FREDERICKSBURG, VA. — This year, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park has been awarded a combined $510,000 from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to take part in two regional projects that support the restoration and resilience of the park’s natural habitats. These projects will control invasive species in order to prevent forest loss and will implement restoration of grasslands to improve ecosystem health.
“We are honored that Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will be receiving this support,” said park Superintendent Lewis Rogers. “This funding allows us to do the critical work of taking care of our natural resources to ensure their protection for generations to come.”
Forest Health
One of the funded projects addresses forest health. In Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, forests are crucial to the health of ecosystems and surrounding local communities. Forest health monitoring in eastern national parks has shown that park forests are rapidly changing. These forests don’t have enough tree regeneration in the form of seedlings and saplings to replace canopy trees as they fall or die. Inflation Reduction Act funds are being used to support the Resilient Forest Initiative.
This project will reverse trends in forest loss and restore resilience to forest ecosystems of high ecological and cultural value in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, as well as 18 other Northeast national parks. Through strategic invasive plant management and planting of native tree seedlings, park forests will be more resilient to climate change and disturbances, ensuring these forests persist for future generations to enjoy.
Grassland Restoration
The other project addresses grassland restoration. Grasslands in national parks support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Due to various factors including habitat fragmentation and invasive species, many grassland areas are under threat worldwide. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is part of a regional, landscape-scale initiative supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to restore and protect this critical habitat in parks across the eastern United States.
This project, in collaboration with the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, will remove invasive species and plant native and climate-adapted species to revitalize and preserve grasslands within the park. The restored grasslands will promote biodiversity, ecological resilience, and cultural landscape integrity. The project supports climate resilience through creation of natural buffers that protect our communities, wildlife, and ecosystems.
By restoring and conserving grassland habitats, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is safeguarding critical ecosystems while also providing enhanced recreation opportunities that promote health and well-being in the local communities.