VDOF building named in honor of James Garner (’54)
February 15, 2019
Jim Garner (left) with former Gov. Gerald Baliles at the building dedication ceremony. Photo by Virginia Department of Forestry©
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) recognized alumnus and retired state forester James W. “Jim” Garner (’54 B.S.) by naming its headquarters office building in Charlottesville in his honor. Garner served the department for more than four decades, including 21 years as state forester, until his retirement in 2004.
“Jim’s vision, wisdom, and guidance directly influenced VDOF’s current position as a leader within the forestry sector and a vital partner among other natural resource agencies and organizations,” said current State Forester Rob Farrell, a fellow alum.
Professor Emeritus David Smith, who met Garner in 1973, said, “Jim Garner’s professional forestry education and training instilled in him the decades-long nature of forest resource management decisions. I always found him to be fully engaged, always prepared, a good listener, not afraid to offer his thoughts, and always focused on getting things accomplished and solving the problems at hand.”
In addition to the Department of Forestry, the building houses several other state agencies and organizations. The 32-acre campus includes an educational nature trail and borders a section of the Rivanna Trail.