Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 12, 2010
Contact:
Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve hosts field day Nov. 6
~ Reservations for event taken starting Oct. 18 ~
(STAFFORD, Va.) – The public is invited to explore Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve on Saturday, Nov. 6. Reservations are required and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Oct. 18. The 2,872-acre Crow’s Nest peninsula, which fronts Accokeek and Potomac creeks, is in Stafford County. The state natural area preserve features a globally significant upland forest community, vast pristine tidal marshes and the most extensive intact mature coastal plain hardwood forest in the mid-Atlantic region.
Hosted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program, the field day will include guided hikes and natural history interpretation. DCR Natural Heritage staff will lead hiking trips at 9 a.m. with all participants leaving by noon, and another hike at 1 p.m. with participants leaving the preserve by 4 p.m.
Attendance to the field day is limited to 120 people. Reservations will be available by calling (804) 786-7951 beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 18 and requesting a 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. hike.
This event is one of several being held statewide during fall 2009 to showcase Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve System, established to protect rarest natural communities and rare species habitats in the state. Throughout Virginia, there are 60 dedicated natural area preserves encompassing 50,000 acres and protecting more than 350 unique, significant natural communities and rare plant and animal species.
Parking at Crow’s Nest is limited, and reservations are required for participation. Outside of this one-day event, the preserve remains closed because of a lack of staffing and public access facilities. For more information about Crow’s Nest and other state natural area preserves, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves.
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