Forest landowners in northeastern North Carolina have the opportunity in late October to learn strategies to increase family wealth and conserve forestland and wildlife habitat. The North Carolina and Virginia Forest Landowner Conference will be held on Oct. 27 and 28.

The conference will be held as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is free to the public. It is being organized by the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project, which is supported in part by Roanoke Electric Cooperative (REC), and by the Durham-based Black Family Land Trust. REC President and Chief Executive Officer Curtis Wynn is the conference’s keynote speaker

The conference will feature three 90-minute sessions as follows:

• Financial Assistance. 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27
  Landowners will receive information on state and federal services and programs available to forestland owners and farmers in the form of cost-share programs and technical assistance.
• Taxation. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28
  Landowners will receive information about Present Use Valuation and other programs with tax implications, as well as the role that Forest Management Plans play with regard to eligibility for these programs.
• Economic Opportunities. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28
  Landowners will receive information about solar energy programs, recreational leasing and other ways to derive income from their property.

This conference is sponsored through a grant from the N.C. Forest Service Stewardship Program.

Register at: https://ncsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ezZqcIB5SvS7Jfp1n5obwA.

Forest landowners do not have to live in the region to participate. Phone charges and/or data rates may apply if participating via phone or over a mobile network.