Big Woods State Forest
| Big Woods State Forest | |
|---|---|
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources) | |
 Prescribed burn taking place within Big Woods State Forest's longleaf pine restoration area, February 2017. (Mature trees are loblolly pine serving as windbreak.) | |
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| Location | Sussex County, Virginia |
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| Area | 2,403 acres (9.72 km2) |
| Established | 2010 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Forestry |
Big Woods State Forest is a 2,403-acre (9.72 km2) state forest in Sussex County, Virginia. It was the first state forest property to be established in southeast Virginia.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]The property, previously used for timber production by International Paper, was acquired by the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) in 2010. It was part of a $6.4 million purchase of 4,400 acres (18 km2) undertaken by VDOF and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF); the remainder of the purchased property was used to create Big Woods Wildlife Management Area, located immediately adjacent Big Woods State Forest and managed by VDGIF.[2][3]
Description
[edit | edit source]Big Woods State Forest covers a landscape typified by pine savanna; it contains primarily loblolly pine from its days as a timber plantation, and newer plantings of longleaf pine.[2] Wildlife on the property include deer, wild turkey, bobcat, fox, coyote, and rabbit.[3]
The state forest borders both the Big Woods Wildlife Management Area and The Nature Conservancy's Piney Grove Preserve, a 3,200-acre (13 km2) property dedicated to restoring longleaf pine forest for the benefit of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.[4][5] Management of both the state forest and wildlife management area aims to promote the survival of the red-cockaded woodpecker through the planting of longleaf pine and the installation of nest boxes.[3]
Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking is permitted within Big Woods State Forest; all activities except hiking require visitors to possess a valid State Forest Use Permit.[1]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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