West Virginia's forests are a critical component of the state's natural resources; they have shaped its history and infl uenced its culture. In the densely populated mid-Atlantic region, West Virginia stands out because of its vast mountainous forests. These highly diverse forests provide globally signifi cant biological communities, habitat for wildlife, forest products, water quality, and opportunities for recreation. Increased awareness of the many benefi ts and services provide by forests, including many forest-related jobs, has brought new attention to the condition of West Virginia's forests. And the sustainability of forestry practices has become a concern. Management professionals with the West Virginia Bureau of Commerce's Division of Forestry continue to protect this valuable natural resource and assist landowners with sound stewardship advice to ensure that the broad range of benefi ts derived from these forests will be available to future generations. Having current forest inventory information available, such as that provided by the Forest Inventory and Analysis unit (NRS-FIA) of the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station is invaluable in attaining this goal.