Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge |
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336 Wilna Road Warsaw, VA 22572 E-mail: fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov Phone Number: (804) 333-1470 |
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Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/rappahannock |
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Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the newest of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Established in 1996, the goal of the Refuge is to protect 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the River and its major tributaries. As of May 2005, a total of 7,711 acres have been purchased from willing sellers or donated by Refuge partners, including 1,033 acres of conservation easements. With help from our conservation partners, including Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and The Trust for Public Land, we are well on our way toward achieving our land protections goal. Getting There . . . From Tappahannock, Virginia, take US-360 E (across the Rappahannock River, toward Warsaw). Follow US-360 E for 4.1 miles, then turn LEFT onto Rt. 624/Newland Rd. Follow Newland Rd. for 4.2 miles, then turn LEFT onto Strangeway/Rt 636. Follow Strangeway for 1/4 mile, then turn RIGHT onto Sandy Lane/Rt 640. Follow Sandy Lane for 1.1 miles, then turn LEFT into Rappahannock River Valley NWR. Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address: |
Environmental Education Fishing Hunting Interpretation Photography Wildlife Observation Learn More >> Being a relatively new Refuge, we are still in the process of establishing the full compliment of baseline biological surveys. We have conducted habitat mapping using geographic information systems, breeding bird surveys, marsh bird surveys, aerial waterfowl surveys during migration and winter, small mammal surveys, insect trapping, annuran (frogs) call counts, and vernal pool investigations. The Refuge enrolled seven fields, totaling 230 acres, in a regional research study looking at different management techniques to benefit grassland-nesting birds. We have studied three different techniques for censussing wintering grassland songbirds. Beginning in 2001, the Refuge has taken a leadership role in controlling invasive stands of Phragmites australis (common reed) on both public and private lands along the entire tidal portion of the Rappahannock River. Using grants and matching private funds, we have been able to treat 120 different stands of phragmites, totalling over 250 acres. Over 100 private landowners have enrolled in the control program, which we expect to continue as long as funds are available. Learn More>> |
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