Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve expands by nearly one thousand acres to protect rare species and enhance outdoor access
Floyd, Virginia – In a major conservation milestone for the New River region, the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve in Floyd County has been expanded by 975 acres, significantly increasing its capacity to protect rare wildlife and offer breathtaking outdoor experiences. With this addition, the total size of the preserve now reaches 2,121 acres.
Partnership Secures Rare Habitat and Public Access
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), working in partnership with The Conservation Fund, successfully acquired land surrounding three sides of the existing preserve. This move not only protects the area’s unique biodiversity but also improves public access and recreation opportunities for the thousands who visit each year.
“Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve holds tremendous ecological and cultural significance, and provides a fantastic outdoor recreation experience,” said DCR Acting Director Andrew Smith. “We thank The Conservation Fund for continuing to work with us so that more visitors can enjoy this special part of the New River region.”
Buffalo Mountain is renowned for its 360-degree panoramic views and its unique ecological significance. Every year, approximately 15,000 people visit the preserve, which is overseen by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program at DCR.
“Buffalo Mountain is one of Virginia’s true natural treasures — home to rare species found nowhere else on Earth and offering unforgettable views along the Blue Ridge,” said Heather Richards, vice president for the mid-Atlantic region and Virginia director at The Conservation Fund. “We’re proud to partner with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to ensure this special place is protected and accessible for generations to come. This expansion is just the first step, and together we look forward to more than doubling the public lands available in Floyd County in the years ahead.”
A Sanctuary for Rare Flora and Fauna
The expansion strengthens protections for 18 rare species that inhabit the preserve’s forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Notably, at the preserve’s 3,971-foot summit, two plant species — three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata) and mountain sandwort (Minuartia groenlandica) — thrive in the cool, treeless environment. These low-growing perennials with white flowers are more commonly found much farther north, making their presence in Virginia a rare ecological phenomenon.
Unprecedented State Support for Conservation
This expansion was made possible through historic financial support. In November 2023, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded $3.6 million to DCR for the project — the largest grant ever issued in the program’s 26-year history. Further support came in 2024, when the Virginia General Assembly approved $750,000 to aid in protecting and expanding the preserve.
With growing recognition of the preserve’s ecological and recreational value, this expansion represents a vital step toward safeguarding one of Virginia’s most irreplaceable landscapes — now and for generations to come.
