Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia’s working farms and forests, battlefields and other historic sites, natural areas, parks and rivers are critical to its economy, culture and quality of life. In 1999, the assembly and governor established the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) to fund protection of these resources. The interactive map below depicts VLCF-grant projects funded since 2000.
| Name: | Eastern Shore Forest Conservation Initiative (FY20) |
|---|---|
| Category: | Forestland Preservation |
| Grant Round: | FY20 |
| Acres: | 7,912 |
| Locality: | Accomack and Northampton Counties |
| Management Agency: | Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources |
| Owner: | State |
| ConserveVirginia: | Agriculture & Forestry, Natural Habitat & Ecosystem Diversity, Floodplains & Flooding Resilience, Scenic Preservation, Protected Landscapes Resilience |
| Amount Awarded: | $292,287.00 |
| Applicant: | Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries |
| Latitude: | 37.809813 |
| Longitude: | -75.627244 |
| Description: | The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) received VLCF funding in two grant rounds (FY2020 - $292,287; FY2021 - $421,875) to help acquire and conserve 7,912 acres of forestland located in Accomack and Northampton counties through its Eastern Shore Forest Conservation initiative. This project expands existing Wildlife Management Areas, facilitates natural marsh migration, supports coastal resiliency, provides new public lands for wildlife-related recreation, and, most importantly, improves habitat for migratory birds and species of greatest conservation need in an area of hemispheric importance. The Delmarva Peninsula, including Accomack and Northampton counties, supports 7-10 million birds in fall migration annually. The lack of sufficient food and shelter in the Virginia portion creates an energy deficit for birds attempting to cross the Chesapeake Bay and continue southward migration. The DWR and partners estimate that improvement of the forest quality on the subject property could double the food resources available to migratory birds in this region. The addition of this acreage to the public land portfolio substantially expands opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, hiking, outdoor recreation, and more. Project partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia, and The Conservation Fund. |
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