BP America donates 655 acres along the York River to The Nature Conservancy
May 30, 2006
BP America has donated 655 acres of forested wetlands and mature hardwood forests to The Nature Conservancy. The acreage is located near the York River where the river empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
“This part of the York River is the gateway to one of the largest and most historic fisheries on the East Coast and is an essential place for migratory birds,” said Michael Lipford, Virginia executive director of the Nature Conservancy.
“The BP America natural area illustrates the connection between land protection and water quality. By preserving this property for future generations, BP America has made an important contribution to protecting water quality in the York River.”
The BP natural area contains a range of wetland types, including tidal, non-tidal and headwater forested wetlands. The 655-acre site is the second largest, privately owned and undeveloped natural tract in York County.
The site preserves an increasingly rare forested wetland community and protects the nearby Bay waters from degradation. Migratory fish such as American shad, hickory shad, alewife, blueback herring and striped bass use the Lower York and its tributaries for reproduction. The Conservancy’s Chesapeake Rivers program has worked to protect natural areas in the watersheds of these rivers since 2001.
“This part of the York River is the gateway to one of the largest and most historic fisheries on the East Coast...”
Michael Lipford
Executive Director
The Nature Conservancy in Virginia
“BP is delighted that we can help preserve this natural acreage through our donation to The Nature Conservancy,” said Ross Pillari, president of BP America Inc.
“It is especially gratifying to know of the environmental benefits associated with preserving this natural acreage. We believe it is important for corporations to act in ways that are mutually advantageous for communities, society and business.”
BP’s 655-acre tract will serve several different purposes beyond land conservation and will continue to be used for scientific research, education and outdoor recreation:
- The Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences has been monitoring groundwater levels on a portion of the property to develop a model for assessing wetland functionality.
- Old Dominion University researchers have collected and are studying a new type of quillwort from the site that is considered new to science.
The Nature Conservancy intends to manage the property as a nature reserve until it transfers the property to a government conservation agency.
For More Information:
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Virginia
Working with partners, local businesses, communities, and people like you, The Nature Conservancy has helped to protect more than 220,000 acres of critical natural lands across the state of Virginia.
- Places We Protect: Chesapeake Rivers Program
Guided by conservation science, the Conservancy works with a variety of partners to protect the forests, lakes, wetlands, and unique habitats of the Chesapeake Rivers.
- How We Work: Migratory Bird Program
The mission of The Nature Conservancy’s Migratory Bird Program is to protect critical habitats for birds of conservation concern throughout the Western Hemisphere.
- Press Release: BP America Donates 655 Acres along the York River to The Nature Conservancy
BP America has donated 655 acres of forested wetlands and mature hardwood forests to The Nature Conservancy. The acreage is located near the York River where the river empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
- Corporate Partnerships: BP
Through its partnership with BP the Conservancy has been able to advance its conservation objectives in a number of significant projects. Since 1978, BP (including BP America, Amoco, BP Amoco, and Arco) has contributed $8 million to The Nature Conservancy.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
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