Nanjemoy Creek Preserve was established to protect a large breeding colony of great blue herons that once nested here. The herons have since moved on, but the preserve abounds with life. Local farmer and naturalist Calvert R. Posey, site manager for many years, kept a detailed field journal listing 48 tree species, 86 wildflowers (including rare Virginia wild ginger), and numerous creatures — snakes, skinks and salamanders, to name a few. Posey noted that his lists on this richly endowed place were by no means complete.
Relatively few roads carve through these woods, though human activities like residential development and incompatible forestry threaten this emerald-green oasis. The Nature Conservancy has embraced the challenge: Retain the character of one of the state’s most pristine watersheds, where just eight percent of the land is currently protected.
Please park carefully on the roadside when looking for this cache. Wear long pants and boots to protect yourself from poison ivy and prickly plants. Respect the preserve and keep it as untouched as possible by not removing any plants, animals or rocks.
This preserve has a hunting program for white-tailed deer to keep the population healthy and in balance with the environment. While enjoying Maryland's great outdoors during hunting season, remain mindful of hunters and wear orange for your safety. For more information, visit the Department of Natural Resources web site.
Keep in mind the preserve guidelines when visiting a Nature Conservancy Preserve:
To protect the health of the preserve for generations to come, and to ensure the safety of all visitors, the following activities are not allowed:
- Picking flowers, mushrooms, etc.; removing rocks or other parts of the landscape.
- Smoking.
- Camping, fires or cookouts.
- Driving motorized vehicles, including ATV’s, except on designated access roads.
- Biking.
- Fishing, trapping, or hunting, except as otherwise posted.
- Bringing dogs onto the preserve.
- Horseback riding.
- Feeding wildlife.
- Releasing animals or introducing plants.
- Disposing of trash or other waste, including biodegradable materials.
In addition, in order to minimize the impact visitors have on the preserve, please:
- Use trails.
- Avoid walking in wet, boggy areas.
- Inspect pant legs and shoes to remove seeds before entering and when leaving the preserve. Failure to do so could introduce unwanted weeds to new locations.
- If you flush a ground nesting bird - stop and avoid walking near the nest area.
- Observe all posted signs.
- Please do not remove stakes, signs, flagging, tape or other objects - they might be part of a research project.
- Please do not trespass on private property adjacent to the preserve.
Thank you for being respectful of the preserve and the geocache, and have fun exploring this preserve!