Public recreational land located in a state park along the Potomac River in southern Fairfax County, Va., will gain additional wetland habitat thanks to a $25,000 grant from Dominion Resources. Ducks Unlimited is scheduled to complete the restoration project this summer.
"Dominion commends Ducks Unlimited, Inc., for the excellent work they do. We are pleased to be a part of this important effort to preserve the wetlands area at the Mason Neck State Park and help waterfowl re-establish their natural habitat," said Virginia M. Board, president of The Dominion Foundation. "We hope that our support today will create enjoyment and learning opportunities for the next generation of nature lovers."
The project at Mason Neck State Park will restore approximately 1.5 acres of wetland habitat from a prior converted agricultural field. The sculpted terrain will naturally catch runoff from the surrounding watershed and increase filtration before entering the Potomac River. In addition to water quality improvements, the restoration project will be maintained as a seasonally flooded emergent wetland which provides habitat for many species of waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife.
"Mason Neck State Park is a wonderful resource for the community, and also provides habitat for many species of wildlife, including bald eagles, tundra swans and many species of migratory waterfowl," Ben Lewis, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist, said. "The support we've received from Dominion Resources has been an important addition to the existing partnerships and will ensure this project is completed."
Additional partners in this project include Mason Neck State Park, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.