TNC works with partners such as FODR, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and others to protect significant habitats and natural areas. So far they have helped protect 5,600 acres in the area including the Bulman and Revere Tracts which FODR is in the process of acquiring.

The Dragon Run is connected to the Piankatank River as a Coastal Plain freshwater system. Threats to this system include development, incompatible forestry practices, and invasive plants and fish. TNC’s primary goal is to restore the old growth core, a mixed forest of about 15,000 acres, then to protect working forests as a buffer to the old growth forest, the Dragon Run stream and the bald cypress forest.

The strategic planning for this effort was done though a forest matrix block analysis. The Dragon Run small watershed analysis looked at natural heritage resources, forest cover, interior forest cover (habitat and fragmentation) and riparian habitat (buffer). Watershed priorities were established using the matrix of land uses – which properties meet the goals of protection. Andy showed slides demonstrating the evaluation of habitat types and priorities using this matrix.

In addition to protecting the old growth core and surrounding areas, TNC also wants to focus on connecting existing protected lands to create corridors, forest blocks and bald cypress communities.

In response to a question from the audience, Andy noted that TNC has only focused their efforts here in the past five years but has a long term investment in this area. TNC, along with the World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International have set a goal to preserve 10% of the world’s habitat by 2015. The Dragon Run is one of the best examples of preservation efforts. -