Department of Conservation and Recreation

© DCR-DNH, Irvine Wilson

The Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve, owned by Bob and Darlinda Gilvary of Bluefield, West Virginia, is a 233-acre old-growth forest located on Chestnut Ridge in Giles County, Virginia. This old-growth tract is part of a larger 2250-acre forested tract owned by the Gilvarys. The preserve was protected by a natural area preserve dedication easement which was paid for in part with a grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and partial gift from the Gilvarys.

Vegetation ecologists with the Natural Heritage Program discovered the presence of two significant forest communities noteworthy for their old-growth characteristics. The old-growth forest communities here are dominated by northern red oak and chestnut oak. In addition these communities occur in a large matrix of nearly unbroken forest, the extent of which is unusual in western Virginia. Natural Heritage ecologists confirmed the existence of individual trees that were from 300 to 400 years old. Other canopy species in the forest with old-age individuals include cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and American basswood (Tilia americana var. americana).

VISITATION:
This preserve is not open for public visitation. Access to the site may be arranged by CONTACT:ing:
The 500-Year Forest Foundation
P.O. Box 1272
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 953-3325
500yearforests@gmail.com
www.500yearforestfdn.org