| Big Woods State Forest | |
| Iucn Category: | vi |
| Map: | Virginia |
| Location: | Sussex County, Virginia |
| Coordinates: | 36.9381°N -77.0812°W |
| Area Acre: | 2403 |
| Governing Body: | Virginia Department of Forestry |
Big Woods State Forest is a 2403acres state forest in Sussex County, Virginia. It was the first state forest property to be established in southeast Virginia.[1]
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 4400acres 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]
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 3200acres 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]