New York to Alabama

Virginia's northern Piedmont is part of a larger geographic region extending from New York to Alabama-an ecologically dynamic swath of land between the mountains and the coast that offers exceptional opportunities for a great diversity of life. The Appalachian mountain range on its western edge contains some of the richest biodiversity on the planet, outside of tropical rainforests.

Many animal species in the Piedmont have experienced a remarkable comeback. One hundred years ago, intensive market hunting along with widespread subsistence hunting had left the Piedmont region nearly barren of larger wild animals. Since then, successful efforts to conserve habitat and restore lost species have resulted in such striking revitalization of species including black bear, whitetail deer, turkey, foxes and beavers that it can be easy to forget that just decades ago many of these animals were scarce. Bald eagles are among the varieties of birds that have begun to thrive again in this area, after the decision a generation ago to cease using the destructive chemical DDT.

While many species in this region still face serious challenges including the transformation of the Piedmont's native forests, fragmentation of their habitat, disruptive pollution and competition from invasive species, the resurgence of so many kinds of animals can encourage our efforts to conserve species whose existence in this area is currently threatened.