Property Visits

​A monitor is assigned to each FODR property.  These volunteers visit the property approximately four times a year.  They look for damage and hazards, unusual or rare plants as well as invasive species, condition of the trails and property boundaries, and work that needs to be done. The monitors report any work they did during their visit.  A property report is submitted to the Property Manager, Dave Milby.

​This spring, property monitors and Board members visited three properties as a group and will visit all properties by the end of the year. 
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​Kostyal (February 27) is a 25-acre property donated to us in 2021 by the Kostyal family.  It is located in Mathews County, features wooded terrain and a saltwater pond which empties into Godfrey Bay on the Piankatank River. Visitors discussed possible uses for the property, such as for youth educational programs.  There is a significant amount of trash accumulated over the years in one area of the property.  FODR volunteers returned the following Friday to clean it up; however, it is deeper and larger than we realized, and we are considering hiring a company to dig it out and remove it. Anne Ducey-Ortiz, Molly Broderson, and Don Chandler are the monitors.

Wares Bridge (March 6) is a 65-acre property located in Middlesex County.  There are also two 5-acre parcels on the opposite side of Route 602.  The property has been well cared for by the property monitor, Tom Cramer.  A put-in area to the Dragon is on the side opposite our property.  ​​

Powcan (March 26) is a 32-acre property in Essex County where the headwaters to the Dragon originate.  It is a wooded terrain bisected by the initial flow from the Dragon.  The property features a long beaver dam which creates a sizable pond. Few visits have been made to the property over the years; however, visitors discussed possible hiking and educational uses for the property in the future. Anne Atkins and Andrea Mittman are the monitors.