Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia’s working farms and forests, battlefields and other historic sites, natural areas, parks and rivers are critical to its economy, culture and quality of life. In 1999, the assembly and governor established the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) to fund protection of these resources. The interactive map below depicts VLCF-grant projects funded since 2000.
| Name: | Securing Conservation Corridors in the "Green Sea" |
|---|---|
| Category: | Forestland Preservation |
| Grant Round: | FY23 |
| Acres: | 244 |
| Locality: | City of Chesapeake |
| Management Agency: | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources |
| Owner: | State |
| ConserveVirginia: | Natural Habitat & Ecosystem Diversity, Cultural & Historic Preservation, Scenic Preservation, Protected Landscapes Resilience, Water Quality Improvement |
| Amount Awarded: | $281,219.00 |
| Applicant: | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources |
| Latitude: | 36.620542 |
| Longitude: | -76.372770 |
| Description: | The Va. Dept. of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in partnership with Ducks Unlimited is seeking to purchase 224 acres in the rapidly developing City of Chesapeake to build a conservation corridor bridging the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and DWR’s Cavalier Wildlife Management Area. The parcel has significant forests (80% of the tract), and actively farmed cropland, and includes 155 acres of freshwater wooded wetlands. Soils data indicates that 90% of the property contains hydric soils, and prior to being converted to farmland, this land would have been forested wetlands as part of the Great Dismal Swamp, the “Green Sea.” The project partners intend to restore the forested wetlands, with a focus on of Atlantic White Cedar, a globally rare community type. This project provides an exciting opportunity to invest in an ecologically significant property that provides conservation connectivity, public access, climate resilience, ground water recharge, water and air quality benefits, and supports ecosystem conservation for priority wildlife species. Also, timing is critical, as the 4,000-acre farm immediately south of the property is being transformed into the Coastal Virginia Commerce Park, and the disruption to a host of natural systems is expected to be substantial. |
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