Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 09, 2010
Contact:
Crow?s Nest Natural Area Preserve hosts public field day
(STAFFORD, Va.) ? The public is invited to join in a day of exploring Crow?s Nest Natural Area Preserve on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Reservations are required and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event gives citizens a chance to see Crow?s Nest before it officially opens to the public. Outside of this event, the preserve is closed because of a lack of staffing and public access facilities.
The 2,872-acre Crow?s Nest peninsula fronts Accokeek and Potomac creeks in Stafford County. The recently acquired state natural area preserve has a globally significant upland forest community and vast pristine tidal marshes. It also has the most extensive intact mature coastal plain hardwood forest in the mid-Atlantic region.
Hosted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the field day will include guided hikes and natural history interpretation. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. DCR Natural Heritage staff will lead hikes at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call (804) 786-7951 after 8 a.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010, to reserve a spot.
Similar events will be held statewide during 2010 to showcase Virginia?s Natural Area Preserve System. The system was established to protect the state?s rarest natural communities and rare species habitats. Virginia has 59 dedicated natural area preserves encompassing 49,531 acres. The preserves protect 356 unique, significant natural communities and rare plant and animal species.
Parking at Crow?s Nest is limited, and reservations are required. For details about Crow?s Nest and other state natural area preserves, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves.
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