© DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming

Mark's and Jack's Islands Natural Area Preserve

Located on the Bay side of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Mark's and Jack's Islands supports Chesapeake Bay beach habitat, low marsh, high marsh and shrub and forest vegetation. The wetland communities provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. The extensive saltmarsh is by far the most notable feature within this area. A maritime shrub community supporting species such as marsh-elder (Iva frutescens) and black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina) is found on old dune ridges in the marsh. Narrow bands of forest dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina) occur along the tops of old dunes. The salt marsh provides ideal habitat for marsh nesting birds. The small sandy beaches here support the federally-listed Northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis).

VISITATION:
Mark's and Jack's Islands can only be reached by boat. Access is restricted to educational or research purposes and only by arrangement with The Nature Conservancy.

For visitation information CONTACT: the Virginia Coast Reserve office of The Nature Conservancy at (757) 442-3049.