The Virginia Department of Forestry is celebrating a major conservation effort near Shenandoah National Park.

Through the Shenandoah Borderlands Project, more than 5,000 acres of forestland in Albemarle and Nelson counties are being permanently protected.

The project is a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and landowners.

This project is also supported by more than eight million dollars in federal funding through the Forest Legacy Program.

The newly protected land creates a buffer between I-64 and Shenandoah National Park, preserving scenic views, clean water, and critical wildlife habitat.

Officials say the project helps protect the region’s forests for future generations.