Habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to almost all native plants and animal species. Two of the major goals of conservation easements are to preserve swaths of habitat that are under threat of conversion and to create buffer areas around existing parkland and natural areas. In this series, I’d like to identify some of the many plant and animal species that benefit from protecting these lands.
Virginia’s rich natural heritage is home to an incredible variety of native plants and animals. These species aren’t just beautiful or interesting to observe — they play vital roles in maintaining the health and balance of local ecosystems. As development and climate change continue to alter the landscape, it’s more important than ever to understand and protect these native treasures.
We will start with turtles, which play important roles in Virginia’s aquatic ecosystems and help to control insect and pest populations:
Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
The wood turtle is listed as a federally threatened and state endangered species. While found throughout northern Virginia and much of the northeastern US, the species has been in decline for many years. Wood turtles are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant matter, insects, and even carrion. This species is highly susceptible to human land use activities and increasingly threatened by habitat loss. Roads in particular pose the largest threat as these turtles move throughout their now fragmented territory.
Woodland Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
A slow-moving yet iconic presence in Virginia’s forests, the Eastern Box Turtle is a vulnerable keystone species. As omnivores, they help control insect populations and spread seeds through their droppings. They live for decades, but their populations are threatened by habitat loss and road mortality. Protecting their forest habitats helps maintain balance in woodland ecosystems.
Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta)
A common sight in slow-moving streams, rivers and ponds, the Eastern Painted Turtle is found throughout all of Virginia. They are primarily aquatic and feed on small invertebrates, fish and plants. While relatively common, they are threatened by loss of wetland habitat to development and disturbance (such as mowing) of wetlands buffer areas. Painted turtles play an important role in many aquatic ecosystems both as predator and prey for native animals.
North American Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
A common sight in slow-moving streams, rivers and ponds, the Eastern Painted Turtle is found throughout all of Virginia. They are primarily aquatic and feed on small invertebrates, fish and plants. While relatively common, they are threatened by loss of wetland habitat to development and disturbance (such as mowing) of wetlands buffer areas. Painted turtles play an important role in many aquatic ecosystems both as predator and prey for native animals.
Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)
A common sight in slow-moving streams, rivers and ponds, the Eastern Painted Turtle is found throughout all of Virginia. They are primarily aquatic and feed on small invertebrates, fish and plants. While relatively common, they are threatened by loss of wetland habitat to development and disturbance (such as mowing) of wetlands buffer areas. Painted turtles play an important role in many aquatic ecosystems both as predator and prey for native animals.
Spring into early summer is the most active time for most turtle species. While traveling during this time please keep an eye out for our shelled friends. Road deaths are one of the main contributors to turtle mortality across all species. Many turtles are also killed due to mowing accidents along wetlands and the edge of forest habitat. If you see a turtle in your yard or near a pond, try your best to avoid disturbing it or its nest.
All images used credit to the Virginia Herpetological Society – Turtle of Virginia (https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/turtles/index.html). If you would like to know more about these and other turtle species in Virginia, please visit their website at https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/index.html.
Why Native Species Matter
Native species are deeply adapted to Virginia’s climate, soils, and ecological relationships. They support food webs, stabilize landscapes, and foster biodiversity. When we lose native species, the impacts ripple outward — weakening ecosystems and reducing their ability to support life, including our own.
Whether you’re planting native wildflowers in your backyard, volunteering with a conservation group, or simply observing wildlife with curiosity and respect, you’re contributing to the protection of these irreplaceable species.
Let’s celebrate and safeguard Virginia’s native species — they are, quite literally, the roots of our natural world.
Would you like to include a section on how residents can help support native species (like gardening tips, citizen science, or volunteering)?
American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Black bears roam the mountains and woodlands of western Virginia. These omnivores are important for ecosystem health — dispersing seeds, aerating the soil while foraging, and helping control insect populations. While generally shy and reclusive, black bears are an indicator of a healthy, contiguous forest.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Sometimes called the “redwood of the East,” this conifer is a foundation species in Virginia’s mountain ecosystems. It stabilizes stream banks, provides cool shelter for wildlife, and supports diverse understory plant life. Sadly, the hemlock woolly adelgid — an invasive insect — threatens this vital tree. Conservationists are working hard to save these giants through biological control and forest management.
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Virginia’s only native trout species, the brook trout thrives in cold, clean mountain streams. As a top predator in these waters, it helps regulate insect populations and serves as a key indicator of water quality. Protecting brook trout means preserving entire watersheds — which benefits wildlife and people alike.
Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica)
A springtime favorite, this delicate wildflower carpets forest floors with its sky-blue blooms. It provides early nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping jumpstart the growing season. Native plants like the Virginia bluebell are vital for supporting native insect populations and reducing competition with invasive species.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
While not exclusive to Virginia, monarch butterflies pass through the state during their incredible migration. Their larvae feed exclusively on native milkweed, making this plant critical to their survival. Monarchs are pollinators, contributing to the health of wildflowers, crops, and the broader ecosystem.