The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is thrilled to announce a significant expansion of the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, thanks to a generous gift from the Sacharuna Foundation. This gift, recorded in the Fauquier County Circuit Court Clerk’s land records on June 3rd, marks a pivotal moment in the six-decade effort to protect this irreplaceable natural and cultural landscape.
These four newly acquired parcels will be integrated into the existing Preserve, a 2,350-acre sanctuary owned and managed by VOF in accordance with deed restrictions and a management plan developed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH). Recognized for its exceptional resources, the landholding was dedicated in 2002 and incorporated into the State Preserve system established to protect rare natural communities and habitats.
Straddling the border of Fauquier and Prince William counties, the Preserve serves as a living laboratory and open-air museum in close proximity to the nation’s capital. The Preserve is home to the headwaters of both Broad Run and Little River, crucial tributaries of the Occoquan and Potomac rivers, and supports ten distinct plant community types alongside a rich array of regionally uncommon and threatened flora and fauna. Beyond its ecological value, the land safeguards numerous culturally significant historical sites, offering a window into the mountains’ diverse past.
The addition of these 178 acres significantly strengthens the contiguous forest protection along the ridges and slopes of the Bull Run Mountains. This conservation work, begun in the 1960s by the Natural Areas Council with donations from Alice Mills and the Currier family and added to over the years by other donors and organizations, recognizes the Bull Run Mountains as an essential “green belt” and wildlife corridor in a rapidly developing region. The effort to complete the Preserve is still ongoing; VOF continues to work with interested landowners and seeks opportunities to add key parcels to both north and south sections of the Preserve, and to link the two.
The south section of the Preserve features a trail system with over seven miles of trails open to general public access for hiking and nature observation. The newly acquired parcels are located in areas not open for general public use but can be accessed for scientific research and educational purposes by permit or guided VOF events.
This donation is particularly notable as it includes the homestead site of “Jack” Dawson, well known locally as the last true mountain man. His great-great grandparents lived in the south section of the Preserve in the 1850s and migrated over generations to live in what is now the north section of the Preserve. The gift also includes the iconic quartzite white rock outcrop visible from the steps of the County Courthouse in Warrenton, I-66 and much of the surrounding countryside. The landmark, known as High Point, is a particularly fragile sensitive area closely monitored by VOF and DCR-DNH staff to protect it from foot traffic which threatens species such as the eastern timber rattlesnake, bobcat, pale corydalis, and table-mountain pine.
There are many opportunities for engagement at the Preserve. For public hiking, visitors can explore the trails in the south section open year-round during daylight hours Friday – Sunday. In addition, VOF conducts numerous guided hikes, educational events, and provides facilitated access to the North Section, Jackson Hollow, and other “off trail” areas. Those interested in visiting the Preserve, please see https://www.vof.org/protect/reserves/bull-run-mountains/
Additional links:
Bull Run Mountains NAP Facebook Page
