Va. conservancy purchase 4,000 acres near Bay RICHMOND, VA (wesm) - (AP) More than 4,000 acres of a vital Chesapeake Bay tributary will be permanently protected.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Thursday that the state and The Nature Conservancy have purchased 4,188 acres of land within the Dragon Run watershed from the Hancock Timber Resource Group.

The Smithsonian Institution has called Dragon Run the "second most ecologically important watershed in the Chesapeake Bay." It is home to 90 bird species and 55 species of fish.

The purchase brings the total land conservation under Kaine to 335,000 acres. His goal was to preserve 400,000 acres during his term.

All of the acreage acquired using state bonds will provide recreational opportunities for the public. © Copyright 2009, wesm