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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 23, 2024
Contact: Kim Wells, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-217-1077, kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov

Machicomoco State Park announces Adam Newland as park manager

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Adam Newland with a giraffe)

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Adam Newland and a possum)

GLOUCESTER, Va. --- Adam Newland has been named the newest park manager at Machicomoco State Park.

Newland is a native of Gloucester where he began his career in retail and worked in various roles, including management, before finding his purpose in conservation and animal education. He attended William & Mary to study biology and during his time there he worked at a local zoo, providing care for a myriad of avian and mammal species.

After caring for, training and conducting programing for many exotic species at a zoo on Lake Erie, he took a position managing Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton, VA. Over the course of eight years, the farm implemented a huge variety of improvements to better serve the animal residents, visitors and community.

Newland is eager to work with his new team to preserve this special location that runs along the York River about ten miles downriver from Werowocomoco, the village that served as the headquarters of Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomco. Machicomoco means “a special meeting place” in the Algonquin language spoken by the tribes of Tsenacomoco.

“I am most excited to work on our conservation efforts,” said Newland. “Machicomoco truly is a special meeting place where the natural world and thousands of years of human habitation all come together. I am very excited to be a part of the team, protecting the cultural heritage of this site as well as the natural resources here for future generations, while expanding the infrastructure and embracing the great accessibility of this park.”

Newland is passionate about Virginia native wildlife and the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Having worked as primary care for a wide range of animals from red wolves to giraffes, he became very interested in a job with Virginia State Parks where he can put into practice the methods of conservation that he often spoke about.

There are several fall programs at Machicomoco State Park that he is excited to share with the park guests.

Upcoming park events include (See full list here):

Smoke and S’mores (learn about Virgina’s First Peoples’ use of fire and enjoy a treat)
Sunset on the Steps (enjoy amazing golden hour views and learn from a ranger)
Insects after Dark (see and learn about night insects with a ranger)
Timberneck Tuesdays (take a tour and experience the history of the land)

“One of my favorite programs that we do often is Poisonous and Palatable,” said Newland. “A ranger teaches guests about what plants are good or bad for human use while they hike and see them in the wild. There is also a game component where you see how you would survive with your new knowledge. It’s a fun and educational way to help the guests connect with nature.”

When he isn’t managing park operations or programs, Newland enjoys exploring the world with his wife and their young daughter.

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Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.

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