Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve
Location in Virginia
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| Location | Floyd County, Virginia |
| Nearest city | Willis, Virginia |
| Area | 244 acres (99 ha) |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
The Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve is a special protected area in Floyd County, Virginia. It covers about 244 acres (99 hectares) of land. This preserve is important because it protects unique wetlands and the rare plants and animals that live there.
Contents
What Makes This Preserve Special?
The preserve has two main types of land. One part is made up of wetlands. These are areas where the land is often wet, like a swamp or marsh. These wetlands are home to many rare species of plants and animals.
Plants and Trees
The wetlands at Chestnut Creek are mostly covered by sedges and grasses. These are types of plants that love wet soil. There are not many large trees or bushes in the wettest parts.
The other part of the preserve has upland slopes. These are higher, drier areas. Here, you can find northern hardwood trees. These include trees like beech, birch, and maple.
A Look at Its History
For a long time, people used this land for farming and grazing animals. Grazing means letting animals like cows eat grass. Even with this history, the important wetlands have survived and are still thriving today.
How the Preserve Was Created
The land for the Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve was bought with special funds. Part of the money came from a state government bond. This is like a loan that the state government takes out, approved by voters, to pay for important projects.
Another part of the money came from a recovery grant. This grant was given by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. They provide money to help protect and restore important natural areas.
Who Manages the Preserve?
The preserve is owned and taken care of by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. This is a state agency that works to protect Virginia's natural and historic resources.
As of 2016, a small part of the preserve is still used for farming under an agricultural lease. This means a farmer pays to use some of the land for crops or animals.
Visiting the Preserve
The Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve does not have special paths or buildings for visitors. If you want to visit, you need to make plans ahead of time. You must contact a land steward who works for the state. They will help you arrange your visit.
