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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] HistoryThe 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] DescriptionBig 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 alsoReferences
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Big Woods State Forest.
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