Falls Church resident Jamie Craig played a pivotal role in the donation of an island known as “The Uppards,” a 175-acre land mass in the Chesapeake Bay, to Tangier, Va., a town in Accomack County.

Craig and his family were present at a celebration of the donation of the island, also known as “Black Walnut Island,” and historical markers that were installed on a neighboring island on June 4 in Tangier. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and his family, Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, Director of the Virginia Department of Historical Resources Julie Langan and Director of the National Park Service John Jarvis were also in attendance at the celebration.

Craig, who does land conservation work with the Falls Church-based Beechtree Group, got involved in the donation of the land after going on a duck hunting trip with Dr. Harry Dutson, one of three men who bought the island more than 20 years ago. They were looking for a willing land holder and Dutson solicited Craig to help with the donation process.