SITE DESCRIPTION:
Located on the Chesapeake Bay 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 and black cherry is found on old dune ridges in the marsh. Narrow bands of forest
dominated by loblolly pine and black cherry 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 threatened 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 additional information contact the Virginia Coast Reserve office of The Nature Conservancy
at (757) 442-3049.
