Manassas National Battlefield
Roads divide park and fragment habitat
Traffic flows through the heart of the park.
Photo: NPS
Manassas National Battlefield provides the opportunity for visitors to explore the historic 
terrain in a natural setting while immersed in the increasingly urbanized landscape 
of northern Virginia. However, two busy commuter corridors, Routes 29 and 234 
, transect the park and diminish visitor movement and relaxation opportunities. Degraded air quality 
associated with the traffic also affects aquatic habitats and sensitive species, and continued road development increases stormwater run-off of sediments and pollutants 
into the rivers.
terrain in a natural setting while immersed in the increasingly urbanized landscape of northern Virginia. However, two busy commuter corridors, Routes 29 and 234 , transect the park and diminish visitor movement and relaxation opportunities. Degraded air quality associated with the traffic also affects aquatic habitats and sensitive species, and continued road development increases stormwater run-off of sediments and pollutants into the rivers.
Landscape habitat diversity supports an important bird refuge
Wildflower meadow in summer.
Photo: Bryan Gosira, NPS
The landscape of grasslands, meadows, woodlands, and swamps contribute significantly to preservation of local and regional biodiversity. The park is a particularly important refuge for grassland birds 
, which are of high conservation concern in the region. The overpopulation of deer 
in the park has greatly reduced woodland understory vegetation 
with potentially negative consequences on the park’s woodland bird 
populations.
, which are of high conservation concern in the region. The overpopulation of deer in the park has greatly reduced woodland understory vegetation with potentially negative consequences on the park’s woodland bird populations.