SITE DESCRIPTION:
Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve is located on the seaside of Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The protected acreage fronts on Gargathy Bay on the east and is bounded by Whites Creek and Mutton Hunk Branch on the north. A conservation focus of this protection effort was the occurrence of a globally rare sea-level fen community - one of only four in Virginia. Sea-level fens are open, freshwater wetlands located between uplands and wide, oceanside tidal marshes. The freshwater wetland vegetation is sustained by springs at the upland edge that provide large volumes of fresh groundwater. The low nutrient content of the groundwater and the acidic conditions of the soil strongly influence the types of plants found in sea-level fens. The vegetation consists of an interesting combination of acid-tolerant bog plants and tidal freshwater wetland plants capable of surviving in low nutrient areas. Five state-rare plant species occur here.
Part of the preserve is under private lease for agricultural production as part of the sale agreement. DCR will phase out the agricultural lease over several years and work to restore the fields to native upland habitats.
The protection of this and other properties in the area is a cooperative effort of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust.
Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve is located on the seaside of Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The protected acreage fronts on Gargathy Bay on the east and is bounded by Whites Creek and Mutton Hunk Branch on the north. A conservation focus of this protection effort was the occurrence of a globally rare sea-level fen community - one of only four in Virginia. Sea-level fens are open, freshwater wetlands located between uplands and wide, oceanside tidal marshes. The freshwater wetland vegetation is sustained by springs at the upland edge that provide large volumes of fresh groundwater. The low nutrient content of the groundwater and the acidic conditions of the soil strongly influence the types of plants found in sea-level fens. The vegetation consists of an interesting combination of acid-tolerant bog plants and tidal freshwater wetland plants capable of surviving in low nutrient areas. Five state-rare plant species occur here.
Part of the preserve is under private lease for agricultural production as part of the sale agreement. DCR will phase out the agricultural lease over several years and work to restore the fields to native upland habitats.
The protection of this and other properties in the area is a cooperative effort of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust.
VISITATION:
This recently acquired preserve has no public access facilities.
Part of the preserve remains under private lease for agricultural production. Please call before visiting.
Locality
Accomack
Owner
DCR
Preserve Size
412 acres
Access
By arrangement with Steward
CONTACT INFO
For additional information or to arrange a visit,
contact:
Dot Field, Eastern Shore Region Steward
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
Wachapreague, VA
(757)-787-5576.