Dragon Run acreage protected

Virginia and The Nature Conservancy have purchased 4,188 acres of land within the wild Dragon Run watershed from the Hancock Timber Resource Group, according to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

The purchase brings the total land conservation under Kaine to 335,000 acres. His goal is to preserve 400,000 acres during his term.

"The purchase of this property will add significantly to our protected state forest land," Kaine said. "It will also ensure that this ecologically important land will never be developed and will be enjoyed by Virginians for generations."

Virginia's investment comes through a Virginia Public Building Authority bond for public land acquisition approved by the General Assembly in 2008.

A statement from Kaine's office says the state will use these bond funds to protect large tracts of important conservation lands at several key sites across the state. All of the acreage acquired with bond funds will provide recreational opportunities to the public.

Kaine's office says the Smithsonian Institution has dubbed Dragon Run the "second most ecologically important watershed in the Chesapeake Bay."

Dragon Run includes the northern-most tidal cypress swamp community on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Ninety bird species, such as bald eagles and prothonotary warblers, are found in the area, between Richmond and the Rappahannock River, along with 55 species of fish. -- Andrew Cain