Determining where leaves can be left alone and where cleanup is necessary can help you strike a reasonable compromise between yard maintenance and land stewardship. Although the advice comes from a Stafford County news release, it is applicable here too,

Next spring, DOF will expand participation to 15 retail nurseries. In 2023, Throwing Shade VA was available at 10 locations and resulted in the sale of 5,500 native shrubs and trees being purchased (all at a discount, of course) and planted across Virginia.

It’s very difficult to determine if wood is infested, and it can be infested with a variety of invasive pests,” said Bill Osl, a Cumberland County forestland owner who chairs Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Forestry Advisory Committee and the Virginia Board of Forestry. “By buying firewood locally, you’re not just limiting the spread of these destructive and non-native organisms, you’re also helping someone in the community and supporting the local economy..”

"Sustainable forestry provides so many benefits…clean air and water, economic development, wildlife habitat, timber, and recreation,” said Rob Farrell, State Forester of Va. Dept. of Forestry (DOF). “Forest Products Week celebrates Virginia’s working forests, thousands of professionals and partners who work in them, and the environmental benefits and sustainable products they provide for all of us."

Join KPWB, the Arbor Day Foundation, and AWS InCommunities for a tree planting and tree giveaway 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Volunteers will be planting trees throughout the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, while 50 trees will be given to community members on a first come, first serve basis.

Andrea Bailey spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the effort’s completion and said beautification helps make people feel good about their community.

If you are interested in having your property certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary....join the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (formerly Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) on Saturday, Oct. 5,

Prince William County’s Swift Water Rescue Team has been activated by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for deployment as a VDEM resource to Norton, VA ahead of Hurricane Helene,