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Crow's Nest preservation in Stafford celebrated with waterside ceremony; open house tours of the nature preserve planned for late fall Date published: 9/15/2009
By KELLY HANNON Peering into binoculars, biologist Chris Ludwig points out the treasures of Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve to fellow passengers on a pontoon boat, drifting offshore. During a 30-minute boat ride down Potomac Creek yesterday, passengers spot a blue heron with Ludwig's help. They hear about the dense tree canopy of 80- to 100-year-old trees, and marshes filled with water lilies and water lotus. They learn that 60 neotropical migratory birds spend April through September in the nature preserve, where they can feast on insects undisturbed by most predators. But perhaps best of all, when complete, the Crow's Nest preserve in eastern Stafford County will let the public explore a quiet, undisturbed space unlike anything else in Northern Virginia, Ludwig predicted. "In my mind, they won't hear anything but non-human sounds," said Ludwig, chief biologist for the state-funded Virginia Heritage Program. "You will not hear road noise or dogs barking." A four-decade quest to preserve 2,870 acres of mature forest and wetlands at Crow's Nest came to a successful close in 2008 and 2009. County, state and federal funding allowed Stafford and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to purchase the land in two phases: 1,770 acres in April 2008 for $19 million, and 1,100 acres in July for $14.2 million. The Department of Conservation and Recreation will manage the property as a state preserve. Acquiring Crow's Nest achieved several goals. One was to preserve it from future development. Another was to protect animal, aquatic and plant life at the site, along with opening a pristine natural space to public use. Stafford supervisor Paul Milde represents the Aquia district where Crow's Nest is located. Milde persuaded property owners to lower their price for a portion of the land making up the preserve, clearing the way for it to be purchased by the county and state. Milde said the preserve is "noteworthy for what's not there--no houses, no cars, no pavement." The public will have a chance to visit the preserve briefly this fall during a guided open house, but there is no funding yet to keep it open permanently.
Please tell me the preserve will be both smoke and dog free.
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