Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 16, 2020
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Augusta County caves protected as Virginia’s 64th natural area preserve
RICHMOND — Historically and biologically significant caves underlying 88 acres along the South River in Augusta County have been protected through a unique partnership.
The Cave Conservancy of the Virginias, trustees of the DuPont Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and supportive landowners came together in an unprecedented effort to conserve habitat for some of Virginia’s rarest animals, including the threatened Madison Cave isopod.
The 88 acres are now known as the Cave Hill Natural Area Preserve — the 64th preserve in the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System and the first to be established since 2016.
An additional 29 acres adjoining the South River also are permanently protected as part of the project near the town of Grottoes.
“Especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand the well-documented links between biological diversity and human health," Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler said. “The science is clear that protecting other species helps protect ours, and the addition of this new natural area preserve is just one of many efforts Virginia is taking to conserve species habitat.”
CCV negotiated purchase with the land’s former owners, the Steger family, and will own and manage the preserve. The DuPont settlement, a fund for restoration projects in the South River watershed, provided funding for the acquisition.
The Virginia Natural Heritage Program at DCR provided technical expertise, completed a long-term management plan and placed permanent deed restrictions on the property to ensure it will be conserved in perpetuity, and managed specifically for its unique natural resources.
“We are thrilled to be a partner in this project to protect important cave resources, which are extremely worthy of being included in the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System,” DCR Director Clyde E. Cristman said. “We look forward to putting in place a long-term management plan that will benefit the caves, rare species and water quality of the South River.”
While Cave Hill Natural Area Preserve itself will not offer public access facilities, adjacent property owned and acquired by CCV as part of this project will feature opportunities for public fishing, boating and walking along the South River.
CCV is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and managing cave and karst resources in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as supporting karst research and education.
“This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can benefit communities and preserve natural lands, while capitalizing on each of the partner’s strengths and resources,” CCV Chairman Mike Ficco said. “CCV has a long history of these sorts of partnerships, and we are excited and honored to be trusted as stewards to this amazing property.”
The Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are trustees of the DuPont settlement funds.
“While caves are a hidden part of our world, they are well known for their unique beauty, the history they hold and the important roles they play in the natural world,” said USFWS Regional Director Wendi Weber. “The fragile and special nature of caves makes them critical for conservation. We're pleased to support the protection of Cave Hill, which will help ensure many species continue to call the area home, from the wood thrush to the threatened Madison Cave isopod.”
Madisons Saltpetre Cave
The preserve includes Madisons Saltpetre Cave, where in 1958 legendary cave biologist Tom Barr discovered the Madison Cave isopod, an eyeless freshwater crustacean. The Virginia Cave Board, under the leadership of Barr protégé John Holsinger, led efforts to provide legal status to the species, which is now protected as a threatened species under state and federal endangered species acts.
“The Madison Cave isopod is perhaps the most unique creature of the Shenandoah Valley,” DCR Karst Protection Coordinator Wil Orndorff said. “It dwells in flooded nooks and crannies of the region’s extensive groundwater aquifer. The isopod's marine ancestors colonized the network of flooded caves beneath the present-day Shenandoah Valley millions of years ago when the limestone was in contact with seawater along the Atlantic coast.”
Other rare animals that inhabit the preserve include two cave pseudoscorpions, a cave spider and the state-threatened Madison Cave amphipod.
With its prime vantage point overlooking the South River, Madisons Saltpetre Cave was almost certainly known to Native Americans who lived in the valley prior to the arrival of Europeans. Several historic figures are known to have visited the cave in the 18th century. Thomas Jefferson’s map of the cave is thought to be the first of a North American cave by a European. The cave was subsequently mined for saltpeter, an essential ingredient in gunpowder, during the War of 1812 and again during the Civil War. Later, it was operated intermittently as a show cave.
The Virginia Natural Area Preserve System
The Virginia Natural Area Preserve System was established in 1989 to protect the state’s rare plants, animals and natural communities. The system is made up of 64 preserves covering 57,858 acres. DCR owns most of the preserves, but several are owned by The Nature Conservancy, other nonprofits, universities or private individuals. Staff with the Virginia Natural Heritage Program at DCR manage these lands primarily for rare species habitat and unique natural communities, but also to provide education, research and passive recreational opportunities.
“Because there is no dedicated funding source to establish natural areas, and limited state resources overall, partnerships like the one to protect Cave Hill Natural Area Preserve are critical to protect the commonwealth’s biodiversity,” said Jason Bulluck, director of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program.
People can support the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System by making contributions to the Natural Area Preservation Fund. Checks may be made out to “Natural Area Preservation Fund” and mailed to: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, 600 E. Main St., 24th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.
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