© DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming

Crawford's Knob Natural Area Preserve

The hump on the back of Humpback Mountain, Crawford's Knob Natural Area Preserve encompasses 1387 acres of mature hardwood forest overlooking the Rockfish Valley in Nelson County. Greenstone-influenced soil has led to the development of a rare wetland community known as a mountain-piedmont basic seepage swamp. Spring water seeping up through cobbles along the headwaters of Paul's Creek supports a lush flora characterized by red maple (Acer rubrum), white ash (Fraxinus americana) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) in the overstory, spicebush (Lindera benzoin var. benzoin) in the mid-story, and a herbaceous community comprised of various orchids, lilies, ferns, grasses and sedges. Upslope from the swamp is an expanse of mature hardwoods, interspersed with steep, thinly vegetated outcrops. The tract lies along a narrow section of the Blue Ridge, which is a critical bird migration corridor.

Crawford's Knob is part of the Wintergreen Resort property. In 2008, the resort owner recognized the importance of preserving this ecologically significant area and donated a conservation easement on the property to the non-profit Nature Foundation at Wintergreen. In 2009, the property received additional protection when it was dedicated into the state natural area preserve system. These actions by the landowner have expanded land conservation efforts in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway and George Washington National Forest.

VISITATION:
Crawford's Knob Natural Area Preserve is not open for public visitation. For additional information about the preserve, visit www.twnf.org or CONTACT: The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen at (434) 325-8169.