8 VIRGINIA FORESTS The 2023 Virginia Forestry Summit brought together more than 200 forestry professionals, landowners, and educators on April 26–28 at the Williamsburg Lodge located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. IFCO Seedlings served as the presenting sponsor for this year’s event that was coordinated by the Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters, and Virginia Division of the Society of American Foresters. MásLabor sponsored networking breaks with exhibitors held each day of the event. After a morning of leadership meetings, landowner education and professional training, participants gathered to open the Forestry Summit with an Administration Briefing from Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr. He remarked on the results of a recent impact study of forestry and agriculture, noting these industries have remained strong, regaining strength after the pandemic and achieving record exports within the past year. Dr. Derek Aday, dean of William and Mary’s School of Marine Science and director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, presented the first keynote address. In his remarks, Aday focused on the intersection of ecology and economics that is shared by both land- and marinebased industries. He noted the common work done by state agencies and supporting organizations to provide relevant, reliable information to those who make a living from the resources of land and waterways. Habitat restoration and sustainability, land use management, and public education are also common efforts and shared concerns. Direct partnership opportunities are possible between our industries, he said, as we look for better or new ways to approach these issues. Afternoon breakout sessions served to emphasize Dr. Aday’s message as attendees selected from three sessions that focused on landowner legacy planning, research on projected sea level rise for coastal Virginia, and an outlook on forest products markets. The first Intersections of Ecology and Economics By Lesha Berkel Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr. Dr. Derek Aday gave the Forestry Summit’s opening keynote address. Habitat restoration and sustainability, land use management, and public education are common efforts and shared concerns among organizations that work to sustain the ecological benefits of our natural resources while also helping to improve and support the economic strength of our land- and marine-based industries.
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