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Virginia is a very lucky state to have so much variety in the water bodies it has.
Farmville is lucky to have Wilck’s Lake and the Appomattox River.
But is Virginia lucky to have us?
Is Farmville lucky to have you?
We have been given a gift and a responsibility.
The Native invites you to take action within your own locality, whether that be Farmville or not. Please, look into these links, and be the change you want to see in the world, and in your local area. Support native species, by supporting their native habitats and ecosystem’s.
If you have been keeping up with the blog, you may have noticed that the animals featured thus far (Beaver, Red-Eared Slider & Nutria) have a particular fondness of water. Water is an important resource, not only for us but for the wildlife in our local ecosystems as well. That is why today’s blog post is not particularly focused on any one plant or animal.
To go back and check them out my previously featured water-loving wildlife here are some links:
Red-Eared Slider: https://sandytice9.wixsite.com/thenative/post/the-red-eared-renegade
As you may have realized by this point in your life, you need water. For some people, this is probably only fully realized the morning after a late night at the bar.
Living things need water. Animals, plants and whatever else you may run across.
“Life as we know it” (you’ve probably heard this terminology in some sci-fi/fantasy movies) generally requires water in one way or another.
The water bodies within this locality of Virginia are very important because they support such a large variety of wildlife.
Virginia is home to many different fish, such as pike, perch, catfish, trout and bass. The state’s two official fish are the freshwater brook trout and the saltwater striped bass. Also, various species of mollusks and crayfish are found all across the great state.
Virginia is a wonderful state for bird watching. Bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, owls, vultures, woodpeckers, and many songbirds call this beautiful state home.
If you want more information about the various birds and where to spot them you may want to check out https://www.audubon.org/news/birding-virginia.
There are a few big name and big game animals here in the Lover State (“Virginia is for Lovers” https://www.virginia.org/virginiaisforlovers/). These are things like black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and even bobcats.
There has been study after study that shows how biodiversity (“the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.”) increases greatly nearest bodies of water. This is not only because animals must come to drink, but there’s food there too. The presence of water allows for plants, algae, and fungi to grow more rapidly and abundantly. This increased presence of plants, algae and fungi allows for more animals that eat these things to be supported there. With more animals around that eat vegetation, that allows for animals that eat animals to be supported there. With more animals living and dying, there is a higher abundance of nutrients in the soil (either via animal feces or through decaying organisms). Better soil and already lots of water allows for the plants to grow more rapidly and we can already see how this “circle of life” keeps on going in a loop.
Here in Virginia we have rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, estuaries and an ocean. Virginia is a very lucky state! To have such a variety of ecosystems and habitats revolving around these vital bodies of water. What a blessing.
The most common animals you’ll run into around Farmville, the ones that depend on these bodies of water, would be: geese, wood ducks, mallards, black ducks, teal, coots, great blue heron, green heron, kingfisher, osprey, hooded mergansers, wild turkey, vultures, barred owl, red-winged blackbirds, cardinals, prothonotary warbler, muskrat, beaver, otter, mink, raccoon, white-tail deer, red and gray fox, rabbit, gray squirrel, bobcat, black rat snake, northern water snake, garter snake, largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, carp, and gizzard shad.
Water bodies (rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, estuaries, marshes, swamps, etc. etc.) have many beneficial uses to people; such as water supply, recreation, & aesthetics, as well as various agricultural and industrial uses. For plants these places are nurseries and homesteads. Animals that live both in and out of the water rely on these ecosystems for breeding and developmental habitats (-this basically means animals need a place to be born that will allow them to have what they need to grow).
Here in Farmville we have the Appomattox River and its various tributaries, with both Buffalo and Gross Creek being locally notable.
Buffalo Creek, on the western side of town, travels alongside Wilck’s Lake State Park and makes its happy way down underneath one of the bridges along High Bridge Trail State Park.
Wilck's Lake State Park: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/wilcks-lake/
High Bridge Trail State Park: https://www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/HighBridgeTrailStatePark/
Gross Creek cuts through the center of the town of Farmville and joins the Appomattox River and has been the focus for various clean-up efforts. Gross Creek has earned its name honestly.
Since Gross Creek runs through the heart of town, it has the tendency to become polluted, as well as flooded.
Longwood University, located in Farmville, organizes its clean-up efforts via Clean Virginia Waterways.
Feel free to check it out, or if you’re a student then sign-up, at http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/
They utilize the app called “Clean Swell” put out by the Ocean Conservancy. Here is a short YouTube video about Clean Swell and how you can easily get involved in the effort to keep water bodies clean and local ecosystems healthy. https://youtu.be/RnHU6TsbHQE
Virginia is a very lucky state to have so much variety in the water bodies it has. Farmville is lucky to have Wilck’s Lake and the Appomattox River. But is Virginia lucky to have us? Is Farmville lucky to have you? We have been given a gift and a responsibility. These water bodies offer us so much. Not only recreation, like swimming and fishing, but these water bodies are a home for the wildlife that we cherish so deeply. If people pollute it, then people should clean it, ya know? We take take take. We take pictures near and of the water, take the fish out the water, take boats down the water, and we certainly take this water for granted. It is time to give back. The Native invites you to take action within your own locality, whether that be Farmville or not. Please, look into these links, and be the change you want to see in the world, and in your local area. Support native species, by supporting their native habitats and ecosystem’s. Get some Know-How.
So, this week, pick up some litter out of a creek or just simply enjoy the all the wonderful things your local water bodies offer you. Go fishing, or swimming, or boating...Or maybe just sit by the shore, watch the clouds go by, maybe meet some animal friends, smell some flowers, listen to the babbling and bubbling of the water...And while you're there pick up some trash!
Have a gnarly and hydrated week y'all. Till next weeks blog where we will be featuring some Virginia pollinators!
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