Property shares boundary with new state natural area preserve, helps protect water quality along Mockhorn Bay
Nassawadox, Virginia - The Nature Conservancy in Virginia completed its transfer of 210 acres on the Eastern Shore of Virginia to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The transfer is part of approximately 490 acres of land the Conservancy purchased in March 2005. The property is adjacent to the state's newest nature preserve, Magothy Bay Natural Area Preserve, and is located near the southern tip of the Eastern Shore where habitat for migratory birds has been identified as critical.
U.S. Sen. John Warner said, "I have been impressed by the efforts of the Nature Conservancy and local officials to expand and preserve the sensitive lands of the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. The Eastern Shore Refuge is a beautiful place, and is critical to sustaining migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway."
The Nature Conservancy originally purchased the 490-acre property for $6.2 million. Using a combination of funds provided through federal grants from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife purchased the 210 acres, which is now part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.
"Not only is this property important for migratory birds, but it also helps preserve water quality along Mockhorn Bay, a significant component of the County's aquaculture industry," said Susan Rice, Refuge Manager of the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.
The efforts to protect this property and the nearby Dixon farm evolved into an official partnership called the Southern Tip Partnership, which was formed late last year. The partnership was created by a Memorandum of Understanding designed to coordinate conservation work on the Eastern Shore. The partnership member organizations are The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Coastal Zone Management program, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Land Trust.
"The Nature Conservancy is pleased to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquire this property, which is important salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Learn more about salt marsh habitat for waterfowl, oyster reefs, diamond back terrapins, sand sharks and marine turtles," said Steve Parker, who directs The Nature Conservancy's Virginia Coast Reserve Project. "We also want to commend Sen. John Warner for his support for the conservation of natural areas, such as this important addition to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.?
Encompassing 14 barrier islands, the Virginia Coast Reserve protects the last great expanse of coastal wilderness on the Atlantic. The rich biodiversity of the barrier islands is highly dependent upon the water quality in the large expanse of bays, lagoons, mud flats and creek along the seaside of the peninsula. Since the 1960s, The Nature Conservancy has worked to protect the wildlife and waterways of Virginia's Eastern Shore.
The Virginia Coast Reserve's great ecological and cultural significance has been recognized through the following designations: United Nations International Man and the Biosphere Reserve, U.S. Department of the Interior National Natural Landmark National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmarks Program preserves sites illustrating the geological and ecological character of the United States. The program aims to enhance the scientific and educational value of the preserved sites, strengthen public appreciation of natural history and foster a greater concern for the conservation of the nation’s natural heritage. The program was established in 1962 by administrative action under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935. The first National Natural Landmarks were designated in 1963. Today, there are more than 600 National Natural Landmarks in 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Learn more about National Natural Landmark , National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research Site and Western Hemisphere International Shorebird Reserve Network Site.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization that preserves plants, animals and natural communities representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its nearly one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States?including more than 230,000 acres in Virginia?and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres around the world. Visit us on the Web at nature.org/virginia.
