Northeast Refuges Reach Half-Million-Acre Milestone
Video Message from the Chief
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U.S. Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, Service and State officials, and representatives of national and regional conservation organizations met at Wellford Farms in Richmond County, Va., on May 14 to celebrate the contributions of the Wellford family in protecting land for the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the acquisition of the half-millionth acre of land for national wildlife refuges in the Northeast Region. A plaque was unveiled at the close of the ceremony in memory of the late Cary Wellford.
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In an area better known for its growing population density than its open spaces for wildlife, the Fish and Wildlife Service recently acquired the half-millionth acre for national wildlife refuges within the 13-state Northeast Region. The region has 71 national wildlife refuges.
The milestone was reached through the recent purchase of Wellford Farms, an 847-acre conservation easement in Richmond County, VA, for Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
"Acquiring 500,000 acres of land is no easy feat in this politically and geographically complex region, which spans the length of the densely developed East Coast from Maine to Virginia," said Regional Director Marvin Moriarty. "More than 70 years in the making, this achievement required nearly 6,000 real estate transactions and the dedication of many people in government and the conservation community, as well as conservation-minded companies and landowners."
In places like the Rappahannock River Valley, purchasing easements is an economical way to protect important wildlife habitats while landowners retain property rights for certain activities, such as farming, hunting and fishing.
Established in 1996, Rappahannock River Valley Refuge protects more than 7,300 acres of wetlands and other habitat along its namesake river and its tributaries, prime lands for waterfowl, bald eagles and other migratory birds. According to Refuge Manager Joe McCauley, the Service ultimately hopes to acquire, in fee or in easement, a total of 20,000 acres from other willing sellers in the valley.
More than 6 million people visit Northeast refuges each year to observe wildlife, hunt, fish, participate in environmental education programs, photograph wildlife, or take part in interpretive programs.
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