Manage Your Woodlands
With over 260,000 non-industrial private woodland owners in West Virginia, the Division of Forestry places importance on providing landowner assistance for management and protection of woodlands. We understand that each landowner carries differing personal goals and beliefs about how their woodland property should be managed. The WVDOF helps bring cohesive guidelines and management practices. With our assistance, you can effectively manage your land in order to support your goals as well as the future of our state’s forests.
No matter the size of your land, the following services and information are available to you as private landowners in West Virginia.
Landowner Assistance Services
Call Before You Cut
This multi-state initiative helps landowners manage their woodlands for multiple uses, including wildlife, recreation, timber, and woodland streams. The program helps landowners make responsible long-term forest management decisions so that the land may be preserved and protected for future generations. For more information, visit Call Before You Cut or call toll-free at 1-888-498-2292.
Professional Foresters
The Division of Forestry is the state’s leading agency for rendering technical forestry assistance to non-industrial private woodland owners. Landowners seeking assistance can find answers through the consultation of both the DOF Service Foresters as well as Private Consulting Foresters. Both will be able to provide on-site, personalized visits and direct landowners towards important resources.
Management Assistance
The Division of Forestry works cooperatively with landowners to promote the practice of sustainable forestry through technical and financial assistance to private landowners. Several programs are available to help achieve the broad objectives of the landowner assistance program including:
The Forest Legacy Program
The Managed Timberland Program
The West Virginia Forest Stewardship Program
Invasive Species
Species like the Spongy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer pose a serious threat to West Virginia forests. It is our responsibility to reduce the spread of these destructive species by careful shipment of wood products, extermination procedures, and silvicultural treatments. Learn more about these invasive species and how to combat them.
Women Owning Woodlands (WOW)
Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) empowers women landowners to steward their land by connecting them to information, resources, trusted professionals, and a community of women landowners. WOW connects you to training workshops around the country to enable women landowners to take action toward the future of their land.
Save the Dates – September 6 – September 8, 2024 at Watoga State Park & Calvin Price State Forest in Pocahontas County. Contact Barb or Amy at [email protected] or call WV DOF (304) 256-6775 for more information. Click the link in the flyer below to register.
