The virginia department of wildlife resources (DWR) is pleased to submit a request for $1,000,000 to acquire, conserve and improve 621.42 acres of coastal wetlands and buffering uplands in accomack…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) a $1,389,100 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration (CFDA 15.614) grant to acquire, conserve, and improve 621.42 acres of coastal wetlands and uplands in Accomack County, Virginia. This fee-simple acquisition will expand a key wildlife management area, facilitate inland marsh migration, enhance coastal resiliency, and provide new public recreation land. The project aims to restore and improve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife species in a region of hemispheric importance for bird migration. Through this grant, DWR will remove development threats, manage habitats, and improve food resources to benefit ecologically and commercially significant species like American black duck, saltmarsh sparrow, black rail, blue crab, and striped bass. The grant period spans from January 10, 2025, to January 10, 2028.

The virginia department of wildlife resources (DWR) is pleased to submit a request for $1,000,000 to acquire, conserve and improve 621.42 acres of coastal wetlands and buffering uplands in accomack county, virginia, through its eastern shore saltmarsh conservation initiative. This fee-simple acquisition presents a tremendous opportunity to expand a key wildlife management area for coastal fish and wildlife, facilitate future inland marsh migration, enhance coastal resiliency, provide new public land for wildlife-related recreation, and, most importantly, restore and improve habitat for many highest-priority species of migratory birds and other wildlife species of greatest conservation need in an area of hemispheric importance. Located between the atlantic ocean and the chesapeake BAY, the delmarva peninsula acts as the funnel through which 7-10 million birds pass each fall during migration. The documented lack of sufficient food and shelter in the virginia portion creates a significant energy deficit for birds attempting to cross the chesapeake BAY and continue southward migration (https: WWW.DEQ.virginia.GOV portals 0 DEQ coastalzonemanagement fundsinitiativesprojects TASK11-01-11.PDF). This parcel provides high-quality habitat for all three atlantic coast joint venture flagship species (american black duck, saltmarsh sparrow, and black rail). DWR ownership will remove the threat of development and potential impounding (currently in permitting) of this property in the future, as well as ensuring the management of the habitats for these critically important species. Additionally. The DWR and partners estimate that improvement of habitat quality on the upland portions of the property could double the food resources available to migratory birds. This project will protect, sustain, and allow the DWR to improve estuarine habitat for many different commercially important fisheries, such as blue crab and striped bass, for which this area is internationally famous. According to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, the commercial seafood industry in maryland and virginia contributed $3.39 billion in sales, $890 million in income, and almost 34,000 jobs to the local economy of these two states (https: sites.google.COM a cornell.EDU chesapeake-BAY-today economic-impacts). Additionally, virginias eastern shore is a desirable but under-utilized destination for outdoor recreation. The inclusion of this acreage to the public land portfolio expands opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and more. Project partners include the nature conservancy, ducks unlimited, and the wildlife foundation of virginia.