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The Nature Conservancy Applauds Congressional Support for Conservation and Restoration Projects in Virginia

Funding will support conservation action in southeast Virginia and on the Eastern Shore

RICHMOND, VA — The Nature Conservancy today applauded members of Virginia’s congressional delegation for their hard work in securing more than $3 million for conservation projects that help protect and restore globally important migratory-bird habitat and safeguard mature swamp forests.

The recently completed Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation legislation delivers $1.6 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to complete the transfer of 82 acres to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.   The Eastern Shore is widely recognized as globally important habitat for millions of migratory birds. The Conservancy works with the refuge staff, state agencies and private landowners on the Eastern Shore to protect these vital natural areas for birds and other wildlife. In addition, the completed legislation will help an ambitious wetlands restoration in the village of Oyster on the Eastern Shore.

The commonwealth will also benefit from an appropriation of $1.5 million from the Forest Legacy program for the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Nottoway River project. These federal funds will conserve forest land that helps protect drinking water for thousands of residents in the Hampton Roads region. Securing

“These conservation projects exemplify the collaborative efforts needed to ensure the protection of Virginia’s lands and waters for both people and nature,” said Michael Lipford, Virginia executive director of The Nature Conservancy. “Virginia is fortunate to have strong congressional leaders who recognize the need to conserve ecologically important places.”

Lipford commended Sen. John Warner, Sen. Jim Webb, Rep. Thelma Drake and Rep. Jim Moran for their support of the refuge expansion. Lipford also thanked Warner, Webb, Moran and Rep. Randy Forbes for their support of the Nottoway River project. He also praised Warner, Webb and Drake for their support of habitat-restoration work in Oyster.

“Conserving natural places such as the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and the forests of southeastern Virginia contributes significantly to the environmental security of Virginia,” said Warner. “Protecting these lands is critical to the health of the natural world and our quality of life here in Virginia. I’m pleased we were able to secure more than $3 million toward these projects for the benefit of all Virginians.”

Webb said, “The protection of the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge and the restoration of wetlands in the village of Oyster are instrumental in ensuring Virginia’s abundance of diverse coastal wildlife. The area hosts millions of migratory birds annually, and its protection is crucial to the overall ecological integrity of the existing Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge. The appropriations bill also provides $1.5 million for the Nottoway River Pinelands Forest Legacy project in Sussex County that will protect thousands of acres of forest and wetlands and help maintain water quality for many Hampton Roads communities,” Webb continued.   “I applaud The Nature Conservancy and their partners for working with the state government, local communities and landowners to enhance Virginia’s diverse wildlife habitat,” Webb concluded.

“Preserving our environment for future generations should be one of our foremost goals,” said Moran. “I’m pleased to have played a role in helping our refuge system and the state of Virginia in securing funds to conserve important forestland and protect water quality.”

“Virginia’s southeast economy has a strong stake in the future of the forestry industry, which represents one of the largest manufacturing segments of the state’s labor force,” Forbes said. “The Nottoway River project is an example of how protecting the environment and supporting local economies are not mutually exclusive.”

Drake said, “The funding included in this legislation is critical for protecting and preserving the fragile ecosystems on the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is the northern gateway of the Chesapeake Bay—not only for travelers heading south down Route 13, but also for the millions of songbirds that stop there for rest during migration. Additionally, providing conservation dollars to the seaside village of Oyster will benefit the quality of life for local residents—both human and non-human.  Protecting these natural lands is critical for maintaining a healthy Chesapeake Bay and beautiful Eastern Shore.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding for land acquisition by the following federal agencies: the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.  It also provides matching grants to state and local governments to acquire recreational land and natural areas. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is funded by receipts from off-shore oil and gas leasing and development.

The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the Forest Service, state governments and private landowners that identifies and protects ecologically important forest habitat threatened by possible development or unsustainable practices. Program objectives are met through land acquisition, or conservation easements that protect working forests while meeting important conservation goals.
 

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.