Forestry, Board of
Purpose
The Board of Forestry shall be charged with matters relating to the management of forest resources in the Commonwealth.The Board shall advise the Governor and the Department on the state of forest resources within the Commonwealth and the management of forest resources. The Board shall encourage persons, agencies, organizations and industries to implement development programs for forest resource management and counsel them in such development. In addition, the Board shall recommend plans for improving the state system of forest protection, management and replacement, and shall prepare an annual report on the progress and conditions of state forest work.The Board shall formulate recommendations to the State Forester concerning regulations and other matters applicable to Article 10 (§ 10.1-1170 et seq.), including types of equipment to be purchased, rental rates for equipment, and reforestation practices.
Term
Four year terms; no more than two successive terms, except the executive officer
Composition
The Board of Forestry within the Department of Forestry, referred to in this chapter as the Board, shall be composed of 13 members appointed by the Governor. At least two members shall be representatives of the pine pulpwood industry; two members shall be representatives of the pine lumber industry; two members shall be representatives of the hardwood lumber industry; one member shall be a representative of the timber harvesting industry; and two members shall be small forest landowners. In making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall take into account the geographic diversity of board membership as it relates to Virginia's forest resources. Beginning July 1, 2012, the Governor's appointments shall be staggered as follows: four members for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years, three members for a term of three years, and three members for a term of four years. After the initial staggering of terms, appointments shall be for four-year terms. The State Forester shall serve as executive officer of the Board.
No member of the Board, except the executive officer, shall be eligible for more than two successive terms; however, persons subsequently appointed to fill vacancies may serve two additional successive terms after the terms of the vacancies they were appointed to fill have expired. All vacancies in the membership of the Board shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.
Vacant Seats
No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.
Current Board Members
Heather Richards
Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026Mr. Ervin C. Bielmyer
Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026Mr. Clark Diehl
Member of the Pine Lumber Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2026Mr William T. Godwin
Member of the Pine Lumber Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mr Andrew Brown
Member of the Pine Pulpwood Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2027Mr. Scott W. Shallenberger
Member of the Pine Pulpwood Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2027James Robert Coleman
Member of the Hardwood Lumber Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2028Mr William F Osl
Small Forest Landowner Membership expires on 6/30/2028Michael Charles Harold
Member of the Hardwood Lumber Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2028Vance Wright
Small Forest Landowner Membership expires on 6/30/2029Carolyn Mulligan
Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029Chad Shelton
Member of the Timber Harvesting Industry Membership expires on 6/30/2029