FODR member, Louise Friday, has suggested the idea that a question relating to the Dragon could be posed in each newsletter, a question that would be submitted by a reader and answered by a person qualified to do so. “Thanks,” Louise, and here goes your first question.

Closing on a new piece of real estate begins years of stewardship for Friends of Dragon Run. When we acquire a preserve, we have agreed to manage the land indefinitely in a manner which protects the Dragon Run and its watershed.

Among the first activities, after taking ownership, are marking boundaries with FODR signs, installing gates where necessary and conducting an inventory of the features of the property. Property boundaries should be walked and checked at least annually.

Next we will make decisions as to how to best manage the property and develop a written plan to reflect those decisions. Management plans can be written by FODR members, or as in the case of the Powcan and Ware Bridge properties, we have contracted with Virginia Department of Forestry to write the plan. Our lands are heavily forested. Therefore, forest management is an important part of our planning, but we also emphasize water quality protection, non game wildlife habitat enhancement, and protecting the scenic values on the land. Revere and Bulman tracts, contain large pine plantations which present the opportunity to manage for future harvest.

Other activities include negotiating and overseeing hunting leases where appropriate, installing and maintaining nesting boxes, trail construction and maintenance, and flora and fauna surveys.

Most of these tasks are completed using volunteers from FODR’s membership, which goes a long way toward keeping our recurring expenses reasonable. Our major expenses for our properties are real estate taxes and liability insurance.

We always need help with property management. If you can assist, please contact Tom Gregory (804) 462- 5608 or DragonSwamp2@wmconnect.com.

If you have a question for a future issue of Dragon Tales, use the same contact information to reach us. -