Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve

Cape Charles Coastal Habitat
Natural Area Preserve
Map showing the location of Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve
Map showing the location of Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve
Map showing the location of Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve
Map showing the location of Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve
LocationNorthampton County, Virginia
Coordinates37°15′17″N 76°1′10″W / 37.25472°N 76.01944°W / 37.25472; -76.01944
Area50 acres (20 ha)
Governing bodyVirginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve is a 50-acre (20 ha) Natural Area Preserve located in Northampton County, Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay side of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The small preserve protects coastal beach, dune, and maritime forest habitat, preserving a home for the northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis), listed as threatened in the United States. Coast bedstraw (Galium hispidulum) grows on the dunes. The preserve serves as a staging area for southward-bound migratory birds in the fall.[1]

Cape Charles Coastal Habitat Natural Area Preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and is open to public. Public access is limited to a boardwalk that facilitates viewing the preserve; access to the beach is allowed only for research and management purposes.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved February 18, 2024.