Lisa Deaton, Area Forester with the Gloucester office of the Virginia Department of Forestry, will discuss the important role that forests played as a resource for both native and colonist populations in colonial Virginia during Sunday’s meeting of the Gloucester Historical Society.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin at 2 p.m. at Abingdon Episcopal Church, White Marsh. Refreshments will be served following the guest speaker’s presentation.

“Both native Indians and colonists depended upon the forests for sustenance,” a press release stated. “Virginia was then covered with vast forests which provided food, clothing and building materials.” Also, Deaton will share stories of the early days of the state forestry department in Gloucester and the history of “protecting this very important resource.” ...