Virginia Forest Watch


 Recent News:

Industrial-scale wind energy facility proposed on high ridges of the George Washington National Forest: Company begins filing initial turbine applications - Read Richmond Times-Dispatch March 25, 2008 article.

Virginia Forest Watch Welcomes Forester To Staff “We are very pleased to welcome Jason Woodfin to our staff” said VAFW president Jerry Gray of Clintwood, Va. “ Though we have worked with many good foresters in both Virginia and surrounding states over the years we have not been able to
Jason Woodfin
Jason Woodfin
actually place a forester on staff until now.”

Jason Woodfin will be directing VAFW’s Private Forest Program and promoting sustainable forest management practices on private lands in Virginia.

Read VAFW Press Release

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Jan. 30, 2008: Sustaining Virginia’s Forests through Forest Certification - Feeling the pressure, landowners seek new markets. New report identifies benefits, barriers. Read Press Release | View Report

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George Washington National Forest
Plan Revision

July 19, 2007: We have added “Our Land, Our Water, Our Home” - a white paper on our long-term vision for the GWNF

Roanoke Times March 7, 2007 Editorial: Under a new rule on the forests - Roanoke Times Columnist Elizabeth Strother writes about the George Washington NF Plan Revision and the new rules that will guide the process.

A call to protect the forest - an op-ed encouraging public involvement during the George Washington NF Plan Revision written by VAFW's Sherman Bamford. It appeared in the February 25, 2007 Roanoke Times.

Feb. 16, 2007: Conservationists call for ecological restoration on the George Washington National Forest - A broad coalition of conservation and forest-protection groups called on the U.S. Forest Service today to focus on protecting clean water, diverse wildlife habitat, old-growth forests and remote, wild areas, as well as prime recreation spots, in updating the long-range management plan for the 1.1 million-acre George Washington National Forest in western Virginia. | Read Press Release | "Forests for the Future" - a brochure highlighting the Citizens Vision for the GWNF.

More Details: GWNF Plan Revision section


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Special Donor Gift Offers
Virginia Forest Watch is very pleased to be able to offer several fine Donor Gifts, which have been generously donated to us by the authors.
Limited amount available! More Details.




Thunder Ridge from north.

A Birds Eye View
of Virginia

Virginia Forest Watch was fortunate to be able to fly with the aviation conservation organization called SouthWings on July 7, 2006. We have posted a few photos showing the incredible beauty of Virginia's public and private lands - and some of the threats to them. We have provided two versions of the slide show: Larger photos for high speed internet | Reduced size photos for slow speed internet


 VCN Action Alerts:

The Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is devoted to advancing a common, environmentally sound vision for Virginia. VCN is made up of 100 member organizations, including Virginia Forest Watch, committed to protecting Virginia's natural resources. View VCN Action Alerts.


 Upcoming:

Currently, no upcoming events are posted. Please check back. (10/15/07)

Archived Events may be found in our Events Section


 Find out what is happening on a National  Forest Ranger District near you:

Please check out our National Forest Monitoring section to see what's happening in each Ranger District of the GW&JNF. Updated regularly with pictures, project descriptions, and opportunites for you to comment.


 Private Forests:

Neighborhood Forest Watch: Please Let Us Know About Logging Jobs!

Logger Notification List - This is a list provided to us by the Virginia Department of Forestry of the loggers that notify them via their "logger notification hot line" with information on jobs that they are about to begin or have just begun.

We also post the Virginia Department of Forestry spreadsheets indicating violations of Virginia's Water Quality Laws. These spreadsheets are divided into regions.

FREE from Appalachian Voices. The second edition of “Managing Your Woodlands: A Guide for Southern Appalachian Landowners” with companion DVD “Landowner’s Guide to Sustainable Forestry: Maximizing Profits While Protecting Water Quality”. More Details


 Reports & Resources:

Download the Recycled Fiber Fact Sheet created by the Environmental Paper Network.


America's Endangered National Forests Report
National Forests: Lumber, Landfill or Living Legacy?


This report delivers an on-the-ground look at some of the country's most endangered national forests, including Virginia's George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.

Read the report

Take Action:
Support the Virginia Ridge & Valley Act of 2007


July 25, 2005: "And Still They Fall" - A Report on Old Growth Logging in the George Washington National Forest released by Virginia Forest Watch, WildLaw, Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project, Wild Virginia and the Sierra Club. The report addresses the failure of the Forest Service to conserve and restore old growth forest communities in the Southeast, highlighting the Hoover Creek Timber Sale as a case study.

June 16, 2005: Sierra Club and Virginia Forest Watch Press Release: NEW REPORT REVEALS THAT OLD GROWTH FORESTS WERE CUT AT HOOVER CREEK - Sierra Club and Virginia Forest Watch to Lead "Tour de Cut" on Saturday June 18 Highlighting Threats to Old Growth & Roadless Areas in Virginia National Forests