Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve

Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve is a 1,440-acre (5.8 km2) Natural Area Preserve located in Franklin County, Virginia, just to the west of the town of Rocky Mount. The site is composed of rocky slopes with various hardwood species and patches of Virginia pine. Shallow basic soils, typified by heavy clay, are found among bedrock outcrops rich in magnesium. Rare woodland communities live upon these substrates, and numerous rare plants may be found within grassy forest clearings near the summit. Evidence at the preserve suggests that the majority of the site was once more open, and may have historically been maintained through a natural fire regime that has been suppressed during modern times.[2]

Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
LocationFranklin County, Virginia
Nearest cityRocky Mount, Virginia
Coordinates37°00′22″N 79°55′12″W[1]
Area1,440 acres (5.8 km2)
Governing bodyVirginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

The preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and is open to the public. Public facilities at the preserve include 6.6 miles (10.6 km) of hiking trails, educational signs, parking, and a kiosk.[2]

See also

References

  1. "Grassy Hill". ProtectedPlanet. United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  2. "Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved December 19, 2016.


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