Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve

Chestnut Creek Wetlands Natural Area Preserve is a 244-acre protected site in Floyd County featuring spring-fed wetlands, sedge meadows, and northern hardwood forests with beech, birch, and maple trees. The landscape consists mainly of grasses and sedges with scattered woody plants, creating an open terrain dominated by low vegetation.

The land was originally used for farming before being acquired through a voter-approved state bond and a recovery grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This funding allowed the conversion of agricultural land into a protected natural preserve.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation manages this IUCN category IV habitat, focusing on protecting regional wildlife species and native plant communities.

The preserve has no marked trails or public facilities, so visitors must contact a state land steward in advance to arrange access. Wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing since the terrain is wet and can be muddy underfoot.

The preserve supports several rare species that thrive in this wet environment of sedges and grasses, making it a refuge for specialized wildlife. Conservation efforts focus on protecting these distinctive habitats and native plant communities that are scarce elsewhere in the region.