Buffalo Mountain: A Natural Area Gem

Ryan Klopf, a Mountain Region Steward with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, will talk about one of the most significant natural areas in Virginia — Buffalo Mountain.

Buffalo Mountain boasts 13 rare plant occurrences, 3 rare animal occurrences, and 6 significant natural communities. The combination of high-elevation (3,971 feet), wind- exposed openings at the summit, and magnesium rich soils make it unlike any place else in the Commonwealth.

On the treeless summit, strong winds and boreal climate support subalpine vegeta- tion including three-toothed cinquefoil and Rocky Mountain woodsia. The south face of the mountain contains grassy, prairie-like openings composed of wildflowers and native warm-season grasses more typical to the Midwest than to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Wet, magnesium-rich seeps along the base of the mountain support glob- ally rare grasses and wildflowers such as bog bluegrass and large-leaved grass-of- Parnassus.

We will be planning a field trip to Buffalo Mountain in June or July to follow up with this presentation. More details to come later.