💡Member CE: Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve Walk with A.L.L.

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve
Instructor: Rose-Marie Roessler (Rosemarie.a.roessler@gmail.com)

This 298-acre preserve contains outstanding Chesapeake Bay beach, dune, and maritime forest communities, migratory songbird habitat, and the largest population of the globally rare federally protected northeastern beach tiger beetles (Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsailis). The adults are active along the intertidal zone (the area between high and low tide) during the day and rest under the sand along the back beach at night. The larvae inhabit vertical burrows within the intertidal zone, capturing food items washed ashore by waves. For this reason, sand disturbance (digging) by visitors or their dogs is not permitted. We will take a guided hike out to the shore and back, approximately 1 mile total.

• One session: Monday, May 5, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Rain date: Tuesday, May 6, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
• Location: 2141 Savage Neck Rd., Cape Charles
• Materials included with registration at no additional charge:
  • parking available at Preserve entrance
  • VDCR staff will be on site and have an AED and First Aid Kit for emergency response
• Materials to be supplied by student:
  • breathable hiking gear
  • insect repellant
  • drinking water
  • any special medical needs (EpiPen, insulin, etc.)
  • binoculars or scope for bird viewing
• Additional fees: none
• Notes:
  • Nature walk will begin at the Preserve parking area located at the entrance to the Preserve.
  • Participants need to be able to walk about 2 miles and should wear appropriate footwear (closed toe recommended) to do so.
  • There are no restroom facilities at the Preserve.
• Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 12

Rose-Marie Roessler has been a Master Naturalist since 2021 and has been the stewardship chair at Savage Neck Dunes for about one year.