Virginia's SHARP Logger Program

Keep up with the Training Schedule on the Training page

Keep up with news from the SHARP Logger Program and our partners on the News and Upcoming page.

The goal of the forest products industry in Virginia is to train every logger and forester in the Commonwealth in the principles of sustainable forestry, environmental protection and workplace safety.

Since 1996, more than 3,700 loggers, foresters and others have received this training through the SHARP Logger program. This represents the vast majority of the logging firms that operate in Virginia. Virginia Tech Forestry Extension maintains a complete database of all loggers, foresters and others who have completed this training.

Companies that participate in the SFI® Program are committed to support the SHARP Logger Program, to ensure that SFI Standards are applied on their own lands, and to promote sustainable forestry throughout the Commonwealth. This ensures that sustainable forestry principles are followed on the vast majority of timber harvest sites in Virginia.

This training is provided at no cost to the SHARP Logger participants. It is funded by a voluntary assessment on each ton of logs and wood fiber produced annually by the companies that participate in the SFI Program in Virginia, plus an assessment on each acre of Virginia forestland managed by landowners who participate in the SFI Program.

Instruction is provided by Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, forest products industry professionals, and others. The SHARP Logger Program is coordinated by Dr. Scott M. Barrett and Ms. Karen Snape at the Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The program was developed and is directed by the Virginia SFI Implementation Committee, which includes representatives from the following organizations:

SHARP Logger Training Requirements

To achieve SHARP Logger standing, participants must complete a core program of 12 hours of classroom and field training. The core program covers the following topics:

Core 1 (6 Hours)
This classroom session covers the topics of sustainable forestry and logging safety. Sustainable forestry presentations include the development and implementation of the SFI Program, the key components for achieving sustainable forestry, threatened and endangered species, invasive species, special sites, biodiversity, and forest management. Safety presentations include OSHA and labor law regulations, transportation safety and federal motor carrier requirements, and logging equipment and in-woods safety.
Core 2 (6 Hours)
This session includes an outdoor portion, as conditions allow, and covers the topics of BMPs, preharvest planning, and additional sustainable forestry material. BMP presentations include state and federal water quality regulations, the Virginia Forestry BMP Manual, and water quality monitoring results. Preharvest planning presentations include an overview of harvest planning. Field exercises include one or more of the following: working in teams to develop a preharvest plan, evaluating BMP installation on a recent harvest, and/or a tour of silviculture and forest ecology sites.

To maintain their standing, SHARP Loggers must accumulate 8 credit hours of continuing education (CE) during each two year period following the completion of the core program, including a REQUIRED 2 credit hour SHARP Logger Update Class. Virginia Tech Forestry Extension makes these classes available. See the currently available scheduled classes and SHARP Program Logger Requirements.

Additional Information

SHARP Logger Program Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)