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Virginia Buys Land for State Forest, Wildlife Sanctuary

SUSSEX, Va. (AP) — Virginia has purchased 4,400 acres in Sussex County to create a state forest and wildlife sanctuary.

The state bought the land in the rural county for $6.4 million from the Nature Conservancy. The property includes pine trees, swamp and wetlands and is located on the Nottaway and Blackwater rivers.

The two preserves will be called Big Woods State Forest and Big Woods Wildlife Management area. The state will open them to the public later this year for activities such as bird-watching, hiking, biking and boating. The Virginia Department of Forestry and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will jointly oversee the site.

Agency spokesmen say hunting and logging will also be allowed.

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