Bass Pro Shops recently celebrated the grand opening of its new store in Hampton, Virginia, with an "Evening for Conservation." Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, and Director of Conservation Martin McDonald were joined by corporate sponsors and celebrities as they cut the ribbon opening the store. To show the corporation's commitment to conservation, Bass Pro Shops dedicated 10 percent of the proceeds of the evening's sales to the National Wildlife Refuge System through the Chesapeake Conservation Challenge. Three national wildlife refuges in Virginia were represented at the event with staff and displays: Back Bay, Great Dismal Swamp and Rappahannock River Valley national wildlife refuges. The Northeast Region's Division of Fisheries was also represented by the Virginia Fisheries Coordinator.

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge has already been the recipient of funds from the Chesapeake Conservation Challenge. Through the Service's partners, Bass Pro Shops, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Conservation Fund and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the refuge has protected and restored a 463-acre tract within the refuge. Over 40,000 hardwood trees have been planted on 190 acres of former agricultural land and an additional 10 acres is scheduled for an experimental reforestation effort using a modified peanut planter to plant acorns. The planter will then be donated to the refuge. Drain tiles are also being broken and plugged to restore natural hydrology to the tract.

The Service acquired the land at a significantly reduced price in a land transfer from The Conservation Fund, and all the restoration work is being done without cost to the Service.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast