Virginia creates new natural area preserve to protect rare millipede species found only in Montgomery County
Blacksburg, Virginia – The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced the creation of a new natural area preserve in Montgomery County. The newly designated preserve, called Eastern Divide, is the 68th addition to Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve system and covers nearly 34 acres near the growing region outside of Blacksburg.
Protecting a Species Found Nowhere Else on Earth
The Eastern Divide preserve was created specifically to protect the Ellett Valley millipede (Pseudotremia cavernarum), a cave-dwelling species once thought to be extinct. The discovery of the millipede on private land rekindled interest in safeguarding its fragile habitat. According to DCR’s karst protection coordinator, Wil Orndorff, “subsequent efforts to find the millipede in the Blacksburg area showed that the range of the species is extremely limited: about 10 square miles between the Eastern Continental Divide in Blacksburg and the North Fork of the Roanoke River.”
This tiny range makes the Ellett Valley millipede especially vulnerable to habitat loss and development. The preserve’s creation provides the highest level of legal protection against activities that could threaten its survival. The site’s forested karst landscape not only shelters this millipede but also supports a variety of native plant life, bats, and other cave-dwelling species. Additionally, the protected land helps maintain water quality in the headwaters of the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
A Partnership Rooted in Conservation
The land for the preserve consists of two separate tracts acquired with the support of a grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, initially awarded in 2022. Key to this effort was the cooperation of the previous landowners, one of whom discovered the millipede on his own property.
“We are deeply grateful to the previous landowners whose partnership with DCR made this project possible and helped prevent the extinction of a species found nowhere else on Earth but here in Virginia,” said Lesley Starke, chief of natural areas stewardship for Natural Heritage.
Looking Ahead at Habitat Expansion
The Eastern Divide preserve is surrounded by private land and is currently closed to public access. However, DCR has expressed plans to expand the preserve over time. The long-term goal is to acquire additional parcels that would protect more of the species’ habitat and create a larger, interconnected preserve to support both the millipede and other sensitive cave ecosystems.
DCR encourages local cave owners interested in learning whether the millipede may live on their land to contact their cave and karst team for further information.
Although most natural area preserves in Virginia prioritize species and ecosystem conservation over recreation, more than 20 preserves across the state do offer public access for low-impact activities like hiking and wildlife viewing.
The establishment of the Eastern Divide natural area preserve marks another step in Virginia’s ongoing commitment to conserving its rich and often hidden biodiversity. Through collaborative efforts between landowners, conservationists, and state agencies, the future of rare species like the Ellett Valley millipede is looking a little brighter.
