BLM-Eastern States commemorates partnership and unveils new field station in ceremony at Meadowood SRMA
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FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management Eastern States held a ceremony commemorating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chesapeake Conservancy, and officially opening the new Lower Potomac Field Station Office at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton.
“Partnerships are vital to sustain public lands,” said Mitchell Leverette, BLM Eastern States State Director. “We are thrilled that we were able to meet here today to unveil our new building and sign the MOU with the Chesapeake Conservancy, signifying our commitment to continue working together for our shared stakeholders.”
The MOU establishes a general framework for cooperation between the BLM and the Chesapeake Conservancy. Roles and responsibilities between both parties are clearly defined to preserve, interpret, and enhance the enjoyment of the Chesapeake Bay area.
The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area is an 800-acre mosaic of meadows, hardwood forests, freshwater ponds, and riparian acres that support rich and diverse communities of native flora and fauna. The BLM began its efforts in acquiring the Meadowood SRMA in the late 1990s and obtained property ownership in 2001. The LPFS staff is integral to the success of projects, events, programs, and activities conducted at the SRMA.
Prior to the construction of the new field station building, BLM staff utilized three existing structures that were acquired in the early 2000s. All were marginally functional as office spaces and expensive to maintain. The LPFS staff now operates in a central and modernized building space, enhancing its ability to serve the public.
“We are excited to build on the partnership we have enjoyed with the Bureau of Land Management for several years, beginning with the successful Rivers of the Chesapeake Land and Water Conservation Fund Collaborative Landscapes Initiative, that resulted in the expansion of Meadowood by 14 acres,” said Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn. "We found then that our organizations have much in common when it comes to conserving land, providing recreational and educational opportunities, and enhancing environmental stewardship within the Chesapeake. The Memorandum of Understanding that we signed today memorializes our pledge to bolster and sustain our partnership.”
For more information on the Meadowood Special Recreation Area and the Lower Potomac Field Station, visit: www.blm.gov/visit/meadowood-special-recreation-management-area.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.