Berger-Patawomeck Preservation

The Berger Preserve is an 865-acre treasure along the Rappahannock River in Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties, Virginia. Known for its two distinct areas—a riverfront stretch to the north and a stunning forest to the south—this preserve is on the ancestral lands of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia. This sacred land represents an opportunity for the tribe to preserve their heritage and expand their land stewardship for generations to come.

The Berger Preserve was originally donated to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the 1970s as a public park; however, in 2024, TNC decided to expand its efforts with tribes and other Indigenous communities to broaden stewardship of ancestral homelands. As a state-recognized tribe with aspirations for federal recognition, the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia was a natural fit. Trust for Public Land partnered with TNC and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to help transfer the space to Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia.  Following the tribe’s recent establishment of a museum and cultural center, the work here represents the first opportunity for the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia to own and steward land within their ancestral territory.

Our work here is part of TPL’s broader efforts along the Rappahannock River, where we’ve partnered with local organizations for over 30 years to protect this precious landscape in Virginia and across the country, Trust for Public Land has a deep commitment to preserving indigenous cultural heritage and advancing land stewardship,  where every tribal member can receive the benefits of access to nature, the outdoors, and their culture.