Parkers Marsh Natural Area Preserve

Parkers Marsh Natural Area Preserve is a 759-acre protected area in Accomack County, Virginia, situated along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The landscape features open beaches, low and high marshes, dense shrubland, and forest patches that create a varied ecosystem.

The preserve has served as a nesting site for peregrine falcons since 1998, supporting the species' recovery in the region. This breeding population marks a turning point in conservation efforts for the bird.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation manages this preserve as part of Virginia's commitment to protecting natural heritage and wildlife habitats.

Boat access is the only way to reach this preserve, and visitors must contact the state land steward ahead of their visit. Plan your trip in advance and confirm conditions before departing.

The beach strand shelters a protected population of northeastern beach tiger beetles, which dig vertical burrows in the intertidal zone. These rare insects are key to the local food web.