Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 09, 2020
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve to close due to COVID-19
RICHMOND — Effective Friday, April 10, at 8 p.m., Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve in Floyd County will be closed to the public.
The closure is in effect through at least June 10.
Closing the preserve is necessary to protect public health, and the rare plants and animals within the preserve. Visitation has exceeded capacity in recent weeks, and narrow hiking trails to the mountain summit are not conducive to social distancing. Governor Ralph Northam outlined strict social distancing requirements in Executive Order Fifty-Five.
Heavy use of the trails and the summit area result in trail widening and soil erosion that harm the preserve’s natural heritage resources, including vulnerable rare plants, rare animals and natural communities. Overcrowding in the parking area, trails and summit place visitors and staff at risk.
The 1,146-acre preserve is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
For information, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nap-covid-19.
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