Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve is a 105-acre (42 ha) Natural Area Preserve located in Mathews County, Virginia, near the Chesapeake Bay. It contains beach, low dune, and salt marsh habitats, and provides a haven for rare marsh and colonial nesting birds, The preserve also protects habitat for two globally rare species, the northeastern beach tiger beetle and sea-beach knotweed.[2]

Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Mud flat and forest at Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
Location within Virginia Show map of Virginia Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Mathews County, Virginia
Coordinates	37°24′33″N 76°15′8″W[1]
Area	105 acres (42 ha)
Governing body	Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

The preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and is open to the public; however the preserve is largely undeveloped with the exception of a gravel parking area for visitors.[2]

See also

• List of Virginia Natural Area Preserves
• List of Virginia state forests
• List of Virginia state parks

References

External links

• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve

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