|
- |
BY RUSTY DENNEN
Preservation of the Crow's Nest peninsula in Stafford County has gotten its second boost in as many months.
The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust announced yesterday that it has received $800,000 from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation to acquire another 1,200 acres of the environmentally significant tract.
Together with a previous foundation grant, the NVCT has amassed $1.3 million toward the purchase of the addition to the Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve. The initial purchase on the peninsula encompassed 1,770 acres.
Based in Annandale, the NVCT has preserved more than 4,000 acres in Northern Virginia through 90 conservation easements and ownership of 17 properties. It owns 70 acres adjacent to Crow's Nest in one of the largest great blue heron nesting sites along the Potomac River.
The trust is part of a coalition of government and conservation agencies raising money to exercise a purchase option on the 1,200 acres by Dec. 1.
Backers have reportedly raised more than half of the $16.2 million needed for the Phase 2 purchase.
Last month, the U.S.
Crow's Nest is the peninsula between Accokeek and Potomac creeks. It's named after the Crow, a black schooner that moored off the property in the early 19th century.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Stafford County last spring purchased the 1,770 acres for $19 million from a Northern Virginia investment partnership, with a two-year option to purchase the rest.
Crow's Nest, with its undeveloped forest and shoreline, is considered a natural jewel. It has been a top priority for acquisition by the state, and in 2006 was named one of the region's top six conservation priorities by the Washington Smart Growth Alliance.
According to the NVCT, the property "lies within the view shed of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and preservation will keep the land looking as it did when Pocahontas was abducted off the shores of Crow's Nest by [English Capt.] Samuel Argall in 1613."
The property is home to rare plants, and has rich cultural resources such as Civil War and American Indian sites.
The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation provides state funding for open spaces and parks, natural areas, historic areas, and farmland and forest preservation. The money comes from the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, which is managed by the foundation.
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
