Cranesville Swamp Preserve

Cranesville Swamp Preserve
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
	Bog at Cranesville Swamp
	Location within West Virginia
Location	United States
Coordinates	39°31′53″N 79°28′55″W / 39.53139°N 79.48194°W
Area	1,600 acres (6.5 km2)
Elevation	2,547 ft (776 m)
Established	1960
Website	Cranesville Swamp Preserve
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1964

Cranesville Swamp Preserve is a 1,600-acre (650 ha) preserve situated in Preston County, West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland,^[4] unusual in harboring many plants and animals that are normally only seen in more northern climates.^[4]

History

The Nature Conservancy purchased the 1,600 acres (650 ha) beginning in 1960.^[2] In October 1964, the site was designated as one of the first National Natural Landmarks in the country.^[2]^[5]

Cranesville Swamp is situated in a natural bowl, or "frost pocket", creating a climate that is more consistent with more northerly regions.^[5]^[4]

Cranesville Swamp's unusual setting allows 19 different plant communities to flourish,^[6] with the most dominant species being, among others, sphagnum moss, speckled alder (Alnus rugosa), various sedges (Carex folliculata, and C. stricta) and grasses. Bog species include round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and narrowleaf gentian (Gentiana linearis).^[2]

The swamp is also home to the southernmost natural community of American larches.^[2]

In addition to black bear, porcupine, snowshoe hare and a wide variety of birds, the rare northern water shrew has been documented here. Birders have also noted the golden-crowned kinglet and Nashville warbler, rarely seen in this area.^[2]

↑ "Cranesville Swamp Preserve". Protected Planet. IUCN. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cranesville Swamp Preserve". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
↑ "Cranesville Swamp". Elevation Query. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
1 2 3 "Cranesville Swamp". West Virginia University Extension Service. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
1 2 "Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary". National Park Service. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
↑ Colbert, Judy (2004). Maryland and Delaware: Off the Beaten Path : a Guide to Unique Places (8, Illustrated ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 10. ISBN 0-7627-4418-9. Retrieved March 5, 2009.^{[permanent dead link]}