Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the newest of three refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Established in 1996, the goal of the Refuge is to protect 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the River and its major tributaries. As of April 2003, the Refuge had protected 5,306 acres. With help from our conservation partners, including Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and The Trust for Public Land, we have reached over 25% of our goal.

At least six federally-listed threatened or endangered species may be found within the Refuge boundary, including the American bald eagle, peregrine falcon, shortnose sturgeon, small whorled pogonia, sensitive joint vetch, and swamp pink. Two of these, the bald eagle (nesting sites and roosting concentration areas) and sensitive joint vetch, are found on Refuge property. The state's largest wintering roost for bald eagles is located within the Refuge boundary.

Shorebirds, neotropical migrant songbirds, raptors, and marsh birds rely on the Rappahannock River's corridors during the spring and fall migration periods. The Refuge, its partners and volunteers are restoring native grasslands and riparian forests along the River and tributary streams to provide additional habitat for these species. Focal species/species groups for management include bald eagle, forest interior dwelling species (such as wood thrush and Acadian flycatcher), and grassland nesting birds (such as grasshopper sparrow and northern bobwhite).

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