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West Virginia's first Forest Legacy property purchased
764-acre tract in Hampshire County will remain a working forest
Gov. Joe Manchin and State Forester Randy Dye signed a contract on Jan. 12, officially purchasing development rights for the state's first Forest Legacy property.
"This first transaction is important to the future of West Virginia?s scenic and productive forestland and I thank everyone for working together to make it possible," Gov. Manchin said. "This is a significant step toward ensuring the sustainability of our state's forests."
The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between West Virginia and the USDA Forest Service that identifies and helps conserve important forestlands from conversion to nonforest uses. The program purchases conservation easements, or development rights, on properties, still allowing the landowners to continue owning and managing the land as working forests. These easements ensure that the land will not be developed, but remain forested forever.
State Forester Dye said that these easements are permanent. "Once in place, the contract cannot be changed or terminated. The easement remains with the property, even if the land is purchased by a new owner," he said. "These working forests continue to be managed and provide forest products, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, scenic beauty and clean water."
Click here for more information about the Forest Legacy Program
Clements Nursery accepting seedling orders
Nursery officials are accepting orders for tree seedlings. To help make your buying experience easier, download our new seedling catalog with descriptions and characteristics for each of the seedlings the nursery sells.
Seedling Catalog
Tree Order Form
Arbor Day Poster Contest Underway
Fifth-graders can submit artwork until March 2
The Division of Forestry is now accepting submissions for the 2009 West Virginia Arbor Day Poster Contest. This year's theme is "Trees are Terrific . . . in Cities and Towns!" The contest is open to all public, private and home schooled fifth-grade students in West Virginia.
Click here for more information about the Arbor Day Poster Contest
Choosing and Planting Trees for Cities and Communities
Need help picking the right trees for your city or town? Download this booklet to find out which species will perform well in West Virginia and will be "the right tree in the right place."
Community Tree Brochure
Program helps communities plant the "right tree in the right place"
Large trees and utility lines don't mix. The Municipal Tree Restoration Program (MTRP) works with communities across the state to address issues between trees and utility lines. To find out more, download the MTRP brochure.
MTRP brochure
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