Northwest River Natural Area Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northwest River Natural Area Preserve |
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 Northwest River Natural Area Preserve
Location in Virginia
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| Location | City of Chesapeake, Virginia |
| Area | 2,774 acres (11.23 km2) |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
The Northwest River Natural Area Preserve is a special protected area in Chesapeake, Virginia. It covers about 2,774 acres (11.2 km²). This preserve helps protect important natural habitats like forests, swamps, and marshes. All these areas are found along the beautiful Northwest River.
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What Makes the Northwest River Preserve Special?
The Northwest River Natural Area Preserve is a large natural area in Chesapeake, Virginia. It covers about 2,774 acres, which is like having over 2,000 football fields of nature! This preserve is very important because it protects different kinds of land. You can find tall forests, wet swamps, and grassy marshes here.
Amazing Plants and Animals
This preserve is a home for many rare and special plants and animals. It's like a secret hideaway for creatures you might not see anywhere else.
Forest Dwellers
In the preserve's forests, you might find unique plants like the silky camellia (Stewartia malacodendron). This plant has beautiful flowers. You might also find animals like the canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). These snakes are an important part of the forest ecosystem.
Swamp Life
The wet swamps in the preserve are home to different kinds of wildlife. One special animal is the Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris fisheri). This tiny mammal is very rare. You can also find interesting plants like the epiphytic sedge (Carex decomposita). Another unique insect found here is the Dukes' skipper (Euphyes dukesi), a type of butterfly.
Marsh Inhabitants
The grassy marshes are full of life too! Plants like sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and winged seedbox (Ludwigia alata) grow here. These plants provide shelter and food for many animals. You might also spot tiny little grass frogs (Pseudacris ocularis) hopping around.
Who Manages the Preserve?
The Northwest River Natural Area Preserve is owned and cared for by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. This group works hard to keep the preserve healthy and safe for all its plants and animals.
Visiting the Preserve
This preserve is mainly for protecting nature, so it doesn't have public trails or visitor centers. If you want to visit, you need to make arrangements first. You can contact a state-employed land steward to get permission and learn how to explore this special place safely.
