SITE DESCRIPTION:
On the dry to mesic sand ridges of the Blackwater Ecological Preserve are two of Virginia's rarest plant communities - longleaf pine-turkey oak flatwoods and longleaf pine savannas. These and other communities at the preserve were once more common in southeastern Virginia, but are now limited to a few precious stands. This preserve supports the northernmost natural occurrence of longleaf pine and more than a dozen rare or noteworthy elements of Virginia's natural heritage.
On the dry to mesic sand ridges of the Blackwater Ecological Preserve are two of Virginia's rarest plant communities - longleaf pine-turkey oak flatwoods and longleaf pine savannas. These and other communities at the preserve were once more common in southeastern Virginia, but are now limited to a few precious stands. This preserve supports the northernmost natural occurrence of longleaf pine and more than a dozen rare or noteworthy elements of Virginia's natural heritage.
VISITATION:
This preserve is owned by Old Dominion University (ODU). Please contact the ODU Department of Biology for information on
visitation at (757) 683-3595. Or visit their website for more information www.odu.edu/~lmusselm/blackwater/
Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or prescribed burning activities. Please call before visiting.
Locality
Isle of Wight
Owner
Old Dominion University (ODU)
Preserve Size
318 acres
Access
By Arrangement with ODU
CONTACT INFO
For additional information or to arrange a visit,
contact:
Darren Loomis, SE Regional Steward
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
Suffolk, VA
(757) 925-2318.