Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing the location of Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve
Map showing the location of Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve
LocationGiles and Bland counties, Virginia
Nearest cityNarrows, Virginia
Coordinates37°17′47″N 80°58′54″W / 37.29634851038942°N 80.98157194066175°W / 37.29634851038942; -80.98157194066175[1]
Area1,596 acres (646 ha)
Established2006
OwnerVirginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/chestnutridge

Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve is a Natural Area Preserve located in Giles and Bland counties, Virginia. A 1,596-acre (646 ha) tract of old-growth forest, it is dominated by northern red oak and chestnut oak. The extent of unbroken forest on the property is unusual for southwestern Virginia; many of the trees, including cucumber magnolia and American basswood, are between three and four hundred years old.[2]

The preserve was privately owned from its establishment in 2006 until 2020, when the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation purchased the property.[3]

In May 2023, the preserve expanded by 775 acres to its current size, adding 1.5 miles of riparian forest along Dry Fork, a stream that contains native trout.[4]

See also

References

  1. "Chestnut Ridge Natural Area". ProtectedPlanet. United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  2. "Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  3. McGarvey, Jason (2023-05-23). "Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve doubles in size". Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. Geary, Justin (2023-05-22). "Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve doubling in size". WBDG7. Retrieved 2023-11-12.


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