Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve

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Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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Mud flat and forest at Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
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Location within Virginia
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Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve (the United States)
Location Mathews County, Virginia
Coordinates 37°24′33″N76°15′8″W / 37.40917°N 76.25222°W / 37.40917; -76.25222 Coordinates: 37°24′33″N76°15′8″W / 37.40917°N 76.25222°W / 37.40917; -76.25222 [1]
Area105 acres (42 ha)
Governing body Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve is a 105-acre (42 ha) Natural Area Preserve located in Mathews County, Virginia, near the Chesapeake Bay. It contains beach, low dune, and salt marsh habitats, and provides a haven for rare marsh and colonial nesting birds, The preserve also protects habitat for two globally rare species, the northeastern beach tiger beetle and sea-beach knotweed. [2]

Contents

The preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and is open to the public; however the preserve is largely undeveloped with the exception of a gravel parking area for visitors. [2]

See also

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References

  1. "Bethel Beach". ProtectedPlanet. United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved December 13, 2016.