On June 7, 2004, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (RRVNWR) officially opened to the public at the Wilna tract. Visitors may now enter through the main gate any day of the week from sunrise to sunset. No reservations are necessary.

This 987-acre tract, located near Warsaw, has been part of the Refuge since 1999, so why the delay? Much planning and preparation was necessary before this could happen that might not be apparent to the public, such as performing a Compatibility Determination (showing that certain visitor uses will not adversely affect wildlife, habitats or refuge purposes) or writing Environmental Assessments, and Hunting and Fishing Plans. In addition to these legal requirements, there was an enormous amount of hands-on, physical preparation that had to be done, such as road grading and graveling; rebuilding the fishing pond�s levee to a safe standard, obtaining equipment and materials, installation of signs, restrooms, trails and parking--all of which require a lot of funding, and cooperative weather, two things that don�t come easily.

While there are still a number of improvements on our wish list, but now folks can come any day of the week between sunrise and sunset and enjoy the variety of forested, open, and riparian habitats and wildlife in a natural setting any time of the year. The Wilna tract is also a stop on the Virginia Coastal Wildlife and Birding Trail (stop # CNN20) and is a good place to look for bald eagles, hawks, owls, sparrows, tanagers, thrushes, warblers, vireos, turkeys, quail, woodpeckers, cuckoos, herons, and rails. In the winter geese and a variety of ducks can be found in small numbers in Wilna Pond. A wide array of large and small mammals and herpetiles find good habitat here too: deer, fox (both gray and red), beaver, otter, gray squirrel, flying squirrel, racoon, possum, bats, several species of small rodents; at least 12 species of frogs and toads; several species of turtles and snakes. The current trail system consists primarily of dirt or gravel farm roads, a fully accessible gravel trail near the fishing pond, and one unimproved mile-long path through secondary hardwood forest, all of which are level, easy walking. Northern Neck Audubon Society members or any lovers of nature are most welcome.

Another Tract, Tayloe, is located on Cat Point Creek and offers 1,111 acres of forested bottomland, open grassland or farm fields, wet meadow, and shrub-stage old fields. It is stop number CNN19 on the Coastal Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail and is open by reservation any day of the week, but advance notice is required for those who wish to visit. We are working to creat a more accommodating parking place near the entrance of this tract, but until then please call in advance so we can arrange to open the gate.

The RRVNWR also has 14 more tracts distributed along the Rappahannock River from Port Royal to Belle Isle. Of these, three (Hutchinson, in Tappahannock; Laurel Grove, on Farnham Creek; and Long, in Port Royal) are open by advance reservation. Please contact the Refuge Headquarters (contact information below) to obtain permission. The Mothershead tract (good barn and short-eared owl spot), is accessible by Liberty Farm Road and has a roadside turnout for viewing the grasslands. No reservations are necessary for viewing from the road.

The Refuge seeks to provide wildlife dependent recreation to a variety of constituents and managing the deer population is one use that addresses this objective as well as that of effecting habitat conservation. To avoid conflicting uses and to ensure public safety, certain Refuge tracts will be closed to the general public and only open to hunters with permits on hunt days. This applies to the Hutchinson and Thomas tracts in Essex County, the Laurel Grove, Tayloe, Wilna, and Wright tracts in Richmond County, and the Mothershead tract in Westmoreland County. The dates are October 2-16; October 30, November 6, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, and 27. In accordance with State law, no hunting will be allowed on Sundays; and in accordance with Bald Eagle time of year protection guidelines, no hunting will occur after December 1. The Refuge will also post signs at the entrance of each tract warning visitors that a hunt is in progress.

The Refuge headquarters is located 336 Wilna Road, Warsaw, Virginia; 804-333-1470 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.