March 27, 2009: Virginia Ridge and Valley Act Passes Both Houses of Congress - Bill Protecting 53,000 of the Jefferson National Forest goes to President for Signature - The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act, a wilderness and national scenic area bill that protects 53,000 acres of southwestern Virginia’s most unique wild places, passed the US House of Representatives on Wednesday. Read VAFW Press Release (includes photos)

Dec. 18, 2008: Wood Turtle Makes Top 10 List of Species in Need of Protection - New report highlights nation’s species in danger of extinction - Charlottesville, VA – The wood turtle is one of the most in-need species for protection under the Endangered Species Act, according to a report released today by the Endangered Species Coalition. The report, “Without a Net: Top Ten Wildlife, Fish and Plants in Need of Endangered Species Act Protection,” demonstrates the critical need to reinvigorate the process under the Endangered Species Act used to protect our nation’s species on the brink of extinction. Read VAFW Press Release

Dec. 17, 2008: Conservation Groups Call on the Agriculture Sec. Nominee to Set New Direction for Forest Service; Reverse Bush’s Damaging Legacy in the First 100 Days - President-elect Obama announced today the nomination of former Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack as the new Secretary of Agriculture. Nearly 100 conservation organizations representing over 1.5 million members and citizens from around the country call on Vilsack to reverse damaging policies promulgated by the Bush administration and set a new course for the U.S. Forest Service. Read VAFW Press Release

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. “

Jason Woodfin

Though we have worked with many good foresters in both Virginia and surrounding states over the years we have not been able to 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

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

Sept. 14, 2007: Forest Service Pulls Timber Sale , Public Calls for Greater Protection of Scott County's Dry Creek Watershed in Next Decision - District Ranger Ron Bush of the Clinch Ranger District has decided to temporarily withdraw the controversial Back Valley Timber Sale while he revises the environmental assessment to address some discrepancies and other areas of concern. | Read Press Release and View Photos

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

Oct. 07, 2005: Forest Service Drops Plan for ATV Trails - New trail system would have unacceptably harmed water resources in the Clinch River watershed. | Read VAFW Press Release

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

May 11, 2005: Heartwood, Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project, National Forest Protection Alliance, Indiana Forest Alliance, Buckeye Forest Council, Kentucky Heartwood, Wild Virginia, Virginia Forest Watch Press Release: Citizen Groups File Suit To Enforce Endangered Species Act Against Two Federal Agencies | Complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Western Division

April 14, 2005: VAFW Press Release: Bad Logging Practices Continue! “Worst Job Ever” Found in Buchanan County (includes photos)

Jan. 30, 2009: Gone With The Windmills? - Open letter to President Obama about wind turbines and forests from nature writer and VAFW board member Chris Bolgiano.