Proud to be a member

The Nature Conservancy announced today that it purchased 13,350 acres in the Dragon Run and Mattaponi watersheds. It then sold the land to The Forestland Group but retained a permanent conservation easement on the entire property - it is the largest conservation easement in the Commonwealth's history. According to the press release the easement protects one of the most unique environments in the state:

An ecological gem, Dragon Run includes diverse tidal cypress swamp communities and habitat for 90 bird species, such as bald eagles and prothonotary warblers. The waters are home to 55 species of fish and provide vital nurseries for perch, rockfish, and alewives, which are important for Chesapeake Bay commercial fishermen and sportsmen.

I'm proud to be a member of the Nature Conservancy and know that my dollars in dues/donations contribute in a small way to make preservation like this possible.