Friends of Stafford CreeksNonprofit organization of volunteer citizen scientists monitoring water quality, advocating sustainable land use policies and watershed protection, and promoting education and stewardship of aquatic and wildlife resources in Stafford County Virginia's Potomac River tributaries.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patricia Kurpiel
May 1, 2008 540 657 6674
Friends of Stafford Creeks will celebrate the protection of part of the Crow’s Nest Peninsula with Governor Kaine on Thursday, May 1st. Almost 3,000 acres of the peninsula will be acquired in two increments: 1770 acres was purchased on April 18th and an option on 1,167 acres must close before December 31, 2009.
Efforts to protect the property have been on going for many years. Rare plant communities exist on the property, as well as valuable cultural resources. This is a photo of one native orchid found on Crow’s Nest.
Water quality monitors from Friends of Stafford Creeks check creek vitals at 3 sites surrounding Crow’s Nest. Additionally, members survey the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) present in Accokeek Creek. SAV is one of the 12 indicators of Bay tributary health. Grasses provide protection, nursery habitat and food for a broad range of aquatic organisms, contribute to the oxygenation of the water, and filter excess nutrients. Preservation of the peninsula will help ensure that Accokeek and Potomac Creeks remain vital major functioning tributaries of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
At the Crow’s Nest celebration, Patricia Kurpiel, the founder of Friends of Stafford Creeks said, “This land conservation is an investment that produces important economic benefits as well as protecting water quality, cultural resources, and rare natural communities. I look forward to the day the entire peninsula is safe from development and is in conservation hands.”