Forests – Virginia Master Naturalists

This page contains numerous curriculum resources that may be used flexibly by Virginia Master Naturalist chapters and trainees to meet their learning needs.  These resources also are available to other volunteer programs and the public for their use, but please note that watching or reading these materials cannot substitute for enrolling in and completing a basic training course with a VMN chapter in order to become a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.

Thank you to the numerous people who contributed to the creation of these materials, including Matt Brinckman (The American Chestnut Foundation), Alycia Crall (Virginia Master Naturalist program coordinator, 2013-2015), Adam Downing (Virginia Cooperative Extension), Jennifer Gagnon (Virginia Cooperative Extension), Ellen Powell (Virginia Department of Forestry), and Karen Snape (Virginia Department of Forestry).  Thank you also to the many volunteers and online sources who provided images, including Bugwood.org, Kim Biasiolli and Lori Chamberlin (Virginia Department of Forestry), Eric Filep (Filep Foresty Management), Christine Small (Redford University), Pat Temples (VMN volunteer), and Flickr Creative Commons users.  Michelle Prysby, VMN Special Projects Coordinator, served as the lead author and project coordinator.  Funding for the development of the Forest Ecology and Management curriculum was provided by a grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment.

• Diversity, distribution, and characteristics of the major forest types in Virginia, including Upland mixed hardwoods, Bottomland mixed hardwoods, Southern pine, White pine, Hardwood-pine mix.
• The effects of light, soils, disturbance type, land use history, and climate on forest growth and development
• Forest structure
• Example tree species that would be found under different ecological conditions (e.g., shade tolerant and intolerant species)
• Forest products and ecosystem services (e.g., habitat, water quality, wood products, recreation, carbon storage, air quality)
• Environmental, economic, and sociocultural importance of forests
• Threats and issues affecting forests in VA, including land conversion; fragmentation and parcelization; forest health issues such as invasive species, insects, and disease; climate change; changing fire regimes; and historical management practices.
• Definition and need for forest management (silviculture)
• Forests as a renewable resource
• Importance of forest management goals
• Basic tools available for managing forests (e.g., invasive control, timber harvesting, regeneration, recreation, etc.)
• Basic silvicultural systems and how they are used
• The role of Virginia’s state agencies in managing public and private forests
• The role of citizens in the stewardship of Virginia’s forests

• Identify forest types based on location, geography, and dominant species
• Recognize difference between high-grade harvesting and silvicultural harvesting
• Articulate to others the importance of forests to society
• Articulate to others the basic principles of forest management
• Articulate to others the two major categories of forest health threats (abiotic and biotic) and share examples of both.

What: Short videos to introduce volunteers to the topic of Forest Ecology and Management.  Note that we have selected just two “Forest Fast Break” videos that are relevant to the curriculum objectives, but you can find more “Forest Fast Break” videos online.

Possible uses:

• Have trainees watch before class as preparation
• Watch as part of class
• Have trainees watch after class as review or supplementary material
• Have existing members watch as a refresher on this topic

Most Recommended Readings

• Forests of Virginia: Importance, Composition, Ecology, Threats, and Management by Jennifer Gagnon, Virginia Tech
• Annual State of the Forest report from VDOF (2020)

Supplemental Readings

• Welcome to the Woods by Jennifer Gagnon, Virginia Tech, et al.
• Annual Forest Health Review​ by VDOF
• Overview of the Physiography and Vegetation of Virginia by VDCR, Division of Natural Heritage
• Green Side Up: A Guide for Leading and Promoting Volunteer Tree Plantings (PDF)

Above and Beyond, for those seeking more in-depth information
Note that book publisher websites are provided, but often these books are available from other sources at varying prices.

• Subscribe to Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program newsletter, http://forestupdate.frec.vt.edu
• The Woods in Your Backyard by Jonathan Kays, et al., https://extension.psu.edu/woods-in-your-backyard

• Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Forests by John Kricher, https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-peterson-field-guide-to-eastern-forests-john-kricher?variant=40075375280162
• Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America by E. Lucy Braun, http://blackburnpress.stores.yahoo.net/noname.html

• Positive Impact Forestry by Thom McEvoy, https://islandpress.org/book/positive-impact-forestry
• Legacy Planning : A Guide for Virginia Woodland Owners, https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/CNRE/CNRE-121/CNRE-121.html

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Video Resources

• Fifteen Minutes in the Forest, https://www.youtube.com/VirginiaForestLandownerEducationProgram
• Forest Fast Breaks, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS8kydnMHQ9k8teSRSMGqLYn3fOqZjV_8
• The Greatest Good (documentary by USFS), http://www.fs.fed.us/greatestgood/film/synopsis.shtml?sub2 

Infographic – Virginia Forests Matter

What: A three-part set of online videos of PowerPoint presentations with narration by Adam Downing, who is a Forestry and Natural Resources Extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension and also the chapter advisor for the Rivanna Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program.  Combined, they are approximately 34 minutes long.

Possible uses:

• Have trainees watch before class as preparation
• Watch as part of class, combined with hands-on activities
• Have trainees watch after class as review
• Share with instructor to give him/her an idea of the type of material to cover
• Have trainees watch as a make-up for a missed class on the same topic
• Have existing members watch as a refresher on this topic

User Notes: Please note that you can make the video full-screen and toggle the closed captioning on and off.  Please also note that these videos are intended to be used in conjunction with the handout provided below.  You can also watch these videos at video.vt.edu: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Note for Basic Training Chairs and Course Instructors: The script for the full Powerpoint presentation is provided below for download in MS Excel format, which makes it easy to add, delete, or re-order slides.  Basic training chairs for VMN chapters may contact the state office for access to the full Powerpoint file.  Both the Powerpoint and the script may be used and adapted for your courses.  Please pay attention to the image license restrictions listed in the notes section for each slide in the Powerpoint file.

What: A two-page handout that matches up with the presentation.  It is best printed in color, but black and white is acceptable.

Possible uses:  The handout is meant to accompany the PowerPoint presentation or the videos, so instructors using the presentation in class should distribute the handout in lieu of a handout containing all the slides.  It is not recommended that you print the slides for a handout, as they are almost entirely image-based and would not make good reference material.
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Note: We have provided the handout in both PDF and MS Word formats.  You may adapt the MS Word version to fit your chapter by, for example, adding additional, relevant volunteer projects to the list provided.

What: Lesson plans for an interactive activity on forest management objectives, called “Your Land, Your Choice”.

Possible uses: This activity can be used during class time to encourage trainees to apply the material they have learned and to break up lecture time with an interactive exercise.  The lesson plan is written so that it may be led by a non-expert, including VMN volunteers.

What: A set of possible assessment questions on this topic for VMN trainees.

Possible uses: Incorporate these questions into written or practical assessments during the course.

What: Evaluation packet consisting of a summary form to be completed by the chapter’s training chair and individual evaluation forms to be completed by chapter trainees.

Possible uses:  We would like to have you help us evaluate the effectiveness of these materials for meeting program goals.  We request that chapters using any of these materials have their trainees complete the evaluation form.  The training chair or coordinator for that class should complete the cover sheet and return the cover sheet and all individual forms to the VMN statewide program office.