Pedlar Hills Natural Area Preserve, Natural Area Preserve in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States.
Pedlar Hills Natural Area Preserve is a protected site in Virginia that spans 1,177 acres and rises above the South Fork of the Roanoke River. The land features a mosaic of scrubby woodland with stunted hardwoods and cedars alongside open grassland, all shaped by its distinctive dolomite barren substrate.
The preserve was established in the late 1980s as part of Virginia's Natural Area Preserves System, created to protect significant natural sites. This designation was part of a broader effort to safeguard the state's ecologically sensitive regions.
The preserve harbors uncommon plants adapted to the demanding dolomite barren environment. Visitors can observe these specialized species thriving in their natural setting, where harsh conditions have shaped their growth.
Access requires advance coordination with a state land steward, as the site has no public facilities or marked trails. Visitors should prepare for unmarked terrain and bring appropriate supplies.
The site contains a specialized dolomite barren habitat with rare plants including Addison's leatherflower and tall gay-feather. This ecological niche attracts researchers interested in studying this fragile environment.
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