Need more buffers in your life?

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) announced it successfully planted 170 acres of riparian forest buffers during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 seasons through its new Riparian Forests for Landowners (RFFL) program.

The program awarded $650,800 to 85 private landowners for projects that protect water quality across the state.

While it fell slightly short of its 200-acre goal, RFFL helped DOF reach a total of 856 acres of buffer planting in 2024.

Funded by the Virginia State Water Quality Improvement Act, RFFL supports a wide range of landowners, not just farmers, and covers both planting and one year of maintenance.

New Funding Now Available for the DOF is accepting proposals for the 2025–2027 RFFL cycle.

Deadline: July 29, 2025, at 2 p.m.

Apply via eVA.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Forest Restoration Program

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Virginia’s forests have suffered extensive
damage.

The Virginia Department of Forestry has partnered with state and federal
agencies to provide support to affected landowners.

One of the key resources available is the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, which offers cost-sharing for forest restoration efforts.

If your forestland was impacted by the storm, reach out to your local forester for more information on the resources available to help you recover.

For further details, visit this link.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here

Emerald ash borer cash-share program

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

Boosting the odds of safeguarding the genetic diversity of ash trees statewide, the initiative to treat these trees against the invasive Emerald Ash Borer is gaining momentum.

Through the Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Cost-Share Program, landowners and organizations can receive support covering up to half of the expenses for treating ash trees via stem injections with
insecticide.

This assistance caps at $7.50 per inch diameter at breast height for individual landowners, with a maximum cost-share payment of $1,250, while organizations can receive up to $5,000 in cost-share payments.

Virginia landowners and various entities such as municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and homeowner associations qualify as eligible applicants for the program.

To be considered eligible, the trees must belong to the species of green, white, black, blue, pumpkin, or Carolina ash, with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of at least 12 inches.

Additionally, eligible trees must not exhibit more than a 30% crown loss, ensuring a minimum of 70% live crown. Before enrollment, all trees must undergo assessment by a forester from the Department of Forestry (DOF).
To apply,  please contact:
Connor D. Goolsby
Primary contact for: Clarke, Frederick, Warren, Winchester City
Title: Natural Resource Specialist
Email: connor.goolsby@DOF.virginia.gov
Primary Phone: (434)365-8225
Office Location: Woodstock Office

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Riparian forest funding

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry is now accepting applications for Riparian Forests for Landowners Program project funding.

This is a new statewide landowner assistance program that helps landowners create riparian forest buffer.

Selected service providers will facilitate the installation of, and one year of maintenance on, riparian forest buffers at no cost to the landowner.

Riparian forest buffers are areas near streams, lakes, or wetlands that contain a combination of trees, shrubs, and other perennial plants, primarily to provide conservation benefits.

Riparian forest buffers filter nutrients, pesticides and animal waste from agricultural land runoff, filtering sediment from runoff, stabilizing eroding banks, providing shade, shelter and food for fish and provide wildlife.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.