PRINCE WILLIAM CONSERVATION Information

The Prince William Conservation Alliance has been a leader for more than five years in establishing higher goals for parks and natural open space in Prince William County. "Acquiring this property is an important part of our efforts to preserve a network of high quality, natural open space," says Kim Hosen, Prince William Conservation Alliance's Executive Director. Charlie Grymes, Prince William Conservation Alliance's Board Chairman, emphasizes the Alliance 's commitment to land conservation, saying "This creates momentum for future parks and open space projects. We need this sort of public and private involvement for effective conservation partnerships, to make sure we have spaces open to the public." The partnership to create the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area would include the U.S. Marine Corps purchase of an easement to buffer Quantico Marine Base from the development of inappropriate land uses at their borders. The Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area will be owned by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and managed to promote wildlife diversity. According to Carlton Courter, VDGIF Executive Director, "Merrimac Farm provides us with an exceptional opportunity to protect wildlife diversity and provide important outdoor recreational services to Northern Virginia residents." Nokesville resident Liz Cronauer is excited about future programs planned for the Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area. "I'm especially excited about having a site that would allow more local groups and schools to take advantage of the Prince William Conservation Alliance's youth education programs." The Prince William Conservation Alliance and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will host a public tour of Merrimac Farm on Saturday, June 23, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To schedule a presentation on Merrimac Farm or a private tour for your organization, please call us at 703.499.4954 or email us at alliance@pwconserve.org. Read the Potomac News Article, Merrimac Farm Gets Grant, and the ...