SITE DESCRIPTION:
Folly Mills Creek Fen Natural Area Preserve is a 29-acre property containing an outstanding example of a Shenandoah Valley fen community. The preserve is located in the floodplain of Folly Mills Creek, a tributary of the Shenandoah River. A fen is a special type of wetland with surface water originating from artesian springs and groundwater seepage at the base of a hill. This particular wetland is fed by artesian springs from an aquifer in the fractured limestone bedrock of the region. Here, calcareous or circumneutral groundwater fosters the establishment of an interesting plant community with several rare and unusual plants. These types of wetlands were once more common in the Shenandoah Valley, but most of the examples have been lost through drainage and conversion to other land uses. The vegetation is dominated by sedges and other herbaceous plants, cattails, and scattered shrubs. Rare species such as bog buckbean, pussy willow, queen-of-the-prairie, shining ladies'tresses, prairie sedge and smooth loosestrife can be found here.
Folly Mills Creek Fen Natural Area Preserve is a 29-acre property containing an outstanding example of a Shenandoah Valley fen community. The preserve is located in the floodplain of Folly Mills Creek, a tributary of the Shenandoah River. A fen is a special type of wetland with surface water originating from artesian springs and groundwater seepage at the base of a hill. This particular wetland is fed by artesian springs from an aquifer in the fractured limestone bedrock of the region. Here, calcareous or circumneutral groundwater fosters the establishment of an interesting plant community with several rare and unusual plants. These types of wetlands were once more common in the Shenandoah Valley, but most of the examples have been lost through drainage and conversion to other land uses. The vegetation is dominated by sedges and other herbaceous plants, cattails, and scattered shrubs. Rare species such as bog buckbean, pussy willow, queen-of-the-prairie, shining ladies'tresses, prairie sedge and smooth loosestrife can be found here.
This preserve is owned by Dr. Robert Mueller and his wife Elizabeth Mueller, of Augusta County. They are the first landowners in Virginia to dedicate their private property as a Virginia Natural Area Preserve.
VISITATION:
This preserve is not open for public visitation. Access to the site may be arranged by contacting the owners
at 540/885-6983.
Locality
Augusta
Owner
Private
Preserve Size
29 acres
Access
By Arrangement with Owners
CONTACT INFO
For additional information or to arrange a visit,
contact:
Ryan Klopf, Mountain Region Steward, (540) 265-5234.