1. Chris Lowie Refuge Manager Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Dismal Swamp – It evokes a sense of awe, wonder, mystery, and even fear in some. It is a vast area that once encompassed more than a million acres in southeastern VA and northeastern NC and is still one of the few National Wildlife Refuges you can identify from a satellite image. This image shows the GDS and it’s drainage passages to the Albemarle Sound

2. 1763 – George Washington Visited the Swamp
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
1763 – George Washington Visited the Swamp
There is another story to tell. Historical evidence of the use of the swamp and the Dismal Swamp Canal for run-away slaves traveling north to freedom.
There is also evidence of “Maroon Colonies” of escaped and freed slaves living in the swamp. Making cedar shingles for trade for their needs.
Research continues today.
Already mentioned Washington’s effect

3. 1909 – Camp Manufacturing Lumber Company
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
1909 – Camp Manufacturing Lumber Company
Logging was a significant activity for centuries for financial benefit
Camp logged for nearly 40 years
Completely changed the habitat communities of the swamp to what it is today
There is another story to tell. In 2003, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was the first wildlife refuge nominated to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Field research continues on maroon colonies (Dan Sayers- William and Mary University).
Nomination based on historical evidence of the use of the swamp and the Dismal Swamp Canal for run-away slaves traveling north to freedom.
There is also evidence of “Maroon Colonies” of escaped and freed slaves living in the swamp. Making cedar shingles for trade for their needs.
Research continues today.
Environmental Education Pavilion being constructed in summer 2008.

4. 1974 – Great Dismal Swamp NWR “A Gift To The Nation”
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
1974 – Great Dismal Swamp NWR “A Gift To The Nation”
Land donated by Union Camp Corp. in as Dismal Swamp NWR
Partnership with The Nature Conservancy
49,000 acres - largest donation of public land
Dismal Swamp Act of 1974 established Great Dismal Swamp NWR
“ primary purpose of protecting and preserving a unique and outstanding ecosystem, as well as protecting and perpetuating the diversity of life therein.”
GDSNWR was establish August 30, 1974 as a result of the Dismal Swamp Act.
The initial donation conveyed through TNC of 49,097 acres; over 49,000 in Chesapeake, 35,000 in Suffolk, 27,000 in NC Counties

5. To Today Over 112,900 acres of forested wetland Ecosystem
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
To Today
Over 112,900 acres of forested wetland
Ecosystem
Inherited 150 miles of ditches
Highly altered hydrology
175 square miles
THE GDSNWR is one of over 545 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The only system of lands set aside primarily for wildlife. It is covers over 94 million acres within the US, Caribbean and pacific islands.

6. Great Dismal Swamp NWR Hydrologic History
1890
1973

7. Why Great Dismal Swamp for NAI Workshop

8. A Glimpse Into the Future (from Present Occurrences)
More recently we feel we are seeing the effects of a changing climate, with more drastic drought conditions, frequent hurricanes/tropical storms and fires, which reduce the resiliency of these rare ecosystems into the future.
Both have dramatic effects on the habitats
South One
Lateral West

9. Current Fire Statistics for Albermarle Sound Refuges
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Current Fire Statistics for Albermarle Sound Refuges
GDSNWR;
11 wildfires
15 starts in one month in 2007
2 largest and most expensive in Refuge and VA history in last three years
3 Refuges combined in Albermarle Watershed
2008 and 2011; four fires
94,000 acres
20 million metric tons of carbon
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

10. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
We estimate that the 20 million metric tons of carbon released in four fires would equate to annual greenhouse gas emissions from over 14,000,000 passenger vehicles or annual CO2 emissions of 17 coal fired power plants.
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

11. Atlantic White Cedar Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

12. Atlantic White Cedar Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

13. Fish and Wildlife Service Climate Change Strategic Plan
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service Climate Change Strategic Plan
Adaptation
Mitigation
Engagement
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

14. Hydrologic Restoration to Increase Resiliency of the NWRs
It’s Good for Wildlife and People

15. Water Management Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
To slow the drainage process, WCS are installed in the ditches. These WCS are used to help imitate the natural hydrologic cycle in the swamp.
The swamp hydrology will never again be in a completely natural state but with the uses of the water management tools we can at least mimic these processes.

16. Existing plus 7 funded plus 33 additional
Existing plus 7 funded plus 33 additional. Highlight southern priority and DSSP is planning to install all on their property with recent Coastal funding.

17. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
What We Know:
Our system of ditches drain away precipitation quicker than what would have taken place historically
Frequent and prolonged periods of drought significantly lower our water table, leaving peat soils vulnerable to wildfire, soil subsidence, and oxidation of carbon
Frequency, severity, and intensity of wildfires has increased dramatically in recent years
Coastal mid-Atlantic conservation lands are experiencing loss of habitat due to rising sea levels and ground subsidence (Alligator River NWR)
Many plant species have begun to bloom earlier
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

18. What We Think Is Likely:
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
What We Think Is Likely:
Wildlife will need escape routes to higher habitat as rising sea levels inundate coastal areas
Extreme weather events (hurricanes, droughts) to increase in frequency
Altered synchronology – food web disturbances
Certain species may become at risk due to lack of availability of expected food sources upon their migratory arrivals (birds) or from emergence (insects)
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

19. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
What We Are Doing:
Hydrological research to determine the actual impact of the ditch systems on the ground water table
Installation of more water control structures to increase resiliency (adaptation)
Working with partners to conserve wildlife corridors allowing for upland movement of species
Soil accretion for carbon sequestration (mitigation)
Contributing to priority action items of the FWS Climate Change Strategic Plan
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.

20. Who We Are Telling: And How:
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Who We Are Telling:
Agency leaders – RO, WO, DOI; Refuges, Ecological Services, Migratory Birds
Partners and potential funding sources
And How:
In addition to water management to help protect and restore the swamp we utilize forest management techniques. Currently we are working on the restoration of AWC – Called for in Study Act of 1972.
This kicked in in full force In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel drastically changed the landscape of the Great Dismal Swamp. Nearly 3,000 acres of the globably rare Atlantic White Cedar forest were destroyed.
In addition, the risk of a major wildlife is greatly increased with the “liter” now on the forest floor.
Regeneration of the cedar is occurring naturally, as the result of leaving “seed trees”.
And by hand planting of special prepared seedlings.
Fact sheets
Video
Face-to-Face briefings

21. Wildlife-oriented recreation: Hiking
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Now, how do we tell our story to the public?