Jefferson, also known as Jefferson Landing, has ceased to exist. But that doesn't mean it has been abandoned. Two years ago, the property was accepted into the Virginia Forest Stewardship Program. Administered by the state Department of Forestry, the program is based on the idea that the 11 million acres of private woodlands in Virginia can be managed and protected with the total forest environment in mind. Forestland is disappearing at an alarming rate of more than 20,000 acres per year, said David Coffman, program coordinator.
Stewardship is the future of Virginia's forests.
Paul Geyer, state forester in Powhatan, said the stewardship concept represents an important change in forestry management as it relates to the landowner. More and more people are owning forests for uses other than timber, he said. The recommendations in the plan are based on the landowner's priorities, which can include protection of wildlife, endangered species, habitat, soil and water, archaelogical sites, scenic beauty, and historical resources. In the case of Jefferson, several of these came into play. Therefore, his goals for the property include enhancement of habitat for game species and other wildlife, such as songbirds.