2017VASWCD FORESTRY COMMITTEEREPORT

Meeting Plan & Schedule:

Currently holds quarterly conference call meetings as necessary to further dialogue and emails relevant information.

Statement of Work:

The Forestry Committee works to increase and facilitate, within the Commonwealth of Virginia's conservation district community, knowledge, management and information sharing of sustainable forestry. The committee focuses on the conservation issues associated with Virginia's public and private woodlands. The Forestry Committee works to increase and facilitate, within the Commonwealth of Virginia’s conservation district community, knowledge, management, and information sharing of sustainable forestry while building, strengthening and expanding partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

Committee Goals Identified:

  • Determine training needs that may be needed at a local/area level
  • Develop a Forestry Committee Fact Sheet for quick reference to show the different benefits of the SL-6 program and forested buffer
  • Develop a PowerPoint to train field staff on how to identify potential forestry opportunities while on site visits and identify the agency/organization to refer to.
  • Improve and enhance relationship among DOF and SWCDs
  • Encourage SWCD staff to engage with local DOF resources and make technical site visits
  • Encouraging and fostering the opportunity for forestry committee personnel to attend soil and water trainings and for district personnel to attend and speak at DOF regional meetings.
  • Present a quarterly ‘Success Story’ to be sent via email to districts that showcases the joint efforts between DOF and Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

Other Items of Importance to the Committee for Continued Discussion/Implementation in 2017:

  • Continue conversation on the challenges of the Ag BMP program as it pertains to tree planting.
  • Continue conversation on how to best address invasive species control within buffers
  • Provide guidance to VASWCD legislative committee on desire for a portion of BMP funding to be prioritized for forestry practices or to provide additional dollars for this use. Reach out to legislative committee to discuss making changes at the state level to require forested buffers within certain programs.
  • Increase committee membership by recruiting additional Soil & Water Conservation District Field Staff and Directors to participate
  • An annual face-to-face meeting will be held and moved to different areas of the state and the committee will invite local SWCD staff to attend when in their Area.

Awards:

The Forestry committee is responsible for assisting with solicitation of the VASWCD Forestry BMP and Urban Forestry Award as well as reviewing all eligible applications and determining the individuals to be recognized at the state level for their outstanding contributions.

Forestry BMP Award-Due Sept. Annually

The Forestry BMP Award identifies a cooperator who deserves recognition for outstanding best management practices accomplished during the past ten years.It is suggested that your local Virginia Department of Forestry be involved in the selection process. The data sheet for your district winner will be forwarded to the VASWCD Forestry Committee for evaluation. The winner will be recognized at the Association’s Annual Meeting in December.

Urban Forestry Award-Due Sept. Annually

The VASWCD Forestry Committee in 1994 developed guidelines for an Urban Forestry Award. The purpose of this award is to give recognition to those groups who are leaders in their area in tree planting, protection, education, etc. The data sheet for your district winner will be forwarded to the VASWCD Forestry Committee for evaluation. The winner will be recognized at the Association’s Annual Meeting in December.

2017Forestry Committee Membership List: Currently Recruiting All Interested

  • Todd Kready – Director, Peaks of Otter SWCD – Committee Co-Chair
  • Bill Worrell – Associate Director, Clinch Valley SWCD – Committee Co-Chair
  • Matt Poirot – Department of Forestry
  • Todd Grogh – Department of Forestry
  • Greg Evans – Department of Forestry
  • Laura Grape – Norhthern VA SWCD
  • Vickie Greene – VA Dare SWCD
  • Andrew Gilmer – Clinch Valley SWCD
  • Gary Boring – New River SWCD
  • Scott Cameron – Northern VA SWCDLeft the SWCD in 2017
  • E.B. Watson – Peaks of Otter SWCD Left the SWCD in 2017
  • Ward Robens – Natural Bridge SWCD Left the SWCD in 2017

Additional Information - General forestry program subject matters of the committee may include but are not limited to:

Practices

  • Timber Harvesting
  • Multiple-use Management
  • Soil/woodland Correlation
  • Timeberland Improvement and Management
  • Tree Planting Programs
  • Agroforestry
  • Riparian Forest Buffer
  • Invasive Species Control

Programs

  • USDA Forest Service
  • State and Private Forestry
  • Cooperative Forestry
  • Forestry Pest Management
  • National Forest Management
  • State Forestry Programs
  • Forestry Incentive Programs
  • Tree Planting – Rural & Urban
  • Stewardship Incentive Program
  • Forest Health

Water Resources

  • State Water Quality Programs
  • Chesapeake Bay WIP and Milestones
  • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL)
  • Tributary Strategies
  • Water Quality/Quantity Issues
  • Program Funding
  • Farmland Protection Strategies
  • Riparian Buffers
  • Open Space
  • Needs & Policy Development