U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy complete multi-year, $6 million effort to expand Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Eighty-two acre property on Bayside of Eastern Shore protects habitat for migratory birds

RICHMOND, VA — March 14, 2008 — The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that, with the transfer of 22 acres on Tuesday in lower Northampton County, they have completed an 82-acre, $6 million conservation effort to expand the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.

The southernmost portion of the Delmarva Peninsula has been identified by scientists as a critical stopover and staging area for millions of migratory birds during their fall southbound migration. These small songbirds nest in northern climes and winter in the tropics, utilizing much of the Western Hemisphere during their life cycle. They are suffering long-term declines due to habitat loss and other stresses throughout their range.

The Conservancy purchased the 82-acre property from Eastern Shore farmers Thomas H. Dixon and Russell R. Dixon in May 2005. Because of its close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the Dixon brothers’ property represented one of the most desirable areas for development on the Shore, due to the short commute to Norfolk and spectacular views of the bay.

Red knots at Virginia Coast Reserve. Click to learn more about this migratory species. © Barry Truitt/TNC

“The Dixon tract was one of our highest priorities for wildlife habitat protection in the comprehensive plan for the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge,” said Sue Rice, refuge manager for the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. “This acquisition is a win-win situation for both wildlife and county citizens. It serves to maintain the rural character of the county and to provide globally important wildlife habitat.”

The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognize that their success at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge depended on the steadfast support of many other individuals.

“We’ve had strong support for this project in Congress from the start,” said Michael Lipford, Virginia executive director of The Nature Conservancy. “I think everyone from members of Congress to local leaders stood behind this project for the same reasons we did. They understood the tremendous ecological importance of these lands and how conservation on the Shore benefits the local economy and quality of life.”

“We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Drake, Congressman Moran, Senator Webb, and, most of all, Senator Warner for their steadfast support of our efforts here in Northampton County,” Lipford added. “The hardwood forest and migratory bird habitat that will eventually be restored on the Dixon tract will be a lasting legacy of their conservation vision and commitment.”

The protection of the Dixon Tract is part of a broader partnership among the Service, the Conservancy, and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Department of Conservation and Recreation to protect and manage conservation lands throughout the southern tip of the peninsula.

“This land protection accomplishment is a testament to the tenacity of the strong conservation partnership that coalesced to protect high value migratory habitat in the southern tip region,” said Rick Jorgensen, senior realty specialist for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We particularly appreciate the willingness of TNC to intercede with the original landowners to facilitate the permanent protection of this key tract for the benefit of wildlife and the American people.”

Working with willing landowners and conservation partners, the Conservancy hopes to continue to protect additional priority habitats within the approved acquisition boundary of the refuge. Eventually, there is the potential to protect the most critically important habitats at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Eastern Shore is widely recognized as globally important habitat for millions of migratory birds. The Conservancy continues to work with refuge staff, state agencies and private landowners on the Eastern Shore to protect these vital natural areas for birds and other wildlife.

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 nature.org.