Virginia Security Corridor Sentinel Landscapes Designated

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is thrilled to announce the designation of the Virginia Security Corridor Sentinel Landscapes, which encompass the Potomac and Tidewater Sentinel Landscapes.  These designations are the result of five years of unwavering collaboration and dedication demonstrated by ambitious and committed partners within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Spanning over 2.9 million acres of land and water in Virginia's "Golden Crescent," the Virginia Security Corridor is a region characterized by high military concentration, population growth, urban sprawl, and a thriving technology industry.  It is also home to some of Virginia’s most abundant natural resources, including intact forests, open and agricultural lands, as well as intricate marsh and riverine systems that connect to the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary. There is overlap between the new Sentinel Landscape and the northern extent of the historic longleaf range in Virginia, the Local Implementation Team working area, and several “Priority Longleaf Areas” in the state.

The Potomac Sentinel Landscape, anchored by Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the Tidewater Sentinel Landscape, anchored by Joint Base Langley Eustis, aim to address three critical lines of effort.  First, they seek to prevent encroachment on military testing and training activities while simultaneously supporting Virginia's working lands.  Second, they aim to build resilience against climate-induced hazards, recognizing the increasing threats posed by factors such as sea-level rise and wetland migration.  Finally, they strive to conserve and restore key habitats, thus benefiting water quality and protected species.  These new sentinel landscapes will also provide a connection between the Middle Chesapeake and Eastern North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes, enabling coordination of opportunities at a regional scale.

"The designation of the Potomac and Tidewater Sentinel Landscapes in the Virginia Security Corridor is a unique opportunity for the Department to strengthen military readiness while also supporting climate resilience and conservation," stated Mr. Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Energy, Installations, and Environment.  "The work of the partners in these new sentinel landscapes will preserve working lands, combat biodiversity decline, safeguard habitats and protect water quality.  All of these important outcomes will be achieved while simultaneously addressing the encroachment challenges confronting the 10 military installations in the Virginia Security Corridor."

For more information about the Virginia Security Corridor Sentinel Landscapes, please visit https://sentinellandscapes.org/landscapes/virginia-security-corridor/.  

Please note that this designation is separate from the 2024 Sentinel Landscape Designation Cycle, which is currently underway.  If you have any questions regarding the 2024 Designation Cycle, please visit https://sentinellandscapes.org/apply-now/ or contact FCC@sentinellandscapes.org.

To learn more about the 11 other sentinel landscapes, please visit the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership website at https://sentinellandscapes.org/.

Archive