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, 2018
Contact:
Nearly 100 acres added to Natural Area Preserve System
Last week the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) closed on three tracts of land that were added to two state Natural Area Preserves. Two tracts totaling nearly 44 acres were added to The Cedars Natural Area Preserve in Lee County in southwest Virginia, and 53 acres were added to Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore.
"Virginia's Natural Area Preserves protect some of the most beautiful and unique areas in the Commonwealth, home to some of the rarest natural communities and rare species habitats in Virginia," said Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler. "Governor Northam has committed his administration to protecting Virginia's highest value lands, and the expansion of these two preserves is a great example of the high-value lands we hope to continue to protect throughout the remainder of the Governor's time in office."
“These three acquisitions, completed during Virginia Public Lands Week, embody DCR’s dedication to protecting the very best of Virginia’s natural resources from our Eastern Shore to our southwest mountains,” said DCR Director Clyde Cristman, adding, “With support from partners and the citizens of Virginia, we will continue to protect Virginia’s rare species habitat and natural communities for this and future generations.”
The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF), Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS) and Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VCZMP), which is administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, helped facilitate the purchases. The VNPS raised funds for rare native plant and natural community conservation and contributed the money to DCR’s Natural Area Preservation Fund. The contribution was critical to the additions at The Cedars Natural Area Preserve. VCZMP provided funding for the addition to Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve. VLCF provided matching grant funds for all the additions.
“The VNPS is proud to have helped with the acquisition of these important properties,” said VNPS President Nancy Vehrs. “The Cedars is an area of incredible biodiversity, and now these additional parcels will be protected for generations to come.”
"Thanks to our funds from NOAA through the Coastal Zone Management Act, this acquisition is a wonderful contribution to the Virginia CZM program and its partners' decades-long efforts to protect and enhance the globally important migratory bird stopover on Virginia's Eastern Shore and make it available to the public," said Laura McKay, manager of Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality. "This parcel of land is a critical link. As it reverts to native scrub-shrub habitat and becomes a feeding and resting spot for migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes and other songbirds, visitors will be able to view the spectacle of migration from the adjacent bike path," added McKay.
Biologists consider The Cedars a biodiversity hotspot and among the rarest species-rich areas in North America. The preserve has many rare species including eight found nowhere else in Virginia. Likewise, many rare and imperiled fish and mussel species maintain a stronghold in the Clinch and Powell river watersheds due in part to decades of land protection and management. The Cedars also lies within a karst region with caves that provide rare species habitat. The karst also filters and has conduits for the region’s drinking water.
Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve has woodlands, forested wetlands and extensive salt marshes. Its land provides habitat for a variety of coastal species including waterfowl, mussels, snails and diamondback terrapins. The southern tip of the Eastern Shore and this preserve are significant stopover areas where millions of birds rest and feed during migration. DCR has been involved in habitat restoration work on the Eastern Shore for 15 years.
Virginians interested in protecting the state’s native plant and animal life and the ecosystems upon which they depend can make a tax-deductible donation to the Natural Area Preservation Fund. Email NAPF@dcr.virginia.gov for details.
Established in 1989, Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve System protects rare plants, animals and natural communities.
Most preserves in the system are owned by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, but some are owned by local governments, universities, The Nature Conservancy and private landowners who have dedicated land for natural area preservation. State natural area preserves are managed by DCR Virginia Natural Heritage Program staff.
Share this news release:
