Press Release

Governor Northam Opens Expansion of Virginia’s Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area

Virginia has conserved nearly 130,000 acres in four years under Governor Northam

Richmond, VA — Governor Ralph Northam, along with the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Partners, dedicated and opened lands that more than double the size of the Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area.  The 660 acres of woodlands in Accomack County, VA, and an additional 550 acres located in 10 parcels throughout the county, are part of a larger Eastern Shore Forest Conservation Initiative launched in 2018.

“During my term, land protection has been a priority, and I’m proud that we have conserved nearly 130,000 acres that everyone will be able to enjoy,” said Governor Northam. “The Doe Creek project is one of the most significant conservation efforts ever attempted on the Eastern Shore–providing public access to more than 8,000 acres, and providing habitat for wildlife, supporting the ecosystem, improving water quality, and protecting rare species. Virginia’s wildlife management areas provide vital benefits for our environment, and I’m glad to see a project of this scale to conserve land happening on the Shore.”

“The Eastern Shore Forest Conservation Initiative, including this expansion of the Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area, is an outstanding example of collaboration between the Commonwealth, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and numerous non-governmental partners,” said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Ann Jennings.  “It provides high priority habitat in a part of Virginia with hemispheric importance to migratory birds, significantly increasing food resources and resting areas available to the birds and many other wildlife.”

“We are excited not only about the habitat value of this new property, but also about our opportunity to provide new access to the public for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other compatible activities,” said Department of Wildlife Resources Executive Director Ryan Brown.  “The Eastern Shore has long been an outdoor recreation destination, and we expect this new public land to be an economic driver for eco-tourism in the region.

“Today’s celebration marks a significant milestone in a conservation effort that dates back to 2000, when The Conservation Fund acquired 76,000 acres from Chesapeake Forest Products in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware,” said Heather Richards, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for The Conservation Fund. “Here in Virginia and across the country, forested landscapes are being sold by investor groups, and the Fund is able to step in and buy time for long-term conservation solutions. Forest habitats on the peninsula play an important role in supporting water quality, recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat like for migrating songbirds and waterfowl and for the Delmarva fox squirrel. We’re honored to continue our work with the State to secure key lands for environmental and economic benefits.”

To acquire the forestland from The Conservation Fund, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources leveraged federal, state, and private funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Act grant program, Wildlife Restoration Program, and North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant program; Virginia Land Conservation Foundation; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America Program; The Nature Conservancy; Ducks Unlimited; The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia; Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Fund; Nongame Fund; Virginia Outdoors Foundation; and private individuals.

During Governor Northam’s administration, Virginia has permanently conserved nearly 130,000 acres of land with high conservation value and awarded more than $21.5 million in land conservation funding and grants through the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.  In addition to the Eastern Shore Forest Conservation Initiative, more than 6,000 acres have been added to the state’s Wildlife Management Area system, including Mattaponi Bluffs and Tye River.  Virginia’s Wildlife Management Area system includes more than 225,000 acres and conserves a tremendous diversity of habitats across the Commonwealth. In addition to the numerous land conservation successes, under Governor Northam, Virginia crafted a plan to save the Commonwealth’s largest migratory seabird colony during the expansion of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and put into place some of the strongest migratory bird protections in the country.

For more information on Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wma/doe-creek.