How important are private landowners to the conservation of water?

Roughly half of Virginia is covered by forest on private land. Rain is the ultimate source of water, so it’s vital that the journey from sky to stream maintains clean water.

A healthy forest acts as natural infrastructure. Tree canopies intercept rainfall, roots increase infiltration, and forest soils store water like a sponge. Through transpiration, trees help regulate local water cycles, while root systems anchor soil and reduce erosion during heavy rain.

The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program teaches landowners how to keep forests intact, manage them responsibly, and protect nearby waterways, especially during timber harvests, when soil disturbance can increase the risk of sediment entering streams.

“Forestry is the best land use cover we have for protecting water quality,” said Jen Gagnon, the program’s director and a member of the faculty at the College of Natural Resources and Environment. “Forests keep the soils in place, filter the water, and maintain moisture. The best way to protect forests and the soils in them during active management practices, like harvesting, is to follow Virginia’s Best Management Practices.”

These voluntary practices are widely used and have repeatedly proved successful. Core practices include:

  • Maintaining Streamside Management Zones with trees and vegetation along waterways
  • Seeding and stabilizing skid trails after harvests
  • Designing stream crossings to limit sediment entry
  • Directing runoff away from streams and stabilizing exposed soil

These measures reduce erosion, prevent sedimentation, and help maintain cool, shaded waters that support aquatic life. Streamside management zones and riparian buffers are repeatedly emphasized because of their outsized impact on water quality.

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