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Cumberland Marsh Preserve, Virginia. This preserve, a mixture of freshwater tidal marsh and wooded upland, provides pristine habitat for wetlands species, migrating waterfowl, and has the world's largest population of the rare sensitive joint-vetch. © Jennifer Rich/The Nature Conservancy

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Get the most of your visit to Cumberland Marsh Preserve. View All

Plan Your Visit

Take a hike! Download a trail map before your trip. View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit

Vandell Preserve at Cumberland Marsh is a mixture of freshwater tidal marsh and wooded upland. This preserve provides pristine habitat for wetlands species, migrating waterfowl, and has the world's largest population of the rare sensitive joint-vetch. An observation deck on the marsh offers views of a wide variety of bird species, including bald eagles.

Location

Southern bank of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County

Hours

Open from dawn to dusk

Size

1,094 acres

Conditions

Handicapped-accessible boardwalk and observation deck on the marsh remain open. There are no restrooms.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site

Purchased in 1993, Cumberland Marsh is an important site in the Chesapeake Rivers landscape program area. The preserve protects a pristine marsh habitat on the Pamunkey River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

The Conservancy monitors the endangered sensitive joint-vetch plant. Part of the preserve consists of working farm, and the Conservancy is working with a local farmer to use best-management practices on the land. The adjacent Cumberland Hospital for Children also uses the preserve for outdoor rehabilitation programs.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants

World's largest population of the rare plant sensitive joint vetch occurs here.

What to See: Birds

Bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and egrets; wintering populations of black ducks, wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese.

Plan Your Visit

Download a trail map of Cumberland Marsh (pdf).

For information, contact the Virginia State Office: (434) 295-6106.

Directions

From Richmond:

• Take 1-64 east to Route 155 at New Kent/Providence Forge (exit #214).
• Go north on Route 155 to the intersection with Route 249, then turn right on 249.
• Pass through town of New Kent (look for post office on right), and continue through a short stretch of woods.
• Take first left after the post office onto Route 637 (follow the small sign for Cumberland Hospital for Children).
• A few hundred yards before the hospital, look to the left for a preserve sign.
• Turn left at sign; follow the gravel road to parking area at edge of field.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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