Rationale For This Blog

The impetus for starting this blog is to report on the simultaneous investigation, documentation, and analysis of a biodiversity project for the Biodiversity Stewardship course at Virginia Tech during the summer of 2024. 

The study area I've chosen is the Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary. The roughly 7-acre sanctuary is located in the West Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia and is bordered by the Elizabeth River Trail recreation path and Norfolk Southern's Lamberts Point Railyard.

My wife and I pass this sanctuary regularly when walking around the neighborhood, but we have have hardly been inside as dogs aren't allowed on the grounds and we typically have ours with us. I'm very curious to explore the area and learn more about the species that inhabit it. Even though it is small in size, the sanctuary contains both temperate forest and wetland ecosystems.

A long term goal of mine is to increase protected lands in the Hampton Roads region. I believe if the Weyanoke Sanctuary was studied in depth, results would indicate significant biodiversity in the space. This could provide additional proof to state & local governments, community organizations, citizens, and grant-awarding groups, that our area possesses extensive biodiversity and that it deserves our protection.

 

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