The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Coles Mountain Tract from Lower Cascades Golf Course © Tim Michel

The property is or will be encumbered by a conservation easement as described below.

Description

Flying in from the west, one sees large National Forest holdings in the Monangahela and George Washington, unbroken green carpets of mountain woodland until the silvery surface of Lake Moomaw shines deep in the valley. Over 60,000 acres of federal and state lands immediately surround the lake and Coles Mountain stands out in the east. The Conservancy's two tracts (772 acres total) comprise the eastern side of the ridge and looks through the spectacular Cascades Gorge to the Conservancy's 4200 ft. elevation Warm Springs Mountain Preserve.
 

Primary Conservation Objective

Coles Mountain is located in the upper Jackson River watershed and its clean springs and streams help to sustain water quality in one of Virginia’s premier mountain river systems. Coles Mountain is also part of a much larger block of contiguous native forest containing more than 69,000 acres. Goals for the property include the permanent protection of all streamside areas, steep slopes, and the high elevation forested ridgeline of Coles Mountain.

Biodiversity Highlights

Coles Mountain provides a diversity of forest habitats including rich Cove and Slope forests, Oak-Hickory forests, and Pine-Oak-Heath woodlands. These habitats support a myriad of native plant and animal species including bobcat, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse. In the spring, the forests of Coles Mountain display a profusion of flowering herbs, shrubs, and tree species characteristic of the Central Appalachian
mountains.
 

Easements and Restrictions

Coles Mountain will be offered in two tracts encumbered by a conservation easement. Development is restricted to one (1) single-family residential dwelling per parcel contained in carefully sited building envelopes. The specific location of each building envelope is subject to the Conservancy's approval. All forest management is subject to a Conservancy approved plan that will ensure protection of water quality, and the sustainable management of native forest species.