Biodiversity Stewardship

Biodiversity Stewardship

This page is an exploration of the biodiversity present at Stony Creek Farm. It is a documented study by Marian Dalke for the “Biodiversity Stewardship” course taught by Dr. Jim Egenrieder on behalf of Virginia Tech’s Online Masters in Natural Resources, June-August 2026.

Why biodiversity?

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life found within a specific region or biome. It can also refer to the genetic variety within a particular species.

Why Stony Creek Farm?

Stony Creek Farm is located near the town of Edinburg within Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It has been in my family since 1956, when my maternal grandfather purchased the land for cattle farming. The farm is roughly 180 acres in size and borders a stream (its namesake, Stony Creek). The land is roughly 40% wooded and 60% pasture, including a dry ravine and a small pond. This mix of pasture, forest, and aquatic environments creates several unique habitats and ecotones for a variety of plant, animal and fungi species. The forest is a mixed temperate second-growth forest that was last logged in the 1960s, and consists primarily of hickories, oaks, maples and black gum. The underlying geology is karst topography, which creates sinkholes and caves throughout the region.

I have chosen this study area since I have had a connection to this land since I was five. My family has countless stories of the plant and animal species who inhabit Stony Creek Farm and I would like to learn how to be better steward of this place on earth. My family continues to raise cattle on the farm and my father manages a six-acre apple orchard with 34 varieties of heritage apples. I am currently working with my father to create a plan to restore the pasture and manage the forest. Beginning in fall 2024, I installed a few experimental tree plantings throughout the property and hope to add more over time. By focusing on this area as my study site, I will further my own knowledge of the available biodiversity resources and prepare my own understanding of what is currently present on the site. This knowledge will inform future plantings and stewardship practices.

Biodiversity in the Shenandoah Valley

Stony Creek Farm lies within the Shenandoah Valley, between the Alleghany Mountains on the Virgina-West Virginia border and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east. This is known as the “Ridge and Valley” region of Virginia. It is a part of the great Appalachian Mountain chain, recognized “as one of the most climate-resilient, biologically diverse, and carbon-rich landscapes in the world” (Nature Conservancy).

From the front porch of the farmhouse, you can look onto the North Mountain, particularly the peak of “Big Schloss,” named by early German settlers as the “Castle/Fortress.” The Valley is bordered to the east by Massanutten Mountain, and beyond by the Blue Ridge Mountains. This region is one of the driest in the state, which is why it led the nation in apple production during the early 20th century (due to reduced pest pressure).

The farm consists of varied habitats that support and sustain many plant, animal and fungi species. Stay tuned as I share more about what I learn over the course of this class!