The traditional land use of the area has remained unchanged in character for 300 years. The birthplace is the nation's only such national park site in this ecosystem. Today, Pope's Creek, the marshes and swamps, ponds, the upland environment, and the geology present a unique and unspoiled eye into the past and perhaps a baseline for the future. This small, yet significant national park entity, can offer the modern researcher a unique site to conduct research and look into questions of science much like George Washington did 250 years prior. What Researchers Have Said Past researchers have come to appreciate the relative pristine nature of many of the park's resources.
Foresters say the park's forest resources are a unique assemblage of loblolly pine and willow oak.
Researches from the United States Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, have come to compare the sediments of Pope's Creek with others in the Chesapeake Bay area and have found some of the most healthy conditions anywhere in the entire drainage. There are many questions to be answered to assist the NPS in maintaining and enhancing the natural resources of this national park site. There are many potential research projects which unversities, scientific institutions, and other organizations can participate to reach educational goals and contribute to the ovrall health of the unique ecosystem. With the absence of old growth forests to compare to, what should mature coastal forests look like. The potentials for research are unlimited.