West Virginians for Public Lands
September 2024
Did You Hear About This Victory for Public Lands?
What you see from this iconic Lindy Point lookout, picured above, is now public lands!
The Mon. National Forest is purchasing 2,700 acres of unique land and permanently protecting the Blackwater Canyon! Here’s WBOY news coverage.
This purchase includes the lands you see from Lindy Point, one of the iconic views in West Virginia.
The purchase is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. YOUR advocacy for years has helped fully fund and authorize this Fund. A great reward for years of your advocacy. Thank you!
Two Quick Actions for Our Wild & Wonderful Forests
You’ll notice that there are TWO opportunities to comment on Forest Service planning in this issue. We want to take a moment to explain the processes – and why they are a bit different for each comment.
First, the Forest Service wants to restore red spruce to its historic habitat in the Mon Forest. Ultimately, the Forest Service will do a study called an “Environmental Assessment” (EA). They are now taking “scoping comments” which is your chance to tell the Forest Service WHAT to study!
Second, we all know older and old-growth trees and forest areas are vital for carbon storage and for healthy forest ecosystems. The Forest Service has a proposal to amend all 128 Forest Plans to protect older and old growth. The Forest Service has done its study – called an “Environmental Impact Statement” – and you have a chance to comment on this study, and what is missing to safeguard our Mon Forest.
Your participation is essential to ensure our WV National Forests are well managed. As always, we’ve made it simple for you to add your voice to our letter. There is a linked button below for each project with more details about red spruce and old growth.
Join us in letting the Forest Service know your opinions. Please act today!
It is Not Just Public Forests: Help for Your Private Forest
Private Forest
Healthy forests, clean water, and thriving wildlife and ecosystems do not end at the edges of public lands. Private forest owners — with an average holding of 40 acres — own more than half of WV forested areas.
If a private forest owner has more than 30 acres of forest, they may be eligible for the Family Forest Carbon Program. This program permits the forest owners to access private carbon markets — and have guaranteed income from storing carbon and protecting that private forest. The family forest owner will have access to management plans and other expert advice. Click the link to learn more!
Mon Forest Headwaters: How Should We Protect Forested Waterways?
The U.S. Forest Service identified 16 waterways within the Monongahela National Forest — from the Blackwater River to the Williams River — as eligible for Wild and Scenic designation. Studies in the 1980s and 1990s found that these 16 free-flowing waterways had one or more outstanding remarkable values.
Scenery, recreation, and species and habitat protections are some of the many characteristics that permanent safeguards can ensure will be available for future generations. The National Park Service can tell you more about outstanding remarkable values.
Click here for more information about the importance of Mon Forest Headwaters. We’ve been asking the question: What is the best way to protect our precious and irreplaceable Mon Forest Headwaters? We also want to hear YOUR opinion: tell us your concerns and ideas about permanent protections for Mon Forest Headwaters.
Quick Takes on Our Public Lands News! Public Lands Need YOU!
Iconic view of the Bluestone River from Pipestem State Park. The Bluestone is West Virginia’s only Wild and Scenic River.
State and federal legislation is only a tiny part of Public Land advocacy for the Mountain State. What is the best way to show your love of our local, state, and national public lands? Go see them! Here are some quick takes on important news and opportunities to get involved:
WV Public Land Pale Ale Release Celebration and Outdoor Expo: Clean drinking water is a top priority, but you need clean water for many purposes – good coffee, cooking, and … West Virginia Craft Beers! Join the WV chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) at Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company on September 22 for the launch of BHA Public Lands Pale Ale. Check out the information about this event and register today at this link.
We’re hiring! Love public lands? Want to get some experience in advocating for public lands? West Virginia Rivers Coalition is looking for a contractor to build individual and business support to provide permanent safeguards to Mon Forest headwaters. The contract position is for 10-20 hours per week, at $25 per hour. For more information or to send a resume, email Mike Jones at mjones@wvrivers.org.
September is a busy month for public lands celebrations:
- Celebrate West Virginia’s longest trail. The Allegheny Trail is 50 years old this year. Sign up for the 50th Anniversary event in Green Bank, WV, on September from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM here.
- The West Virginia Environment Council (WVEC) works year-round for issues like solar power, PFAS, and clean water protections, and of course, for protecting public lands. WVEC is especially busy during the legislative session with full-time lobbyists working for a clean and healthy West Virginia. You can be part of WVEC legislative priorities planning at the annual meeting on September 13th – 15th. Information and registration HERE.
Your Advocacy for Public Lands Matters: In the past year, you have sent more than 50,000 emails, letters, calls, and petitions to your elected officials about the importance of public lands. Ready to take your advocacy one step further? Learn more about being a District Advocate. When you’re ready, we invite you to sign up. We’ll help you every step of the way.
Support our public lands: West Virginians for Public Lands (WVPL) believes that West Virginia public lands, waters, and the wildlife that inhabit them are intrinsically valuable, and these special areas should be preserved. Is this something that you believe in, too? We’d love you, your business, or your organization to be a part of this vision. Sign up here or click the button below.
Public Lands on Social: Be sure to tag WVPL on your pictures! Use #WVPublicLands for any local, state, or national public land, and use #MonForestHeadwaters when you enjoy a Mon Forest headwater. Check us out here:
- FACEBOOK: wvpubliclands
- X (Twitter): @WV4PublicLands
- Instagram: wvpubliclands
Meet Your Public Lands: Greenbrier State Forest
Hiking trail through the Greenbrier Forest.
This edition of the Public Lands Update is focused on public and private forests, headwaters in our forests, and opportunities to comment on United States Forest Service lands. So why not introduce you to one of our State Forests?
The Greenbrier State Forest has 5,200 wooded acres southeast of Lewisburg. Recreation opportunities include fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Camping and cabins are available. There is hiking and biking on 14 trails with nearly 19 miles of hiking and biking opportunities. Check out the trail MAP.
The Greenbrier State Forest is located at 1541 Harts Run Rd, Caldwell, WV 24925.
