Big Woods State Forest

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]

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.)
Map showing the location of Big Woods State Forest
Map showing the location of Big Woods State Forest
Location within Virginia
LocationSussex County, Virginia
Coordinates36°56′17.0″N 77°04′52.4″W / 36.938056°N 77.081222°W / 36.938056; -77.081222
Area2,403 acres (9.72 km2)
Established2010 (2010)
Governing bodyVirginia Department of Forestry

History

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Big Woods State Forest". Virginia Department of Forestry. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Passut, Charlie (July 23, 2010). "Big Woods now a state forest, wildlife area". The Tidewater News. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Scott (September 27, 2011). "Big Woods State Forest gets boost from Va". The Virginian–Pilot. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Piney Grove Preserve". Nature.org. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  5. ^ Thomas, James Jr. (January 11, 2015). "Beyond Suffolk to the Big Woods". The Virginian–Pilot. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
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