Shenandoah National Park will grow in size
Shenandoah National Park will soon grow by over 900 acres.
The Shenandoah National Park Trust, working alongside the Commonwealth of Virginia and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the DuPont Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration settlement, acquired the rolling woodlands in Page County to be donated in the near future to Shenandoah Park.
“The Trust supports many worthy programs for the Park including contiguous land acquisition,” said Greg Yates, chair of the Trust. “We are excited that this land will be conserved and will always be a resource for the public.”
The Trust acquired parcels from three di erent landowners which border Shenandoah National Park and include the surrounding anks and most of Chapman Mountain.
A section of the West Branch of Naked Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Shenandoah River that supports brook trout and other headwater sheries, will be protected through this acquisition. The large acreage of contiguous and relatively undisturbed woodland and forested habitat will provide habitat to black bears, migratory birds, bats (potentially including Indiana Bat and Northern Long-Eared Bat), and other wildlife.
The acreage falls within Conserve Virginia’s Natural Habitat and Ecosystem Diversity and Agriculture and Forestry categories.
“Shenandoah National Park is pleased that the Trust has acquired these lands to be donated to the park,” Superintendent Patrick Kenney said. “We appreciate that the sellers willingly sold these lands to the Trust, knowing these lands will conserve valuable habitat and ensure park views are preserved.”
“The Trust's good work to conserve these lands identi ed in Governor Northam's Conserve Virginia model illustrates targeting limited funding to protect the most valuable landscapes,” stated Matthew J. Strickler, Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources. “Protecting lands within the South Fork Shenandoah River watershed through the DuPont settlement will help restore recreational opportunities lost to the legacy of mercury pollution and improve our waterways for future generations to enjoy.”
The DuPont settlement provided necessary funding for the acquisition. The Trust purchased these properties with funds awarded from a settlement reached between the state of Virginia, Fish and Wildlife, and the former E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
Criteria for the funds stated they were to be used for “land protection, property acquisition, and recreational and wildlife enhancements — riparian habitat along the South River or South Fork Shenandoah River.”
These properties are located within the watershed of Naked Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Shenandoah River.
“Public lands have immense value for wildlife, forest health, air and water quality, and recreation, as well as for the enjoyment of our future generations and our own peace of mind,” said Cindy Schulz, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Virginia eld o ce supervisor. “We're pleased to support the conservation of nearly 900 acres that will soon become part of one of our region's treasured parks.”
The Trust negotiated with the willing sellers, and the sale was nalized on Jan. 28, 2021. The Trust has placed this land under a conservation easement held by Valley Conservation Council.
“Tanners Ridge will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said James R. Graves, Managing Member of Tanners Ridge Properties LLC. “The partners of Tanners Ridge Properties LLC are extremely proud to have this land included into the enduring legacy of the Shenandoah National Park.”
Graves added, “We feel that this is a landmark conservation achievement for our Page County community and for the Commonwealth of Virginia to have collectively added almost 1,000 additional acres into the core of the Shenandoah National Park.