TOURS & WORKSHOPS

Wednesday, May 4

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Tour of Lane Stadium and Stadium Woods

The rare old-growth urban forest near Lane Stadium on the campus of Virginia Tech covers approximately 11.5 acres. It contains over 250 large trees, including dozens of white oak trees that have been estimated by scientists to be over 300 years old. The woods are unofficially referred to as Stadium Woods.

Registration is free for Full Registration and Wednesday Only Registration.

Wednesday, May 4

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

George Washington - Jefferson National Forest Tour

Blacksburg is home to the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the National Forest. We have partnered with USDA Forest Service silviculturist, Mark Miller, and his staff to provide a tour through the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest, just outside Blacksburg. Those attending will see examples of irregular shelterwoods, crop tree release, group selections, and thinnings. This tour will showcase the tremendous work the Forest Service does stewarding the forest resource. Tour location is approximately 50 minutes from the hotel. Transportation will be provided. 

Registration is free for Full Registration and Wednesday Only Registration. 

Wednesday, May 4

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Tour of the Brooks Forest Products Center

The Thomas M. Brooks Forest Products Center houses faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The center also contains a variety of research laboratories and equipment, including labs for wood-based composites manufacture and testing, a high-bay wood engineering lab with full-scale timber testing equipment, the Center for Packaging and Unit Load and Design, and the Wood Enterprise Institute. After touring the Center, we will travel to Radford to see and learn about the first hardwood CLT structure in the United States.

Registration is free for Full Registration and Wednesday Only Registration. 

VFLEP Landowner Extravaganza

Thursday, May 5

12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch provided by the Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation

Welcome Presentation - Paul Winistorfer, CNRE Dean, Jay Sullivan, FREC Department Head, Corey Connors, Virginia Forestry Association 

1:30 - 5:30 pm 
Depart from the Alumni Center for Tours. Choose one tour from the list below. 

• ​Tree Identification and Forest Ecology* - Join John Peterson and John Seiler for a walking tour of Pandapas Pond.  Peterson will teach you how to identify common tree species found around the pond. Seiler will share the history of the pond, discuss changes occurring in the Table Mountain pine communities, and explain ecological process driving ecosystem changes including succession, the effects of aspect, and more. Participants will receive a free copy of the book Common Native Trees of Virginia.
   

• Preparing for Generation NEXT Legacy Planning Workshop - Join members of the Generation NEXT Team to learn about what steps you can take to help ensure your treasured woodlands remain intact, in forest, and in family for the long-term. 
   

• A Tour of Virginia Tech’s Urban Forest - Join Jamie King, Virginia Tech’s first ever University Arborist, for a walking tour of the Virginia Tech campus. Jamie will discuss various aspects of managing an urban forest and talk about which tree species are best suited for urban versus rural environments.
   

• Agroforestry at the Catawba Sustainability Center* - Join John Fike, from the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, for a walking tour of the beautiful Catawba Sustainability Center property. John will discuss the varied options for implementing agroforestry practices on your land.
   

• On-going Research and Innovation in Forest Products* - Join Extension Specialist Brian Bond for a tour of the Brooks Forest Products Lab to learn about the latest research on cross-laminated timber, pallets, and more!

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Special door prizes will be awarded including a one-year membership to the Virginia Forestry Association and oak seedling from Virginia Tech’s Stadium Woods.   
 

* Transportation provided 
 

REGISTRATION FOR THE TOURS IS HANDLED THROUGH THE VFLEP WEBSITE.
(Use buttons below to access the VFLEP website.) 

Project Learning Tree Workshop