The Preserve at Bull Run Mountains's Journal

Journal archives for August 2022

August 5, 2022

Biodiversity Highlight - Series #1: Lucanidae of the Bull Run Mountains - Part Three

Biodiversity Highlight (Series #1: Part Three): Ceruchus piceus (Red-rot Decay Stag Beetle)
Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve


Ceruchus piceus (Red-rot Decay Stag Beetle) - minor ♂ spotted on The Preserve's north section

© Michael Carr (@mjwcarr), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Hello again everyone!

Welcome back to yet another installment exploring the biodiversity of the Bul Run Mountains. This week's mention mark's the final stretch of our deep dive into the Lucanidae of the Bull Run Mountains. Armed with much more intimidating mandibles, a slick, yet stocky build, and an entirely different habitat preference than our previous highlights let's jump into our subject - Ceruchus piceus, or the red-rot decay stag beetle. Like our other Lucanidae, this particular species has the same voracious appetite for decaying wood (at least as a larva). However, this species requires another type of rotting wood from which it gets its common namesake - red rot More on that later though). The red-rot decay stag beetle is another diminutive species of Lucanidae (perhaps tied with Platycerus quercus), only reaching a maximum size of ~18mm (or about the size of a thumbnail). The species occurs relatively commonly across both undisturbed and even urban habitats where suitable deadwood occurs - just check out the locations it has been spotted around NOVA.

Typical of its family, the red-rot decay stag beetles have a geniculate antenna culminating in a multi-antennomere club at the distal end. The elytra of the species are striated, meaning they are marked with long, thin, parallel lines. The specific epithet of the species piceus translates directly to "pitch black" - a pleasantly literal representation of the species. One of three species of Ceruchus, this is the only species of the genus to occur within The Preserve and Virginia as a whole. However, should you come across a similar-looking species in the north or west, the males of this species can be identified by a large "tooth" present along the center of the mandible. Beyond identification and biological notes, this species has been the subject of some interesting scientific studies. Some of which involve the larval form of the organism's capacity to tolerate sub-freezing conditions without extensive use of anti-freeze alcohol, a technique typical of many freeze-tolerate insects. This may be a great topic to explore in a future winter-specific post on insects.


Ceruchus piceus (Red-rot Decay Stag Beetle) ♂ - male specimen observed in Massachusetts

© Tom Murray (@tmurray74), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Wow, look at those chompers! The major males (males that show exceptional development of mandibles and which approach or have reached maximum size) of this species are likely armed with the second largest mandibles relative to the body size of any other Lucanidae in the United States. Interestingly, unlike other species of stag beetles with such large mandibles, the red-rot decay stag beetle does not use its well-endowed appendages to secure the female during the mating process. In good taste, this stag beetle prefers to woo a receptive female by massaging her elytra with his midleg during mounting and mating. This behavior is interesting in that it excludes the function of the mandibles in courtship behavior. With the resource allocation needed for developing such weapons, they are restricted to male-on-male mate competition.

As promised earlier, let's have a brief look at some stag beetle ecology involving deadwood. It is just as important to understand the organism as it is to understand its habitat. In the family Lucanidae the habitat of choice is typically rotting, deadwood materials in forest environments. Many of us are familiar with rotting wood, whether in our own homes or having encountered it in a natural state. However, there are several types of rotting wood that have to provide very different resources to the surrounding habitat. The two main types are brown (or red)rot and white rot. These types of wood rot are determined by a panoply of fungal species associated with each type. Common species include Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail), considered a "white rot" fungus, and Laetiporus sulphureu (Chicken-of-the-woods), considered a "red rot" fungus. These fungi consume different polymers found in dead wood leaving behind materials for which the rot types get their names.

In white rotted wood, the fungal species colonizing the deadwood break down the lignin of the wood, in turn releasing carbon dioxide and water. Once completed this process leaves an abundance of fiber-rich, white-colored cellulose remaining. This process is switched in red-rot-associated fungal species, which breaks down the cellulose of the deadwood and leaves behind the brown-red colored lignin. The brown lignin is also consumed in white rot fungi, but the polymer is "bleached" leaving the materials much lighter in color. The textures of these rot types are also distinct from one another. White rot is typically stringy or soft, highly fibrous, and very easy to pull apart. Red rotted wood tends to produce blocky, harder pieces of processed wood which can be very fractured in appearance.


Ceruchus piceus (Red-rot Decay Stag Beetle) ♀ - female specimen observed in Massachusetts

© Jason M Crockwell (@berkshirenaturalist), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-ND)


The preference of rot types between Lucanidae species has been recorded around the world. There have even been correlations between the size of rotted woody materials and the state of decay playing a role in habitat selection by females for oviposition. Some of this is understood, and much of it isn't specifically known. There are many mysteries and nuances left to be discovered in stag beetles!

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this short article please leave a comment below to help us gauge community impact for our annual summary. Additionally, if you have any questions, comments, or corrections leave them below. While niche, this platform provides a unique opportunity for naturalists and enthusiasts to share their insights and stories regarding the amazing biodiversity that surrounds all of us.

If you are interested in visiting the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area preserve or attending public events, please check the links below for more information.


ABOUT #BullRunMountainsNaturalPreserve
The Bull Run Mountains are the easternmost mountains in Virginia. Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is approximately 2,350 acres that serve as a living laboratory that sits in the backyard of our nation’s capital. The preserve contains 10 different plant community types and a plethora of regionally uncommon and threatened plant and animal species. In 2002, this land was dedicated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a natural area preserve to protect the unique ecosystems found here. As the owner and manager of the preserve, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation is committed to protecting the special ecosystem found here and sharing it with the public through managed access.

Follow us on Social Media!
iNaturalist: VOF-BRMNAP Preserve Manager Joe Villari (@jvillari)
Instagram: @bullrunmountains
Facebook: Virginia Outdoors Foundation (Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve)
Our website: VOF RESERVES: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve
Meetup Events: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve Guided Hikes Group

Posted on August 5, 2022 10:03 PM by mjwcarr mjwcarr | 0 comments | Leave a comment

August 11, 2022

Biodiversity Highlight - Series #1: Lucanidae of the Bull Run Mountains - Part Four

Biodiversity Highlight (Series #1: Part Four): Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle)
Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve


Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle) - ♂ spotted at Bull Run Mountain Estates (adjacent to The Preserve's Northern Property)

© Mark D Swartz (@markdswartz), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Hello again everyone!

Welcome to our fourth and final installment highlighting the Lucanidae of the Bull Run Mountains. I hope you all have enjoyed these articles as much as I have enjoyed writing them. This week's article will highlight the largest and most impressive species of stag beetle in our area. In addition, we will be covering some of the life histories, specifically their larval form. While the family Lucanidae is a personal favorite of mine, we have many more exciting Coleopteran species to explore in upcoming highlights. So let's get started!

Our subject for this week is the reddish-brown stag beetle, Lucanus capreolus. This species of stag beetle is among the largest of the stag beetles in the United States, only falling short of the larger giant stag beetles found in central and southern Virginia. These remarkable stags can be identified easily by their starkly bi-colored femora, chestnut elytra, and the large, sickled-shaped mandibles sported by the males. The species can reach sizes of up to 42mm (or just over 1 1/2 inches) depending on habitat quality. The species is more tolerant of upland, rocky habitats than the closely related giant stag beetle, supporting the probability of the species' presence within the mountainous terrain of The Preserve. This habitat adaptability is apparent when viewing the distribution of the species in the western portions of the state. Here, the species can be seen well within the mountainous habitats of the Blue Ridge and Central Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. Despite some effort from this author, the only observation of the species around the preserve has been on the Eastern slope of the Bull Run Mountain, outside of The Preserve - hopefully, this can be remedied soon by our visitors!

The scientific name of the species, Lucanus capreolus, echos the brain space of its European author - the Swedish Taxonmist Carl Linneaus, who formalized the system of binomial nomenclature. The specific epithet "capreolus" translates directly to "little goat", but derives its meaning from the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). This was due to the resemblance of the male stag beetles' mandibles to the antlers of the deer, which are common across the European continent. This likening to Cervid antlers is common in this Genus of Lucanidae. The Giant stag beetle (Lucanus elpahus), mentioned several times in this series, is named in relation to the European elk, Cervus elaphus. An interesting caveat is that both of these species are named in relation to European species which do not occur within the native range of either American species.


Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle) ♀ - female specimen observed in Virginia

© Michael J. W. Carr (@mjwcarr), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Although males get much of the attention for this family of beetles, due to their well-endowed mandibular assets, the females possess an underappreciated charm. With an incredibly stereotypical beetle-ish form, female stag beetles can be difficult to identify without some nuance know-how. This becomes incredibly useful in the Southern portion of the state where several genera of Lucanuidae become more common and diverse. For this species, there are several main morphological features to pay attention to - size, color, a shape of specific morphological features.

Firstly, when finding a particularly beetle-ly looking beetle, identify it to family level Identification by looking at the antenna: geniculate (elbowed) with a distal club (several slightly flattened antennomeres) are a typical shape for local Lucanidae. Moving closer to identifying your beetle, get to the genus level by using several notes: size - L. capreolus species are between 22-42mm (42mm is the maximum male size),. The difference in size can be tenuous based on the health of the individual beetle during its larval stage. This is best used to rule out the diminutive species of Lucanidae like Platycerus and Ceruchus. Texture can help as well as the genus Lucanus generally has a smooth, almost glossy elytron which distinguishes them from a similar genus Dorcus (which has striated elytra). Regarding color, many of the Licanidae in our area are black in color (Dorcus, Platycerus, Ceruchus), but the rich, mahogany-chestnut color of the reddish-brown stag beetle will certainly set it apart in aesthetic depth. Finally, there is a fine morphological feature to pay attention to if you want to get your identification down to species level, especially for females. A feature known as the labrum, which sits between the mandibles, is notably triangular with a rounded tip. This point of reference is absolutely necessary to look at when determining female Lucanus species apart.

Okay. Now that I've frontloaded all of that information there is an easy, quick identifying feature for identifying the species - their bi-colored femora (as seen in both the male and female specimens pictured in this article). These bright orange femora are distinctive among all North America Lucanidae, so make sure to take ventral pictures of this family if you're still not confident in your identification.


Lucanus capreolus (Reddish-brown Stag Beetle) - Larval specimen observed in Massachusetts

© mistaharris (@mistaharris), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-ND)


If you're a gardener the specimen above may look vaguely familiar. The white grub, technically described as scarabaeiform larvae, is a catch-all for the diverse and convoluted category of larval beetles which can be incredibly difficult to identify without a scope or a keen eye. The Lucanidae larvae fall under this category and can easily be mistaken as garden pests (like the Asian garden beetle, Maladera castanea). This misidentification can be somewhat avoided based on the context in which a white grub is found - among the living roots and soil of a garden a good habitat for stags it is not. As stated throughout this series this family of beetles is saproxylic or requires dead woody materials for their development. As such, this family is typically found within decaying stumps, rotting logs, and scattered soil-submerged branches.

This preference for woody materials can lead to some overlap of natural and artificial environments. The species has remarkably been found to be somewhat flexible in the medium in which they can develop. Railroad ties, landscaping mulch, and compost have all been found to support larval stag beetles. This adaptability to more urban woody resources provides an interesting dichotomy within the literature, which, until recently, has always associated the family with more old-growth landscapes. This is made even more impressive when you consider that the development of larval stag beetles into adults can be as much as three years.

If you do come across a white grub and are curious to tell whether it is a Lucanidae larva, there is a way. Stag beetle grubs have several morphological features that distinguish them from their closely related scarab cousins. This comes in the form of 'C' shaped spiracles, or the darkly colored dots running laterally along the body of the grub. In other scarabaeiform larvae, these are typically complete circles. The head capsule is also considerably larger than other scarab larvae, and armed with darkly colored mandibles that extend somewhat outwardly - what out, they can nibble! Finally, if you are comfortable handling the grab and acting outside of human norms, take a look at its rear-end. The anal aperture of the grub will be 'y'-shaped or longitudinal.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this short article please leave a comment below to help us gauge community impact for our annual summary. Additionally, if you have any questions, comments, or corrections leave them below. While niche, this platform provides a unique opportunity for naturalists and enthusiasts to share their insights and stories regarding the amazing biodiversity that surrounds all of us.

If you are interested in visiting the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area preserve or attending public events, please check the links below for more information.


ABOUT #BullRunMountainsNaturalPreserve
The Bull Run Mountains are the easternmost mountains in Virginia. Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is approximately 2,350 acres that serve as a living laboratory that sits in the backyard of our nation’s capital. The preserve contains 10 different plant community types and a plethora of regionally uncommon and threatened plant and animal species. In 2002, this land was dedicated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a natural area preserve to protect the unique ecosystems found here. As the owner and manager of the preserve, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation is committed to protecting the special ecosystem found here and sharing it with the public through managed access.

Follow us on Social Media!
iNaturalist: VOF-BRMNAP Preserve Manager Joe Villari (@jvillari)
Instagram: @bullrunmountains
Facebook: Virginia Outdoors Foundation (Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve)
Our website: VOF RESERVES: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve
Meetup Events: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve Guided Hikes Group

Posted on August 11, 2022 06:37 PM by mjwcarr mjwcarr | 0 comments | Leave a comment

August 17, 2022

Biodiversity Highlight - Series #2: Passalidae of the Bull Run Mountains

Biodiversity Highlight (Series #2): Horned Passalus Beetle (Odontotaenius disjunctus)
Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve


Odontotaenius disjunctus (Horned Passalus Beetle) - A full life history of the species spotted within a rotting log on the Northern Section of The Preserve
© Michael J. W. Carr, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC); (Larvae [Left], Pupa [Center], Adult [Right])


Hello again everyone,

Last week we completed our first biodiversity highlight series investigating the Lucanidae, or stag beetles found within the Bull Run Mountain Natural Area Preserve. This week we will be starting and completing our second highlight series while focusing on the Passalidae family! Luckily for this author, the Passalidae of our Mountain haven includes only one species - Odontotaenius disjunctus, or the bess beetle. This family deserves an early mention in our biodiversity series as it is one of the most charismatic and ubiquitous "big" beetles present within the Bull Run Mountains and the greater Northern Virginia Area. Odontotaenius disjunctus has many colloquial names including the horned passalus beetle, the patent leather beetle, the Betsy beetles, bess beetle, and even the Jerusalem beetle. Whatever you might call this curious insect, Odontotaenius disjunctus may be the best gateway beetle for the young and old. This can be chalked up to the species' overall docileness, slow movement, reluctance to fly, and charming stridulation. The species can be found throughout our area, including urban areas where decaying wood is available - yup, this week's mention is another saproxylic species (this may be a trend)!

My personal favorite colloquial name for this species is the bess beetle, which I will use for the rest of this article. It's also a ritual of mine to whisper "bess beetles are the best beetles" whenever I turn them up along a nature walk - whether they appreciate the recognition or not, no one will ever know, but I like to think it brings me luck in finding other interesting species while bugging.

The bess beetle is a remarkable model for some uncommon and interesting behavioral traits that are uncommon among Coleoptera. Most notably their colonial habits, their use of bioacoustic communication, and atypical display of brood care. These behaviors are somewhat disputed, but the species demonstrates pseudo-eusocial characteristics which are extraordinary among insects outside of Hymenoptera (think of our local Polistes [paper wasps] species), and Isoptera (termites). This ‘almost’ eusocial behavior can be viewed relatively easily when encountering a colony in the wild. Sprinkled across a thoroughly excavated fallen log you may find tens of beetles clumsily making their way into conspicuous cavities that branch and spread invisibly below the surface. This matrix of tunnels branches and terminates throughout the log supporting the entire lifecycle of the beetles. From egg to adult, the complete metamorphosis of the beetle takes place within the ever more broken down bosom of heartwood until the adults must disperse to find new host wood.


Odontotaenius disjunctus (Horned Passalus Beetle) - A mature and freshly molted adult pair observed in Richmond, Virginia

© Ashley McFad (@ashleymcfad), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


The highlighting of this species so soon in our deep dive into Bull Run Mountains insect biodiversity isn’t without proper planning. As you may have recognized, this species of Coleoptera looks incredibly similar to some of our previously mentioned Lucanidae highlights. With the typical beetle-ish appearance, similar-looking clubbed antenna, and a pair of moderately large mandibles you would not be docked points for confusing the two. The families of Passalidae and Lucanidae are close relatives within the greater taxonomic classification. However, the nuance of coleopteran identification is on full display with our bess beetle. Let’s work through my description above: the typical beetle-ish appearance is actually distinguished by the bess beetles in their elongated form, deeply striated elytra, and shiny, raven-black coloration. This sets it apart from the somewhat similar looking Drocus sp. of Lucanidae. The clubbed antenna can prove to deceive when you aren’t familiar with the great variety of antenatal forms found in Coleoptera. The feature to note is that the bess beetle does not have a geniculate antenna, it doesn’t have an “elbow” and only curves with the intent of the beetle. Finally, those large mandibles, while mildly intimidating, are more robust and toothed in comparison with our local Lucanidae species.

Altogether, the bess beetle is a rather unique-looking beetle when you look more closely. The species does not display notable sexual dimorphism and only varies slightly in size among individuals.


Odontotaenius disjunctus (Horned Passalus Beetle) - Larval specimen observed in Maryland

© Dave (@djgphotographics), some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Does the image above look familiar? If you saw our last post covering the “white grub” form of the Lucanidae it probably does! The bess beetle also has scarabaeiform larvae, but with a twist. In their larval form, the grubs of Lucanidae and Scarabiadae beetles can be difficult to tell apart, however, the larvae of the bess beetle have a unique morphology that can make a quick ID easy. At first glance, you might be able to tell the differences between the two types of larvae. The bess beetle larvae are a bit more elongated in appearance; more extended instead of coiled into themselves. The head of the bess beetle larvae also projects further away from the body than other white grubs. The biggest difference and the one which will help you get a positive ID within The Preserve is the lack of a third pair of developed legs. With only four legs the bess beetle larvae stand apart from its scarabaeiform larvae brethren. Interestingly, that final pair of legs is not absent in the larvae but has reduced into a peg-like form that acts as a sound-making apparatus. It is suspected that the stridulations of the larvae are used in signaling adult bess beetles to indicate hunger. Stridulation is not uncommon in larvae beetles, but its use of it in communication within a colonial setting is.

To take another side track off of the species itself, let’s quickly cover the process in all beetle utilizes to reach their best selves - complete metamorphosis or Holometabolous. Within the insect world, there are several forms of metamorphosis. These include little to no metamorphosis, or Ametabolous, where the insect develops without significant changes in its morphology. In this process of development, the adult form of the insect resembles a larger form of its juvenile shape (most prevalent in primitive insects like springtails and silverfish. Another metamorphic process is partial metamorphosis, or Hemimetabolous, where the life cycle of the insects consists of three developmental stages: egg, nymph, and adult. This process is like that of the cicada or grasshopper, where nymphs look similar to adults but lack wings and fully developed morphology. Finally, the final process of metamorphosis is what the sour bess beetle utilizes as a developmental life strategy - complete metamorphosis. This process is also utilized by Diptera (flies) and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) where the life cycle includes four stages: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. In our banner image for this post, you can see the three life stages beyond the egg which the bess beetle passes through in its life cycle. A remarkable thing to see all at once when observing nature!


Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this short article please leave a comment below to help us gauge community impact for our annual summary. Additionally, if you have any questions, comments, or corrections leave them below. While niche, this platform provides a unique opportunity for naturalists and enthusiasts to share their insights and stories regarding the amazing biodiversity that surrounds all of us.

If you are interested in visiting the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area preserve or attending public events, please check the links below for more information.

ABOUT #BullRunMountainsNaturalPreserve
The Bull Run Mountains are the easternmost mountains in Virginia. Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is approximately 2,350 acres that serve as a living laboratory that sits in the backyard of our nation’s capital. The preserve contains 10 different plant community types and a plethora of regionally uncommon and threatened plant and animal species. In 2002, this land was dedicated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a natural area preserve to protect the unique ecosystems found here. As the owner and manager of the preserve, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation is committed to protecting the special ecosystem found here and sharing it with the public through managed access.

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: @bullrunmountains
Facebook: Virginia Outdoors Foundation (Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve)
Our website: VOF RESERVES: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve
Meetup Events: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve Guided Hikes Group

Posted on August 17, 2022 06:03 PM by mjwcarr mjwcarr | 1 comment | Leave a comment

August 31, 2022

Observation Highlight of the Week: Heterodon platirhinos (Eastern Hognose Snake)

Observational Highlight #14: Heterodon platirhinos (Eastern Hognose Snake)
Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve



© Deneith Reif (@dendrologith), all rights reserved (used with permission)


Hello everyone,

Welcome back to our observational highlight series for The Preserve! This marks our first entry for this series in 2022. Hopefully, this will be the first of many more based on the great observations being made all across the Bull Run Mountains. This year alone, our community has accumulated over 1,800 observations! To keep this section differentiated from the ongoing #biodiversityhighlights, this series will focus on recent notable observations uploaded into the BRMNAP collection project. As our biodiversity series continues we will likely discuss in more detail the biology, morphology, and ecology surrounding some of the observations highlighted here - so stay tuned for weekly content!

This week's highlight with feature two recent observations for the South Section of The Preserve and involve one of the most interesting snakes in Virginia - the Eastern Hognose, Heterodon platirhinos. The most recent observation was uploaded by VOF-BRMNAP Conservation Assistant Deneith Raif (@dendrologith), who managed to capture the characteristic "throat-flaring" behavior that the species demonstrates when threatened. The second observation was uploaded by iNaturalist user @ldf131, whose amazing observation marks only their second contribution here on iNaturalist (keep it up!).

Our native snake species receive a disproportionate amount of negative press, especially in regards to species like the hognose, which are commonly misidentified as the venomous timber rattlesnake, copperhead, and cottonmouth (which do not occur this far North in Virginia). The species also provide a valuable ecological service This is done, in part, by checking native frog and toad populations, which the species almost exclusively predates. The Hognose snake sometimes referred to colloquially as a puff adder, can be found in pine-hardwood-dominated forests, edge habitats, and woodland adjacent fields with associated sandy soil types. Such habitats can be found along the Eastern portion of the green trail. With primary habitat and the high Anuran populations (especially Anaxyrus spp.), the Preserve would seem to be the perfect place for a Hognose to set up residence. However, this being said, this author has yet to observe the species across any area of the Preserve and is more than a bit jealous of the observers.

To determine whether you have spotted a hognose snake at Bull Run, look for the diagnostic upturned rostral scales (up-turned nose), for which the species gets its namesake. The defensive neck flaring behavior can also be a helpful behavior to note, although other species are also capable of this. Colorations and patterns can prove confusing with this species in particular due to the high degree of variation. More detailed information regarding identification and behavior can be found on the Virginia Herpetological Societies website. An example of this variability has been observed here at The Preserve. This individual was spotted last year sporting a more red coloration than our highlighted individuals.

We'll take a further at this species and other Bull Run native snakes in a future #biodiversityhighlight.



© ldf131, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)


Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this short article please leave a comment below to help us gauge community impact for our annual summary. Additionally, if you have any questions, comments, or corrections leave them below. While niche, this platform provides a unique opportunity for naturalists and enthusiasts to share their insights and stories regarding the amazing biodiversity that surrounds all of us.

If you are interested in visiting the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area preserve or attending public events, please check the links below for more information.

ABOUT #BullRunMountainsNaturalPreserve
The Bull Run Mountains are the easternmost mountains in Virginia. Virginia Outdoors Foundation - Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is approximately 2,350 acres that serve as a living laboratory that sits in the backyard of our nation’s capital. The preserve contains 10 different plant community types and a plethora of regionally uncommon and threatened plant and animal species. In 2002, this land was dedicated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a natural area preserve to protect the unique ecosystems found here. As the owner and manager of the preserve, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation is committed to protecting the special ecosystem found here and sharing it with the public through managed access.

Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: @bullrunmountains
Facebook: Virginia Outdoors Foundation (Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve)
Our website: VOF RESERVES: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve
Meetup Events: Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve Guided Hikes Group

Posted on August 31, 2022 01:23 AM by mjwcarr mjwcarr | 0 comments | Leave a comment