Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 03, 2016
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Explore some of Virginia's best-kept natural areas Oct. 22 and 23
Photos are available at www.flickr.com/photos/pcopros2/galleries/72157673489307761/
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program will celebrate its 30th anniversary Oct. 22 and 23 with field days at natural area preserves across the state.
The field days are free and open to the public. They offer a unique opportunity to experience some of Virginia’s best natural communities. Each event will include guided group hikes and natural-history interpretation by DCR Natural Heritage staff and volunteers.
Hosting multiple field days on the same day, statewide, was a big success for the Virginia Natural Heritage Program in 2011, and DCR is staging these popular events again. Field days will be held at the following natural area preserves:
Bald Knob, Franklin County
Chub Sandhill, Sussex County
Crow’s Nest, Stafford County
Goshen Pass, Rockbridge County
Hughlett Point, Northumberland County
Pinnacle, Russell County
Savage Neck Dunes, Northampton County
The Cedars, Lee County
To read a description of each preserve and register online, go to: www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/thirtyyears-fielddays
Advance registration is required. The number of participants will be limited at some locations to ensure participant safety and enjoyment, and to protect resources at certain natural areas. Registration is first come, first served. Registration also can be made by calling 804-786-7951.
DCR’s Natural Heritage Program launched in 1986 as a cooperative effort between The Nature Conservancy and the commonwealth. The program’s mission is to conserve Virginia’s biodiversity through inventory, data management, environmental review, land protection and natural area stewardship. The program has three times been recognized as the Outstanding Program in the NatureServe Natural Heritage Network, which covers all 50 states and Canadian provinces and 19 Latin American programs.
Virginia’s natural area preserve system is managed by DCR staff. To date, the system includes 63 properties and nearly 56,000 acres of protected lands. These preserves contain some of the best examples of natural communities and rare plant and animal habitats in the state, and in the world. Forty-two preserves are owned by DCR, while 21 are owned by local governments, universities, private citizens or The Nature Conservancy.
For more information or to arrange advance media coverage, contact DCR Public Relations Specialist Julie Buchanan at 804-786-2292 or julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Get updates at www.facebook.com/virginianaturalheritageprogram
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