Join us to Talk about Permanent Safeguards for OUR Mon Forest Headwaters
Hi everyone!
Mike Jones here! If we haven’t had the pleasure to meet yet, I’m the Public Lands Campaign Coordinator with WV Rivers. Today, I’m reaching out to invite you to join us in person in Elkins, WV to talk about our headwaters in the Mon Forest.
On Tuesday, August 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., we’re gathering for a “Conversation on Headwaters” in the Elkins Town Square (at the Depot). There will be live music, light refreshments, and information on what WV Rivers is doing to safequard headwaters in the Mon Forest. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, get more information, and share your ideas and concerns.
Our Mon Forest headwaters are vital. Recreation users and folks across our state have expressed the desire to ensure our headwaters remain pure and pristine. Since 1995, the Forest Service has managed 12 waterway segments as free flowing, possessing one or more remarkably outstanding value, and eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic River.
In 2020-2021, we conducted listening sessions with recreation users in the Mon Forest. Folks were concerned about promoting non-motorized recreation, trails, unique spots, funding, invasive species, access and mapping, river gauges, and a state bridge bill – and underlying all types of recreation is the vital importance of pure, clean water from the Mon Forest. Our report is here: Our Wild and Wonderful Mon Forest report.
Last Fall, we presented the recommendations of the report in Mon Forest town community meetings and events. Participants overwhelmingly expressed concern for protecting the Mon Forest headwaters. Let’s talk about how to best do this! This in-person event is a follow-up to the “Conversation on Headwaters” that we presented virtually this spring. If you missed that presentation, here are the recording and slides.
Citizen involvement is critical to all WV Rivers work. Whether or not you are joining us in Elkins, we invite you to fill out this 3-question survey about Mon Forest headwaters and share your thoughts!
Hope to see you there!
-Mike
Mike Jones
Public Lands Campaign Coordinator
WV Rivers Coalition
