North Landing River Natural Area Preserve was dedicated in 1990, and was the first Natural Area Preserve to be established in Virginia.[3]
The preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. After a decade of closure due to illegal activities and lack of staff, the preserve was scheduled to re-open for public use in 2016 or 2017. Improvements at the preserve include a boardwalk, informational signs, a wildlife viewing platform, and a canoe/kayak launch.[2]