest are working in the woods, they will hear Vance whispering in the breeze, telling them to see the forest for the trees and so much more. We will miss you greatly my friend!

New Sign Welcomes Users to Carter Taylor Trailhead

2011-03-15T13:42:00.001-04:00

I've often been asked where people visiting the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest can park to best access all of our trails and features. Hopefully this new sign at the entrance to the Carter Taylor Trailhead will take care of that. Located near the intersection of Andersonville (Rt. 640) and Francisco (Rt. 636) Roads, this sign directs users into the trailhead parking area. A new fence around the small parking lot by the picnic shelter should direct cars to park in that location while horse trailers or larger vehicles can proceed around the gravel loop to the larger gravelled parking area. From this location, users can access all 22 miles of multiple use trail on the forest. The only trail not accessible via this parking lot would be the hiking only Trout Trail which is accessed from Rt. 614 where Holliday Creek crosses the road.

In other news, I recently blazed a majority of the Orchard Trail. While it shows on the map as a "green" trail that runs through the northern portion of the forest, finding it was a whole other experience. Now users should be able to follow green diamond blazes to enjoy this 6 mile multiple use trail that ties into the Carter Taylor Trail. I still need to attach some blazes to pickets and drive them in the ground where there were no trees to attach to but in the meantime between the map and blazes, folks should be able to better figure out where to go. I know green isn't the most ideal color but it was easier to just blaze it that way than to order thousands of new maps with a changed color scheme. Enjoy!

Undergound Line Trail

2011-03-08T14:45:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that the new Underground Line Trail at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is now complete and open for use. This trail, accessible via the Carter Taylor Trailhead, stretches approximately 5 miles across the forest ending almost at Rt. 24. The trail is a double track shared use trail open to equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers. This rolling trail takes users through a variety of forest stands including bottomland, multi-age pine plantations, hardwoods, and open fields. The trail is blazed with orange diamond markers with double blazes at key turns (of which there are few). I still need to fabricate a small sign where the trail crosses Rt. 640 as it is not a direct crossing but hopefully users will figure it out until I get a sign put up.

There are multiple stream crossings for watering stock, but please be careful as some of this are rather soggy on the approaches. I will be working on a solution for those which are truly bad. There are a few steep inclines where it might be best to dismount and lead your stock or walk your bike. Some small stumps still exist so be mindful of footing. Overall the trail is very pleasant and should offer users a great experience and chance to see wildlife. I am in the process of getting a small parking area put in on the Rt. 24 end but this will likely be restricted to car parking as I would prefer to have equestrian rigs come to the Carter Taylor Trailhead. I have noticed there has already been a fair amount of use along the trail. Please enjoy this new trail and let me know of experiences and post pictures if you wish (or you can send them to erik.filep@dof.virginia.gov and I will post them with your permission). Have fun!

Spring Tips

2011-03-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

With the weather improving daily, recreationists are beginning to take to the woods to seek relief from the cabin fever they've endured during the winter. Virginia's State Forests are a great place to "get away from it all" and enjoy a secluded visit with nature. With 21 State Forests, 19 of which are open to public (Devil's Backbone and Bourassa are not), there is plenty of land for folks to enjoy. Here are a few things to keep in mind when recreating on a state forest.

Try to acquire a good map of the area. Some forests have a recreation map which can be found at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/ whereas others may rely on topographical or aerial photography maps found at local outdoors stores and websites.
Take plenty of food and water as these are not usually available at or near the site. Don't forget supplies for any furry friends you might have along.
Let someone know where you are going to be and roughly how long you will be gone for.
Check out the state forest rules and regulations found at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/
Bring a cell phone. Many of our state forests have limited reception but if something happens, it might be your only way to contact help. Call 911 for emergencies. We are working on implementing GPS help points to reference on some of our forests that will help EMS coordinators figure out how to best get to your location.
Check local kiosks for important information including safety numbers and warnings of dangerous conditions/wildlife.
Plan for the unexpected. Weather conditions change, bodies are fragile and despite your physical condition injuries can happen, and help may not always be close by.
Practice Leave No Trace principles. We like our forests to remain as pristine and trash free as possible!
Respect other trail users! Not everyone is out for the same experience as you but with a little respect, we can all have a good time.
Have fun and let us know about your experience by contacting stateforest@dof.virginia.gov.

Attention Equestrians

2011-03-01T13:47:00.000-05:00

Effective March 2, 2011, an updated regulation will take effect regarding the Coggins test for equine infectious anemia. The updated regulation specifies that “all horses assembled at a show, fair, race meet or other such function or participating in any activity on properties where horses belonging to different owners may come into contact with each other in Virginia must be accompanied by a report of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia.” For years horse owners have been required to have a valid Coggins test when horses are assembled, and the updated regulation clarifies this. Assembly of horses for a trail ride on public property such as a state park is an example of an activity requiring horse owners to have a valid Coggins report with them.

Starting March 2, rangers in state and national parks may check for Coggins papers, and owners without valid test reports could be charged with a Class I Misdemeanor and asked to leave the park. As is currently the case under existing regulations, owners presenting fraudulent paperwork can be charged with civil penalties as well.

“Equine Infectious Anemia is a serious disease,” said Dr. Richard Wilkes, VDACS State Veterinarian. “It affects all members of the equine species and is found in nearly every country of the world. All infected horses, even those that are asymptomatic, become carriers and are infectious for life. Infected animals must either be destroyed or remain permanently isolated from other equines to prevent transmission. The change in regulation is not drastic, but it is important and horse owners need to take seriously the need for a valid Coggins test each year prior to any assemblage with other equines.” Wilkes says that horse owners may get a Coggins test by contacting their local large animal veterinarian. They routinely pull blood samples and submit them for Coggins testing.

For more information, horse owners should contact their veterinarian or VDACS’ Office of Veterinary Services at 804.786.2483.

Predatory Beetles Released on Channels State Forest

2011-02-02T10:53:00.000-05:00

This blog was borrowed from my sister blog: Virginia Forests, but since it is taking place on a state forest I thought my readers would enjoy a bit of education. Enjoy!

Researchers from Virginia Tech released 1,000 Laricobius nigrinus beetles into a stand of eastern hemlocks on the Channels State Forest. The tiny black beetles are known predators of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Raised under controlled conditions at Virginia Tech, the beetles are part of an ongoing research project under the direction of Dr. Scott Salom.

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a non-native invasive pest that is devastating eastern hemlock trees. Since its introduction from Asia in the last century, the HWA has advanced throughout the range of the eastern hemlock, leaving a swath of dead and weakened trees in its path. With a plentiful food source and no predators to slow it down, HWA has spread unchecked for decades. Chemical treatments can control HWA on an individual tree by tree basis; chemical control of HWA on a large-scale forest landscape is not practical.

Prior to its introduction in the eastern U.S., HWA was identified on western hemlocks in the Pacific Northwest. Western hemlocks have survived the HWA invasion much better than their eastern counterparts. The presence of predatory insects in the Pacific Northwest may limit populations of HWA. From this comparison, it is generally accepted that the only effective means of saving our eastern hemlocks will be biological control.

Not much bigger than the bug that it eats, Laricobius nigrinus is a native of the Pacific Northwest. And while it will feed on other species of adelgid, studies show that it prefers HWA. Also, L. nigrinus is active during the winter months, which coincides with peak HWA activity.

The slow-growing, shade-tolerant hemlocks provide crucial protection against erosion. Hemlocks shroud and protect most of the cold streams that tumble down our mountains and provide increasingly rare habitat for native brook trout and many other species. Multiple hemlock stands stretch along the numerous streams of the Channels State Forest. Over the next several years, the research team from Virginia Tech will monitor the selected hemlock stand to determine if the beetles are surviving, reproducing and having an effect on the HWA populations. The tiny bug with a big name may provide an opportunity to save an important species.

Zach Olinger, Matthews State Forest

Holliday Lake Forestry Camp - More Than Just Trees!

2011-01-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

Nominations are open for the 65th annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, to be held June 13-18 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center. This action-packed camp is hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry, with support and cooperation from other conservation agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals.

Forestry Camp is much more than a walk in the woods. Campers experience hands-on learning about wildlife habitat, tree identification, timber harvesting, reforestation, environmental protection and more. They also take part in exciting field trips, exploratory classes, outdoor recreation and a Lumberjack Field Day.

Teachers, natural resource professionals and others working with youth may make nominations for this popular camp. Campers must be Virginia residents 13-16 years old with good academic standing, have an interest in natural resources, and must not have attended Forestry Camp before.

Financial sponsorship is generously provided by forest industries, conservation agencies, associations and individuals. As a result, every camper selected to attend receives a scholarship and pays only $75 to attend the week-long residential camp. New sponsors are always welcome.

To nominate a camper, visit http://www.dof.virginia.gov/. Nominations are due by April 8.

For more information, please contact Ellen Powell at 434.220.9083.

I am normally both a counselor and a teacher of Forest Management and Ecology at this camp. It is truly a fantastic opportunity for youth to reconnect to the outdoors. Almost all of the teens attending Forestry Camp leave with either a smile from having such a good time or a frown because they don't want to leave. Many of the staff were once campers who have gone on to professional careers in Natural Resources and now want to give back to the camp that helped kick start their interest. If you know anyone who fits the requirements above, PLEASE get them nominated, they will thank you for it!

Walk in the Forest

2011-01-24T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Rappahannock Chapter of the Society of American Foresters presents a "Walk in the Forest"

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 7am - 4pm
Where: The Virginia Department of Forestry's New Kent Forestry Center
             11301 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140
                                     Rain or Shine

7:00am           Guided Birding Trip
10:00am         Guided Nature Hike (also at noon and 2pm)
11:00am         Exhibits Open and Seedlings Available
                      Free Tree Seedlings and Planting Demonstration
                      Forestry and Wildlife Exhibits
                      Firewise Community Information
                      Papermaking and Other Crafts

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day with us. There is no cost to participate in this event!

Questions? Contact Lisa Deaton at 804-512-2933 or lisa.deaton@dof.virginia.gov

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2011-01-20T09:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a productive day down at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. The morning started off with a prebid meeting for proposals on drilling a well at our multiple use parking area. This well will service users of the trails and allows trail riders to wash down their equipment or animals to keep from spreading invasive species as well as allow horse riders to water their stock. After the meeting I rode down to Holliday Creek where I was met by officials with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. With the help of two Gators and an ATV we stocked Holliday Creek with approximately 300 trout. These fish were beautiful, but unfortunately I forgot my camera! The trout stocking takes place twice a year allowing anglers in Central Virginia to have a chance at trout normally found in the cooler waters of the mountains. Holliday Lake is actually deep enough to allow the trout to live there year round and it is always exciting to hear from a fisherman who was lucky enough to land one.

When fishing for trout in Holliday Creek, you need to know that it is a delayed harvest site. The regulation reads as follows: Only artificial lures with single hook may be used in these waters between October 1st and May 31st. During this time all trout must be immediately released unharmed. General statewide fishing regulations apply between June 1st and September 30th.

After finishing up with the stocking I headed out along the Trout Trail which is a hiking only trail that allows access to Holliday Creek specifically for trout fishing. The trail passes along a mixture of rapids, deep pools, shallow flat water, and waterfalls. As I hiked along the trail I put up some nice high visibility blue blazes. This should help prevent anglers from getting lost like I did when I missed a sharp turn that crossed the creek. Look for double blazes that indicate a turn so that you don't wander off into the forest. The Trout Trail runs approximately three miles and connect Route 614 to Route 640. There is also a small section that runs on the opposite side of Route 614 that ties into the Carter Taylor Multiple Use Trail. Pickup a map at the state forest office on Francisco Road, print one off online, or check out one of our kiosks for trail locations.

Whenever life is getting you down or you just need to get away, come on out to Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and cast your line. Between the scenery, the solitude, and the fish, you won't be disappointed!

ABSF Equestrian Parking

2011-01-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

Last week a new feature was welcomed to the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest Equestrian Parking facility near the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. A corral measuring 60ft x 120ft was built adjacent to the horse trailer parking area and picnic shelter. This corral will allow users to pen up horses while they enjoy other features of the forest or take a rest. A proposal for a hand pump well was issued this week and should be bid out in February. I am still hopeful that this area will be fully ready for users this spring. In the meantime users are more than welcome to park at this area and make use of the existing facilities. I hope equestrians and other users will find the improvements at ABSF a welcome change and will feel more at home at this beautiful state forest.

New Picnic Shelter at ABSF

2010-12-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest has a beautiful new addition to the multiple use parking area on Francisco Road. The picnic shelter and tables are part of a project to create a new multiple use parking area for recreationists visiting the forest. Equestrians will be especially pleased with the area as it will feature pull through gravel parking, a corral, hitching posts, a mounting block, and available water. The area is central to ABSF's expansive trail system and will serve as a trailhead for the new Underground Line Trail which stretches 5 miles across the forest. Two barbeque grills are awaiting installation to accompany the picnic shelter. The shelter is available on a first come first serve basis and can hold up to 32 and is handicap accessible (though we need to add some compacted gravel to form a short path to the shelter). Please stop by and have a bite to eat while enjoying the beautiful forest!

Ultra Marathon at Appomattox Buckingham State Forest

2010-12-09T08:58:00.001-05:00

The 16th Annual Holliday Lake 50K++ is to be held on February 12, 2011 at 6:30am. This run will test runners endurance while pleasing their senses with a scenic forest backdrop. The race starts at the Holliday Lake 4H Education Center and follows forest roads and trails through the beautiful Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest as well as around the breathtaking Holliday Lake. There will be a pre-race pasta dinner the night before, a light breakfast in the morning for racers, and prizes for those who finish and qualify.

Last year, if you remember that far back, there was a horrible blizzard just in time for the race. But guess what, the race went on! So if you enjoy running long distances, come on out for some fun!

Information and Application

Closing Dates for the Conway Robinson State Forest

2010-10-26T15:56:00.000-04:00

The Conway Robinson State Forest will be closed to recreational use on Monday Nov 15, Monday Nov 22, Tuesday, Nov 30, and Monday Dec 13 for the Deer Management Program, which is continuing for its third year. According to data from the neighboring Manassas National Battlefield, deer populations are about 160 per sqare mile, even though biological carrying capacity is 40-60 per square mile. This overpopulation has affected tree regeneration in the forest and damaged the habitat for other species of wildlife. The goal of the program is to reduce the deer population. Hunting will be conducted only on those four days listed above. Please contact stateforest@dof.virginia.gov with any questions.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding!

This Just In: Hunting at the Lesesne

2010-09-30T15:09:00.004-04:00

LIMITED HUNTING

Lesesne State Forest in Nelson County will be open for Archery and Black Powder hunting only during the following dates:

2010/2011 Season
Early Archery Season: October 2 – November 12
Late Archery Season: November 29 – January 1
Early Muzzle Loader Season: October 30 – November 12
Late Muzzle Loader Season: December 11 – January 1

• First come, first serve.

• Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting laws apply.

• A State Forest Use Permit is required and can be purchased wherever DGIF permits are sold.

For more information or to purchase a permit on-line, visit www.dof.virginia.gov.

Hunting Season

2010-09-29T13:01:00.004-04:00

With archery season opening this weekend across a majority of the state, I would like to caution all visitors to state forests and other recreational areas to be careful while enjoying our natural resources. To protect yourself during hunting season (this goes for hunters and other users):

1) Dress in layers as temperatures can fluctuate greatly this time of year

2) Wear blaze orange, on your head as a minimum, however, the more you
wear the better people can see you

3) Drive cautiously, be aware of human, machine, and increased animal traffic across the roads

4) Drink plenty of water (just because it's not hot doesn't mean you don't need water)

5) Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone

6) Always carry some basic survival gear: flashlight, water, waterproof matches or lighter,
flagging, an emergency heat blanket, a knife, and simple foods (granola bar, etc)

7) Be respectful of other users!

Hunting is allowed on the following forests (caution should be used on all of them):
Appomattox-Buckingham
Cumberland
Prince Edward Gallion
Conway Robinson (by lottery)
Matthews
Sandy Point
Browne
Channels
Dragon Run
Big Woods

Don't forget that you need a forest use permit on top of your hunting license to hunt on State Forests. You can purchase this permit online or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Also check out http://www.dof.virginia.gov/ for more information about hunting on State Forests including maps. Thank you for reading and please be safe out there!

Deer Hunt on Conway Robinson State Forest

2010-08-26T11:43:00.001-04:00

The 444-acre Conway Robinson State Forest is a mixture of pine and old growth hardwood stands in Prince William County, adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield and Route 29.
The forest is used for environmental education, hiking, mountain biking, preservation of historic sites, watershed protection and timber production. It also serves as a wildlife and wildflower sanctuary. Officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) recognized issues pertaining to declining forest health, future forest management, deer herd health and community safety. To actively manage these issues, foresters implemented a Deer Management Program on the forest. For more details and history, read the 2010 Deer Management Report.
Interested in participating in deer hunts on the forest? Read the Hunter Protocol and then submit an online ballot to enter the lottery. Hunters will be selected from a drawing of the ballots.

2010 Hunting Season on the Conway-Robinson State Forest.

Hunter Protocol Map of the Conway-Robinson State Forest (English; PDF format).
Online Lottery Ballot for the 2010 Hunting Season

New Trail at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-08-18T12:43:00.002-04:00

The other week I got to witness the biggest thing in the forest, a Tigercat mulcher! I had contracted this machine and it's operator to clear a five mile stretch of trail on the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest. This trail, tentatively called the Underground Line Trail, stretches from Rt. 618 all the way across the forest to the new Carter Taylor Parking area near the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. The Tigercat performed this task in just a few short hours. Although the trail had some existing cleared areas from when it was maintained as a phone line right of way, it had become vastly overgrown. The machine used it's powerful mulching head to grind grass, trees, and woody debris to make a 10+ foot wide trail.

It was spellbinding to watch this large machine work. I apologize that I could not get a better action shot but this machine required a lot of caution while in operation. Even standing several hundred feet behind the machine, it was not unusual to hear the occasional rock go zinging through the trees nearby.

The trail still needs a bit of work to give proper height clearance for users and to clear around some stream areas where the machine could not cross. Otherwise it is currently passable and open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are no signs or blazing for this trail as of yet but if you stay in a straight line you can hardly go wrong. This is currently a straight line trail but I am working on getting some old logging roads bushhogged so that loops can be made.

I will of course let everyone know when this trail is "officially" open but in the meantime if you are out there, take a chance and check it out, and let me know what you think.

New State Forest in Rockbridge County

2010-07-26T10:09:00.001-04:00

The Commonwealth of Virginia now has 20 State Forests with the addition of the 2,353-acre Moore’s Creek State Forest in southwestern Rockbridge County. Purchased from the City of Lexington, the tract features mountain vistas, scenic trails and abundant wildlife, including black bear, wild turkey and a host of migratory songbirds.

Funding for the purchase, which totaled $2 million, was provided to the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) through the General Assembly’s 2008 conservation bond fund.

“With the exception of Lexington’s 40-acre reservoir in the center of the property, this tract is completely wooded and is surrounded on three sides by the George Washington National Forest,” said Carl Garrison, state forester of Virginia. “Large tracts of unbroken forested acres, which provide numerous environmental benefits for all Virginians, are becoming increasingly rare in the Commonwealth. We are very grateful to the City of Lexington for allowing us to become the stewards of this forest.”

Because of the steep terrain and limited access, timber harvesting is not part of the nascent management plan at this time. But for those people who are willing to hike the moderate-to-difficult 2 1/4 –mile trail, they will be rewarded with some excellent brook trout fishing. And, since the City of Lexington has retained ownership of the reservoir and associated dam, anglers will pay $1 for a daily fishing pass instead of having to purchase an annual State Forest Use Permit – required for fishing on other State Forests – for $16 per year. People wanting to hunt, trap or mountain bike on the tract, however, must have the State Forest Use Permit, which can be purchased through the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries website or at local retail outlets authorized by DGIF to sell hunting and trapping licenses.

“Area residents can be assured that we have no plans to conduct a timber harvest on this land during the foreseeable future,” Garrison said. “While timber harvesting is an important forest management tool that we recommend, the condition of the timber and the limited access on this site simply don’t lend themselves to harvesting at this time. What you see there now is what you’ll see for a while.”

Rob Farrell, VDOF’s assistant director for land conservation, said this acquisition was a win-win situation for the City of Lexington and the citizens of the Commonwealth. “Through the concerted efforts of area conservationists, such as Daphne Raz and Faye Cooper, and the City of Lexington’s Manager Jon Ellestad and Attorney Larry Mann, a significant forest has been forever protected. Virginians for generations to come will reap the benefits of this good work.”

Access to the trailhead is via US Forest Service road off State Route 612 in southwestern Rockbridge County. As with most of the State Forests, visitors should carry their own supplies, such as drinking water, and be advised that there are no facilities at the Moore’s Creek State Forest.

For more information on this or any of the other 19 State Forests, visit the VDOF website at www.dof.virginia.gov .

The Whitney State Forest Saga

2010-07-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

There has been some interest on the blog as to what the future of the Whitney State Forest holds and more specifically what may be done concerning some of the invasive species found there. Here is a short synopsis of planned activities:

approximately 1 acre of kudzu control
approximately 15 acres of understory herbicide application in a Yellow Poplar stand to control invasives (Multiflora Rose, Wineberry, Bittersweet)
Approximately 11 acres of bittersweet control in the thinned area (cut and spray vines running up trees)
Burn the field (winter)
Plant shortleaf in the clearcut
Herbcide release of shortleaf seedlings over the next several years
Gravel for the parking lot
New kiosk
Replace stream crossing with engineered ford crossing

Also it is worth noting that we do know about the trail becoming overgrown for about 1/2 mile where it crosses one of the fields. Currently our tractor with the bush hog is down for repairs but as soon as that is back in service this portion of the trail will be tended to.

If you have interest in helping state forest staff with invasive control or trail work at the Whitney please contact Terry Lasher or Joe Rossetti at the Faquier County office at (540) 347-6358. We are more than happy to have volunteers on board and you can even earn a free forest use permit good for one year from the completion of the necessary hours.

Regardless of the content of the comments, I am very happy to see that so many people are concerned about the Whitney State Forest. Concern equals care, if no one cared then no one would be concerned. Thank you for the love and devotion to this wonderful resource!

PS...If you would like to know more about identifying and controlling invasive plant species consider attending the Good Green, Bad Green Invasive Plant Control for Habitat Restoration Conference in Front Royal on September 16th and 17th. The website for more information is: http://www.forestryforthebay.org/ggbg/. This should be a very information workshop and well worth your time.

A Commentary on Clearcuts and Trails

2010-07-14T12:23:00.003-04:00

To many people the word clearcut is the equivalent to any choice four letter word and conjures up the image of a wasteland. On our State Forests we often get comments from forest users when a clearcut occurs, especially when their favorite trail runs adjacent to or through the area. I am not going to pass judgement on anyone for their beliefs about forest management. First of all, I can easily see why people get upset over clearcuts. They are not aesthetically pleasing and it is hard not to miss the mature trees that once stood there. What I hope to accomplish is to give a different perspective on clearcuts and explain why we do them.

In forest management foresters apply basic ecological principles to manipulate or control the natural changes and reactions of trees to planned disturbances. Harvesting methods such as thinning, clearcuts, etc. are all types of planned disturbances. However, these methods all mimic unplanned disturbances. What are unplanned disturbances? Wildfire, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, insect invasions, disease, etc. If you were to look at a clearcut versus a patch of forest hit by a hurricane, the differences would be minor with the exception of the wood being absent from the ground. Foresters try to be copycats of mother nature, afterall she has been taking care of the forests since the beginning.

So why do we clearcut instead of letting mother nature do it? There are many reasons. Income, to change species composition (hardwood to pine or vice versa), wildlife habitat, etc. In the most recent case of a clearcut, at the Whitney State Forest, the objective was to harvest a mature stand of White Pine (that was beginning to fall apart naturally) and replace it with a native stand of Shortleaf Pine. Trees do have a lifespan and will eventually die on there own. In a recreational setting such as a State Forest we must take caution when trees are beginning to die as this poses a risk to users passing by underneath.

Well how can a clearcut be good for wildlife when there are no trees left? Clearcuts allow for full sunlight to hit the ground. This allows more grasses and shrubs to become established alongside tree seedlings and stump sprouts. These grasses and forbes provide a food source and habitat not found in a mature forest. Birds, small mammals, and other animals need these things to survive. It may look like a tangled nightmare but think of it from a rabbit's perspective. Do you think you would be safer in that tangled thick brush/thorns or on an open forest floor? A good friend of mine was helping me with a forestry talk recently. We were with a group of adults standing next to a clearcut which was separated from a mature forest by a gravel road. He showed the group something special. He told them to close their eyes and listen carefully. Then he asked what they heard. The answer was bird calls. Then he asked from which direction they were coming. The group sheepishly admitted that it was coming from the clearcut. Neotropical birds thrive in clearcut environments where small seed sources and shelter are readily available.

So I think I have beaten the subject to death, I could keep going, but hopefully I gave readers a little more information to think about. Again, for those of you who don't like clearcuts, I'm not saying you're wrong in your opinion or that you have to like them because foresters do. I'm just trying to bring to light why we use them and will continue to.

Whitney State Forest Reopening

2010-07-12T16:33:00.002-04:00

I am pleased to announce that the Whitney State Forest will be reopened on Thursday July 15, 2010 around 4pm. Forester Joe Rossetti will be at the forest from approximately 4-7pm to answer any questions and talk about the harvesting operations. I do ask that people use caution while walking near the thinned pine area as there may still be branches hanging in the canopy. We appreciate everyone's patience while this important harvesting was completed. Thank you and please enjoy our beautiful forest!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-06-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

The new parking area at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is slowly moving ahead. The gravelled parking area is complete and a kiosk framed has been erected. I am still working on the signage for the parking area as well as for the trail and along the road to direct people to this area instead of parking near our shop complex. The picnic shelter for the parking area has been awarded and construction should begin in late July/early August. I am currently working on plans for a horse corral and non-potable water source. There will also be an equestrian mounting block and several hitching posts for use.

I am also continuing work to contract out the trail clearing for the new trail that will stretch from the new parking area out to Rt. 618 near the intersection with Rt. 24. This trail will be multiple use and will give users a good tour of the various ecosystems found on the forest. My hope is to have the parking area ready for full use by Fall of 2010 and then new trail ready by Spring 2011.

New Trail at Cumberland State Forest

2010-06-29T09:47:00.005-04:00

Last Thursday and Friday I had the great pleasure of working with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) group from Bear Creek Lake State Park. These young men spend three weeks of their hard earned summer vacation performing various work for the state park including maintenance, moving the archery range, and trail work. In a welcome partnership with Bear Creek Lake State Park, park ranger Joey Dayton, offered me two days of service from these hardworking gentlemen.

Led by three team supervisors the group showed on Thursday morning not knowing fully what to expect except that it was going to be HOT! In near 100 degree temperatures I led them to Arrowhead Lake on the Cumberland State Forest. Our goal was to clear a one mile trail that would take users on a loop around the lake. The trail was designed to give fishermen better access to different parts of the lake as well as provide a short nature trail for enjoyment. The plan is to eventually put a picnic shelter at the parking area for the lake which would allow forest visitors a chance to enjoy a meal and then enjoy the woods.

The YCC group was an absolute pleasure to work with. They were constantly talking and laughing all while digging in the heat. They chopped small trees, cleared brush, and dug a trail down to bare dirt in no time. The high temperature did take effect on the crew by the early afternoon, but I was more than happy to turn them loose early to go back to the park and get some swim/free time in. The next day the crew showed up ready to work and quickly found their rhythm. The trail is approximately halfway done, reaching from the far side of the dam almost to the creek that feeds the lake. I didn't expect them to finish the trail in only two days but they certainly put every effort towards it.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards the YCC group as well as the state park for allowing me to use them! I look forward to participating in the YCC program in the future as this is a great opportunity for young men and women to gain valuable experience in a natural resource career. THANK YOU YCC!

Whitney State Forest

2010-06-29T09:27:00.002-04:00

So it's been a while since I've been able to do any updates on the blog as I've been away at fire training, Forestry Camp, Green Infrastructure training, and doing trailwork. It's time for some brief updates.

The latest word on the harvesting on the Whitney is that the Loblolly pine clearcut is complete, the Loblolly pine thinning should be done this week, and then a small (5 acre) White Pine clearcut should be completed next week. Once all of the harvesting is complete, state forest managers are going to let the forest "settle" for a day or two to let any hanging branches or other hazards to users find their way to the ground. After that short reprieve, the forest should be reopened for public use. The forester for the area, Joe Rossetti, has mentioned doing a possible forest walk/show and tell to offer users a chance to see the harvests and talk about forest management. I will let you know when that will be offered. If you have an interest in forestry and particularly that forest, I strongly encourage you to attend as it promises to be very informative.

State Forest personnel truly appreciates everyone's patience while the forest was closed for harvesting. Again the closure was done primarily for user safety while addressing forest health and management. I hope to see you on the Whitney sometime in July!

Whitney State Forest Closing Part 2

2010-05-28T08:03:00.004-04:00

A little better clarification as to exactly what is going on. I misspoke when I said the clearcut area would be planted in Loblolly, it will be planted in Shortleaf Pine which is a slower grower but more valuable wood and will add more diversity to the forest. Here is a short excerpt from the state forest manager for the Whitney:

Timber harvesting is scheduled to begin on or around June 2 in two stands of the forest. The stands to be cut are identified on the map as “LP31 A” and “LP31 B”. They are colored dark green. Both stands are comprised primarily of Loblolly pine planted 31 years ago. Prior to planting, these areas were fields.

Area “LP31 A” will be clearcut, treated to control invasives, possibly prescribed burned, and replanted with Shortleaf pine.

Area “LP31 B” will be thinned to improve the growth rate, vigor, and health of the remaining trees. Trees harvested in this thinning were marked by Department of Forestry personnel. Each tree was selected for harvest for one of two reasons. Either it has a characteristic that makes it unlikely to develop into a more valuable tree, or while nothing in particular is wrong with the tree marked for harvest, another tree adjacent to it exhibits better characteristics. The logger will take care to minimize damage to the trees remaining in the stand after the harvest.

The Whitney State Forest is part of the State Forest system of Virginia and managed by the Virginia Department of Forestry. The Virginia Department of Forestry is a state agency and receives its funding from tax dollars for the majority of it’s programs and operations. However, the State Forest system is a portion of the agency that receives no funding whatsoever from tax dollars. All of the money for the State Forest system is generated from the state forests through timber sales, use permits, and firewood sales. 25% of the money generated a state forest is given to the county that forest is located in. The remaining 75% pays for reforestation, maintenance, vehicles, equipment, and salaries of state forest personnel. Timber was last harvested from the property in 1960 before it was donated to the Commonwealth in 1972.

Whitney State Forest Closing

2010-05-27T22:21:00.003-04:00

The Whitney State Forest will be closing on June 1st due to some much needed timber harvesting. Due to the forest's small size and location of the harvesting, the state forest manager feels it is necessary to close the forest to protect the public and the loggers.

I know this is frustrating for users of this forest but please keep a few things in mind. First, it really is for your safety. Logging is the most dangerous job in the U.S. and accidents frequently happen. Broken branches can fall from the top of trees at any time. Logging equipment is large and loud, operators have difficulty seeing people walking around and will not hear you either. Another reason we are closing the forest is to help protect the loggers. Imagine how you would feel if you were responsible for the injury of another (unintentionally). Also profit margins in logging depends on the speed that the logger can get the trees on the ground, on the truck, and to the mill. If the logger has to worry about forest users or a truck gets blocked by a users vehicle then the logger loses money.

So why is this harvesting necessary? Well one of the stands of Loblolly needs to be thinned to increase the productivity of the trees and help to keep them insect and disease free. Another stand of Loblolly pine has reached maturity and will be harvested and then replanted with Loblolly pine seedlings next year. Will this affect the aesthetics of the forest? Well, yes. I will not lie and say that logging is pretty but it is necessary. Also keep in mind that the state forests are self sufficient and do not use taxpayer dollars to function. We must cut timber to afford to keep our forests open.

So if you frequent the Whitney State Forest, please bear with us during this closure. The faster the loggers get done, the faster we can reopen the forest. If you have any questions about the closure please don't hesitate to leave a comment for me or contact our Warrenton office at 540-347-6359.

Volunteer Pass Now Available!

2010-05-20T10:41:00.002-04:00

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you want to help make the State Forests more enjoyable for yourself and others? Then consider volunteering with the Virginia Department of Forestry on one of our 20 State Forests. Most of our forests have trail systems that offer a users a variety of enjoyable activities from hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, physical fitness, and peace of mind. Many of our trails, however, are in need of a little bit of tender love and care.

The Virginia Department of Forestry now has the ability to reward you for volunteering on our forests. With just 10 hours of volunteer time you can earn a free forest use permit which allows you to hunt, trap, fish, bike, and ride horses on our state forests. This is normally a $16 annual fee. The permit will be good for one year from the date of issue. All you have to do is fill out a volunteer form and timesheet and have a local forestry official sign off on your volunteer hours; your pass will then be mailed to you.

So how can you volunteer? Talk to a state forest employee or county forestry official to see if any specific tasks need to be done. To be honest, we aren't very picky. You can pick up trash along our roads, help remove invasive plants, cut brush from trails, or a number of other activities. Virginia's State Parks consistently ranks highly among America's State Parks because of the hard work of their many volunteers; we hope to be able to maintain the same enjoyable atmosphere in our forests. So put on some bug spray, smear on some suntan lotion, grab your gloves, and come on out to a State Forest near you!

DCR Virginia

2010-05-19T15:09:00.001-04:00

DCR Virginia

Posted using ShareThis

Birding

2010-05-19T14:28:00.005-04:00

Recently the Nation Audubon Society conducted a survey of Virginia Important Bird Areas (IBA). I was forwarded a list of species found while one of the surveyors was at Cumberland State Forest. In just three hours she found all of the following on the forest:

Ovenbird 21

Cape May warbler 2

Louisiana waterthrush 4

Hooded warbler 8

Northern parula 8

Red-eyed vireo 24

Carolina wren 7

Wood duck 1

Blue gray gnatcatcher 9

Eastern pheobe 1

Kentucky warbler 3

Eastern wood peewee 8

Downy woodpecker 2

Great crested flycatcher 6

Acadian flycatcher 9

Northern cardinal 2

Common yellowthroat 12

Tufted titmouse 4

Northern flicker 1

Prothonotary warbler 2

White-eyed vireo 6

Blue jay 4

Yellow-billed cuckoo 6

Red-bellied WP 4

Pileated woodpecker 2

American crow 5

Indigo bunting 8

Black polled warbler 5

Prairie warbler 15

Yellow throated vireo 3

Black and white warbler 5

Bay-breasted warbler 1

Scarlet tanager 6

Field sparrow 4

Red headed WP 1

Chipping sparrow 1

American goldfinch 3

Carolina chickadee 2

Red-shouldered hawk 1

Wood thrush 4

Blue-headed vireo 2

Pine warbler 4

Yellow breasted chat 6

Eastern towhee 6

Brown headed cowbird 2

Yellow throated warbler 1

Brown thrasher 1

Summer tanager 2

Northern mockingbird 1

Now just imagine what you could find in a whole day!

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

2010-05-13T13:02:00.005-04:00

Have you seen this purple box? Do you know what it is? If you guessed a trap used for detecting the Emerald Ash Borer, you are right! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has found it's way into Virginia.
EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

Back to the traps now. I had an opportunity to participate in the monitoring for this insect through the Society of American Foresters. I have placed two traps at Holliday Lake State Park and two at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I will be checking these traps in late June and then again in August before taking them down. I certainly hope that I don't find anything.

DCR Virginia

2010-05-03T14:16:00.001-04:00

DCR Virginia

Posted using ShareThis

Zoar State Forest

2010-04-29T10:22:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I also took the opportunity to drive down to Aylett and check out Zoar State Forest. Last time I was out here in December, most of the forest was underwater due to all of the rain and snow we had. I must say that in spring, this forest is nothing short of wonderful! The historic house (our office on site) and the surrounding buildings look reminiscent of the civil war era with a beautiful dogwood in the front.

The real jewel of this forest is the Mattaponi Bluffs River Trail which is on the northern end of the forest. This short trail makes for an excellent after lunch stroll. There is a canoe launch and two short loop trails for users to enjoy. Visitors are greeted by great views of the Mattaponi as well as massive trees such as American Beech, River Birch, American Holly, and many others. Most of the interpretive signs and trail maps are in disrepair but I've been told that local boyscout troops and the Mattaponi Pamunkey Rivers Association are going to be taking care of that soon enough. I gave a packet of tree identification plaques to the boyscouts to install so that users will know what trees they are seeing.

For a town that was once best known for it's prostitution and gambling, Aylett now holds one of our best small forests. Take some time to visit this one!

Sandy Point

2010-04-29T10:05:00.007-04:00

Kiosk at entrance
Picnic pavilion at the river

Parking lot/entrance
Yesterday I visited Sandy Point where an eagle scout project is planned to help bridge the pavilion area along the river to another trail. This will require about 100 feet of boardwalk to cross a swampy area and then approximately half a mile of trail to connect the areas. This is certainly going to challenge the scout as he only has two months to complete the project! There are many opportunities for scout projects on this state forest as well as others.

While at the forest I looked at another possible trail to connect the pavilion area to Meadow Road, which would make a nice loop through the swamp. The planted longleaf are looking good and hopefully a prescribed burn will soon wipe out the surrounding competition from loblolly pine, sweetgum, grass, and ailanthus.

The Mattaponi was beautiful yesterday and showcased it's value as a bald eagle flew right over my head. Unfortunately I was not quick enough with the camera. There is a bald eagle nest on the property but I'm not telling where, I'll let you all find it on your own. Sandy Point is also home to the pink ladyslipper and some purple loosestrife.

Cumberland State Forest

2010-04-29T09:51:00.008-04:00

On Monday I spent a wonderful day playing in the rain at Cumberland State Forest. I started the day off by taking a hike around Channel Cat Loop at Bear Creek Lake State Park. On May 15th during the trail celebration I will be leading a guided hike about trees and wanted to get a preview and some talking points. Halfway around this 2 mile loop the sky opened up and I got drenched. But it was totally worth it when I encountered a whole colony of pink ladyslippers! For those who don't like pine plantations and say they are not diverse, I would say, why then does this uncommon orchid make it's home there?

After getting out of the rain for a bit I decided to hike along the Cumberland Multiuse Trail and clear some downed trees. I also wanted to check on the swinging bridge and some other areas. I also began to look at a trail that will extend from the southern swinging bridge, past three beaver ponds, following the Willis River and Bear Creek, and popping out on the far side of the forest. This would be potentially a 5+ mile loop with an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing.

At the end of the day I had a great time visiting with the wonderful Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park and we prepare for the May 15th trail celebration!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-04-29T09:07:00.005-04:00

Azalea in bloom
Sphinx moth flying
Swallow nest?

Last week I completed the flagging of the new trail. All together it's about 5 miles long, on rolling terrain, with 17 stream crossings. We are already looking to contract a skidder or bobcat with a mulching head to clear the trail. With any luck this trail should be completed within a year. Here are some pictures of what you might expect to find while out on the trail.

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-04-22T15:51:00.003-04:00

The trail saga at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest continues. I finally finished flagging the last of the potential new trail and have begun to look at looping options. The trail is roughly 4.75 linear miles (however the terrain is rolling which should add more actual mileage) and has 17 stream crossings. While implementing this trail will be difficult, it is my hope to have it completed and ready to open by Spring 2011 (maybe April).

This trail passes through a variety of scenery from hardwoods, various life stages of pine, soggy bottomland, clearcuts, and wildlife meadows. While on the trail today I saw at least 5 turkeys, a large black snake, and lots and lots of bear scat. I will hopefully have some pictures downloaded soon as I also saw a bird's nest nestled in the tall grass, dogwoods in bloom, rhododendron in bloom, and a sphinx moth. I also ran into some VDOF hoodlum's preparing to put in fire lines around a clearcut area adjacent to the trail. They will then burn this area in preparation for a new generation of Loblolly pine seedlings. It's amazing what you might see when you are out enjoying Virginia's forests!

Virginia Hunter Skills Weekend

2010-04-21T14:11:00.004-04:00

Below is a program put on by Holliday Lake 4-H. I will be at the Organizational Extravaganza on Saturday evening with information about all of our state forests but especially those where hunting/trapping is allowed. I will have maps, information, and other goodies! Come on out.

Virginia Hunter Skills Weekend

A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PRESENTED BY: HOLIDAY LAKE 4-H CENTER May 14-16, 2010

Want to learn new hunting skills or hone the ones you have?
Looking for expert instruction? Then this is the workshop for you!

WHO CAN ATTEND? Ages 11 - 90+ (under 18 must attend with parent, Hunter Education class completion a plus, not required)

CLASS SELECTIONS INCLUDED: DETAILED CLASS DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE AT holidaylake4h.com/vahunterweekend.php

- BOW HUNTING - SHOTGUN - MUZZLELOADING
- TREE STAND SAFETY - WILD GAME COOKING - TRAIL CAMERAS
- HABITAT MANAGMENT - TRAPPING - GAME PROCESSING
- DEER HUNTING SKILLS - TURKEY HUNTING SKILLS - WOUNDED GAME RECOVERY
- WATERFOWL HUNTING SKILLS - SMALL GAME HUNTING SKILLS - RIFLE

COST: ONLY $85.00! INCLUDES: Meals Friday dinner- Sunday lunch, lodging, and all instruction. WHAT A DEAL!

REGISTER: holidaylake.com or 434-248-5444
Space is limited, register now!
vahea.org holidaylake4h.com dgif.virginia.gov

Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.

Friends of Holliday Lake State Park Meeting

2010-04-19T10:57:00.003-04:00

So you may be thinking, why is Erik advertising for state parks? Well, simply put, the people who usually show interest in helping out the state parks will also show interest in helping out a neighboring state forest. Being a part of the "friends of" groups allows me to develop personal relationships with park staff and folks that care as much about our natural resources as I do. It is my hope that this will lead to a better cooperative relationship between the Department of Forestry and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The staff of Holliday Lake State Park and officers of the Friends of Holliday Lake State Park will hold an informational meeting for persons interested in joining the Friends of Holliday Lake State Park organization. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Lake 4-H center in Appomattox on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 6:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Friends are a formal group of volunteers who have special interests to help support projects and programs that assist park management. These groups organize special events, raise money, schedule workdays and partner with local businesses. They also contact the media and the legislature to get the word out on issues important to parks. This is essential in today’s fiscal environment because of the budget and staff reductions. They are in essence, an advocacy group for the park.

For more information on the Friends of Holliday Lake State Park, please call 434-248-6308. Please contact the park if you plan to attend this meeting. For inquires about other park volunteer opportunities visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

National Park Week

2010-04-16T13:50:00.002-04:00

To make it easier to experience America's Great Outdoors, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees, so visitors can enjoy all 392 national parks for free April 17-25. In addition, many national park concessionaires are offering special promotions that are certain to add to your fun.

This would be a great weekend to go up to Shenandoah National Park and see if you can find the bear in my picture. With all of the wildflowers blooming Sky Meadows would be beautiful. The low humidity's this weekend should make the scenic overlooks extra special since the visibility will be good. Feel free to share stories if you go out!

Volunteer Pass

2010-04-14T14:54:00.002-04:00

Volunteering your time has many benefits. Now the Department of Forestry can reward you for all of your hard work. For just 10 hours of your time, the VDOF can issue you a free state forest user permit good for one year! While we are still working out our volunteer program and time recording, if you let me or one of our staff know that you are doing volunteer work or organize a volunteer workday, we will gladly reward you for your efforts. We hope to eventually come up with a volunteer program that strongly mimics the state parks, after all they are experts at getting volunteer help to keep Virginia Parks rated at the top nationally. Let me know any ideas you have for local volunteer efforts or workdays. We have plenty of projects to go around!

Trail Clearing

2010-04-14T14:48:00.003-04:00

A local rider recently assisted me with identifying areas along the Cumberland Multiuse Trail where trees have come down and now block the trail. She also pointed out an area on the trail that may need to be rerouted due to year round wet conditions. I hope to get the trail cleared up as soon as possible and work on rerouting that small section. Vigilant users are already helping to make the state forests more enjoyable, thank you!

On a similar note, while the Department of Forestry does appreciate any and all trail work and help, please do not use chainsaws to clear the trails yourselves. This puts the VDOF in a sticky situation with OSHA and liability for injury. If you come across downed trees that need to be removed please make note of the location (a GPS point would be ideal) and let me know about it. This way we can not only make the state forests more enjoyable but safer as well.

Whitney State Forest trail closure/reroute

2010-04-14T14:41:00.005-04:00

Last week, forester Joe Rossetti, technician Chris Clayton, and myself helped to close a small section of trail on the Whitney State Forest. The trail followed the natural fall line of water and went almost straight downhill causing major erosion and creating an unstable tread. With the help of a local eagle scout and some boyscouts we were able to close that section of trail and reroute it along the contour of the slope. The eagle scout project involved building brush impoundments on the closed section of trail using hazard trees cut from the trail. They even added a creative hand etched rock sign telling users to turn. They installed water bars on both sections to help prevent future erosion. A big thank you goes out to the scouts and staff involved!

While we were up there we were able to open all of the trails on the forest which had been blocked by fallen trees. The forest should now be completely open for use. Please let me know of any additional problems that anyone comes across out there.

YCC to help in Cumberland

2010-04-14T10:52:00.003-04:00

Members of the Youth Conservation Corps will be taking a short break while working at Bear Creek Lake State Park to assist with a project on the Cumberland State Forest. On June 24-25 the YCC group will be assisting me with clearing a short section of trail from the southern swinging bridge to the state forestry headquarters. This crew's help will go a long ways towards helping with the forest's recreational goals. Many thanks to Bear Creek Lake State Park for offering the assistance. I love it when agencies can work together to benefit the public!

Event

2010-04-13T13:02:00.003-04:00

Ok, so this event doesn't have anything to do with the state forests, however, it does involve the Virginia Department of Forestry. This saturday, April 17th, Montpelier is having a grand celebration for the opening of the new demonstratin forest. This forest was a colaborative effort by Montpelier, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Ballyshannon Foundation, Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and a consulting forester to implement and show off various forest management practices that would be applicable to forest landowners. The practices include a portable timber bridge, a wildlife meadow, crop tree release, shortleaf pine planting, thinning, hardwood management, and best management practices (BMP's). The demonstration forest offers a one mile trail that connects the Landmark Forest and the Montpelier grounds. Interpretive signs will guide users through the forest and explain the practices they see. This is a beautiful site and would be a great day trip.

Refreshments, tours, cake, and a dinner are all part of this celebration. Tours of the forest start at 1pm and go through 4pm followed by the opening ceremony where former senator John Warner will speak as well as various other natural resource professionals. The schedule is as follows:

*12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Demonstration Forest Tours (last tour departs at 4:00 p.m.)
*1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Outdoor Children's Activities
*5:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremony

Barbeque dinner and reception to follow.
Admission to Montpelier and Opening Ceremony: $16 adults/$8 Children 6-14/$10 Virginia Garden Week Ticketholders/Free for Friends of Montpelier and Children under 6.

Barbeque Dinner: $25 adults/$10 Children Under 12

More information can be found at: www.montpelier.org.

Please join us as this promises to be a great day!

Cumberland State Forest

2010-04-13T10:17:00.003-04:00

So I've posted a few items about what's going on at Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest but here is some information about Cumberland State Forest. As the second largest state forest (16,222 acres) CSF is a great place for a day trip and can be combined with a visit to Bear Creek Lake State Park which has camping or top of the line cabins available. Both the forest and the park have a fairly extensive system of trails that provide a good experience for any user.

There are currently two new trails planned for Cumberland to be done as time, money, and labor are available. The first would be a loop trail around Arrowhead Lake which would be approximately one mile in length. If I can get a good bid on picnic shelters I would like to place one at Arrowhead Lake towards the spillway on the dam. I would also like to eventually fix up the boat ramp, however, I feel the issue of sedimentation filling in the lake must be addressed first. The second trail is planned from the southern swinging bridge (past Arrowhead Lake) through some wetlands and ending near the State Forest Headquarters. This would be a great trail for birdwatching and general wildlife activity as it passes through some diverse habitat. I haven't decided if these will be multiple use yet, it largely depends on how the tread will turn out once we initially begin construction.

Currently equestrian parking takes place in the field in front of the historic house and state forest headquarters. We have decided to move parking to another area of the forest. I have applied for a Land and Water Conservation Grant to move the parking lot across the road next to the neatly thinned pines. There is another area that could be used and may be planned if the grant falls through. This area is located off of Goff Road which is down towards Rt. 60. Both locations would provide good access to the Cumberland Multiuse Trail (CMT)and would give users more room to spread out and would provide amenities such as hitching posts, a mounting block, a picnic shelter, corral, and a non-potable well (though we may be able to tap into a water line and make it potable). I know moving the current location is not desirable but it has been decided that we need to move parking from our "front lawn" if you will and give users a more stable area that could be used in all weather conditions. For the time being, however, users can still park in the field until another facility has been built.

Speaking of parking, four new small parking lots have been constructed on the forest along the CMT and Willis River Trail. These lots are located on Bear Creek Forest Road, Rock Quarry Road, Rt. 624 near the Willis River Trail, and Warner Road at the northern swinging bridge. These are fairly small lots but would be ideal for bikers and hikers (car parking).

So that was a mouthful but hopefully gives everyone some insight as to what's going on down in Cumberland. Come on out and check out this awesome forest!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-04-12T18:32:00.002-04:00

So today I ventured out to complete flagging a stretch of potential new trail on the forest. This trail stretches from Rt. 24 across the forest to the Walker multiuse trail. The new section would add on about 5 miles without any loops (I am looking at loops for the future). The trail follows an old AT&T line which means it's straight as an arrow, however, there are plenty of rolling hills to go around. There are plenty of streams as well, 15 to be exact. The tread is in pretty good shape overall but a lot of brushing and cutting needs to be done before this trail can be open for business. When open this trail would take users through a mixture of pine plantations, upland hardwoods, swamps, and wildlife meadows. I saw a nice flock of turkey on the trail as well as a variety of birds. This proposed trail should add an attractive ride for those willing to take the time!

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest

2010-04-08T11:05:00.000-04:00

At just under 19,808 acres, Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is the largest forest in the state forest system. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and geocaching. Soon even more users will be able to enjoy this gem of a forest.

A large multiuse parking lot is under construction just west of the intersection of Andersonville Road and Francisco Road. This parking area is approximately 2.5 acres in size and will eventually allow for parking by hikers, bikers, and horse trailers. The gravel base for the parking lot is nearly complete. Eventually the parking lot will include an informational kiosk, picnic shelter, horse corral, a mounting block, hitching posts, and a non-potable water source. The parking lot will be situated conveniently to allow access to the Orchard Trail, Walker Trail, and Carter-Taylor multiple use trail.

This project will hopefully be completed during the summer of 2010. Please come out and enjoy the new facility and check out the trails while you are in the area. Within the forest you will also find Holliday Lake State Park and the Holliday Lake 4-H Center. It is just a short jaunt down Route 24 to the historic Appomattox National Battlefield where General's Lee and Grant met to sign the surrender agreement for the civil war.

New cool website!

2010-04-08T10:17:00.000-04:00

Do you want a great vacation? Don't have the funds to travel across the country? Why not enjoy some of what Virginia has to offer? With 35 state parks, 20 state forests, and countless other natural areas taking a vacation locally is a great way to save some cash and get to know our Commonwealth (maybe you will discover why this great state is a "common-wealth"!

Check out http://www.visitmyforest.org/ to find local attractions to your area and learn a bit about prescribed fire benefits while you are there. VDOF's own Fred Turck helped to develop this awesome website which guides folks to a variety of natural resource features which are sure to please anyone looking for a good time in the outdoors. So grab your backpack, fishing rod, horse, bike, canoe, or just your vehicle and a sense of adventure and head out into our great state!

Upcoming Event

2010-04-08T09:37:00.000-04:00

Join the folks at Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest on May 15, 2010 for an afternoon of fun as we celebrate our natural resources and the grand opening of some new trails on the park. There will be refreshments, guest speakers, activities for children, and guided hikes for anyone interested. I will be leading a tree id hike along the Channel Cat Loop trail.

Did you know?...Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest were at one time just one big recreation area. Towards the end of the Great Depression the land was deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the federal government who had purchased the land through the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act. The land was in poor condition after constant agricultural use and people there could no longer farm it for a living. Bear Creek Lake was built on the property which provided a recreational opportunity. Slowly more recreational features were developed around the lake and eventually Bear Creek State Park was formed to handle the lake and recreation while Cumberland State Forest was split off to care for the developing forest land.

So where are these forests?

2010-04-08T08:50:00.000-04:00

Do you know if there is a state forest near you? Take a look at this map, you might be surprised. If you would like more information on the state forest nearest you please visit our website at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stforest/index.htm. At the website you can find out everything you need to know about the state forests, including a google map, recreational/hunting maps, rules and regulations, and what recreational features you can find there.

State Forest Use Permit

2010-04-07T11:07:00.000-04:00

As of July 1, 2009, a State Forest Use Permit is required for those persons aged 16 or older to practice the following activities on a state forest:

•ride horses
•ride mountain bikes
•hunt
•fish
•trap

A valid Virginia hunting license or fishing license in addition to a State Forest Permit ($15 per year) are required for hunting, trapping or fishing on the forest.

A State Forest Use Permit is not required for forest visitors who practice the following activities on a state forest:

•walking
•hiking
•boating

Permits can be purchased two ways
•Go to any location where you purchase a hunting license. Ask the clerk for the "State Forest Permit" to be added to your license.
•Use your credit card and purchase a permit online from the Virginia Department Of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) Web site.

Currently the penalty for being caught without a state forest use permit is a Class 4 misdemeanor which can be punishable by up to a $250 fine. The penalty for not having the use permit while hunting/trapping is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine.

For more information on the Virginia's State Forests and the State Forest Use Permit go to the Virginia Department of Forestry website at
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stforest/index.htm

Recreation in the Woods

2010-04-07T10:37:00.000-04:00

OK folks, so the powers that be in the Virginia Department of Forestry decided to create the position of a recreation forester for Virginia's State Forests. I was brought on in November of 2009 to see if this idea could be successful. Well it's been five months and I have to say things are going pretty well. I have made many great new friends and contacts who share my passion for enjoying Virginia's abundant natural resources.

The Virginia Department of Forestry currently manages 20 state forests (with one more hopefully coming soon) that contain nearly 70,000 acres. These forests can be found throughout the Commonwealth with the largest forests being found in central Virginia. While many of these forests do not have much to offer in the way of recreational facilities, they do have a lot of potential. What I need are IDEAS! I am looking for input from current and potential users of our state forests to see what the public would like to see on the forests. I will be posting some of my current projects and ideas on here and I sincerely hope that you will comment on them to help me make the forests better. Stay tuned for updates and thank you for helping to make Virginia's forests even better!