Dragon Flats Preserve, a 495-acre property in Middlesex County, recently was transferred from The Nature Conservancy to the Friends of Dragon Run.
A dedication ceremony was conducted Sept. 9 to mark the transfer and celebrate decades of collaboration in preserving one of Virginia’s most ecologically significant landscapes, reported FODR Communications Director Jack Kauffman.
Dragon Flats lies along the Dragon Run, a 39-mile blackwater river and swamp system known for its bald cypress and black tupelo trees. Flowing from Essex County to the Piankatank River, the Dragon Run forms the border between King & Queen and Middlesex counties.
“This is a gift rooted in science, stewardship and trust,” said Bettina Ring, TNC Virginia state director. “In a Smithsonian study funded by TNC in the 1970s, Dragon Run was ranked first in Virginia and second in the entire watershed for its biodiversity. That ranking inspired decades of investment and protection efforts. We are thrilled that the Friends of the Dragon Run (FODR) will maintain the legacy of this property and foster environmental awareness through their outdoor education programs.”
“We couldn’t protect the Dragon alone,” said Jeff Wright, FODR president. “TNC has been a vital partner, and this transfer is a testament to our shared mission.”
The property features more than a mile of frontage on the Dragon Run and a mix of wetlands, forests and grasslands. It will be used this fall as the launch site for FODR’s paddle season.
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