Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
LOCALITY |
OWNER |
ACRES |
ACCESS |
NEWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | DCR | 3441 | Closed. Insufficient funding and staff |
SITE DESCRIPTION:
This is one of Virginia's largest natural area preserves, encompassing nearly 3,500 acres, and is mostly comprised of wetland communities, five of which are rare in Virginia. Especially notable is the presence of pocosins, a community type that is fast disappearing from the southeast U.S. Pocosins are characterized by tangled masses of dense evergreen shrubs and vines with a scattered pond pine overstory. This unique wetland community and the forested swamps and freshwater tidal marshes of the lower North Landing River support at least 11 rare species of plants and animals. The area also provides important habitat for breeding and wintering waterfowl.
Notice: This preserve remains closed to public access due to staffing shortfalls.
Access facilities include parking, a boardwalk portage trail to a canoe/kayak launch on Alton's Creek, a water trail interpretive guide and map, a wildlife viewing platform, and interpretive signage. The North Landing River, a designated state scenic river, provides fine paddling opportunities, close encounters with nature, and a sense of wildness only a short distance from the busy, fast-developing communities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or prescribed burning activities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
A portion of the acquisition and public access improvements on this preserve were funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant # NA27OZ0312-01, NA47OZ0287-01, NA57OZ0561-01, and NA67OZ0360-01 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.
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