SPRING 2023 11 Three concurrent sessions started the third day of the Forestry Summit. A panel discussion helped landowners find ways to adapt to changes in expectations, management objectives, and business practices that impact their decision-making. Other sessions provided information on the benefits and incentive programs related to establishing riparian buffers, and a look at the Virginia Dept. of Forestry’s Hardwood Habitat Initiative with an overview of a timber harvest operation done on Sandy Point State Forest. Dr. Bob Holsworth remarked on “Virginia’s Political Outlook” to close the 2023 Forestry Summit. Always engaging and insightful, Holsworth crafted a view of the political landscape that encompassed local, state and national elections. He shared views and impacts from Virginia’s recent redistricting that are already influencing incumbent decisions for election bids or retirement, inevitably bringing many new legislators to both the House and Senate after November elections. Emerging candidates for next year’s presidential election will also be closely watched, he said, discussing the prospects of a Youngkin run for a Republican nomination, and noting, “It’s going to be an interesting time in Virginia and across the country. In any case it will be a great year, and it’ll keep pundits like me working.” behalf of VFA during the luncheon General Session. They reviewed successful efforts related to the Forest Sustainability Fund, tax credit and harvesting exemptions to benefit forest landowners, solar regulation, and biomass legislation. Notably, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation restoring biomass in the Commonwealth’s renewable energy portfolio into law in May. This top legislative priority for Virginia’s forestry community from the 2023 session of the General Assembly, HB2026 (O’Quinn) and SB1231 (Lewis), will become effective on July 1, 2023. Work on the issue will continue with a VDOF-led Wood Biomass Advisory Council in the coming months. Finally, key changes in both the House and Senate due to redistricting and retirements will become an important focus for advocacy efforts by the Advantus team after November 2023 elections. Thursday afternoon was filled with a selection of tours (see page 22) and the day concluded with a reception and banquet that recognized numerous award winners for service, volunteerism, and dedicated support of the forestry community. Read more about all our award winners beginning on page 14. Dr. Bob Holsworth Ken Morgan, Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation (VFEF) President, expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the mission of VFEF during the past year. Through funding youth educational programs and scholarships, VFEF helps to ensure that children, teens and college students learn about the environmental, social and economic benefits of forests and the forest industry. Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell briefed the audience on the impacts surrounding the reclassification of the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The bat faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent. In January 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extended the effective date for the final rule to March 31, 2023 to include some interim guidance for stakeholders; however, the full implications for forestry practices remain uncertain.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTY1NDIzOQ==