West Virginians for Public Lands

June 2025

Keep Public Lands in Public Hands: Tell Congress ‘Don’t Sell Our Lands’

Advocates from all over the state at E-Day at the WV Capitol

Your advocacy worked again. We were concerned when an amendment to the House budget was snuck in the bill in the middle of the night — to sell 500,000 acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada.

Public outcry and the work of Representative Zinke got this bad idea pulled from the House version of the bill.

This amendment would have sidestepped the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act — a bipartisan act that requires proceeds from agency-driven sales to be used for public land infill purchases and other conservation purposes, not to balance a budget.

While these lands may feel far away, this type of move sets a precedent — one that could lead to the widespread sale of West Virginia’s lands and waters under a so-called budget ‘savings.’

Senator Lee has indicated that he intends to reinstate these public lands sales in the Senate version of the budget bill. The threat to our public lands continues!

These aren’t partisan issues — they’re West Virginia issues. Selling off public lands may offer short-term savings, but at a long-term cost that our communities and our grandchildren cannot afford.

You can’t hunt or fish in a subdivision — once public lands are gone, they’re gone for good.

Please encourage your two West Virginia Senators and your Representative in the House to protect our WV public lands in the budget process and tell them public lands should remain in public hands. Take these actions with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition today:

First, call your members of Congress:
– Senator Capito (202) 224-6472
– Senator Justice (202) 224-3954
– Representative Miller (202) 225-3452
– Representative Moore (202) 225-2711

Then, send a quick thank you to Representative Zinke and share how West Virginia depends on the public lands-based recreation economy.

Let’s remind our leaders that public lands belong to the people, not to the highest bidder.

Take Action!

West Virginians for Public Lands In-person Meeting

Public lands advocates enjoying time along the Shavers Fork.

More than 20 of your West Virginia public lands advocates representing the US Forest Service, WV DNR, watershed groups, public lands groups, and others convened in the Mon Forest (a keystone public land) to exchange ideas and deepen relationships in the work we are all doing.

Attendees heard mini-presentations on the WVU Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, Mon Forest Towns, the Mon Forest Headwaters campaign, and Mon Forest Service projects; and two in-depth panels discussed getting the public involved in state and federal policy, and on the unique situations in Southern West Virginia.

Public lands are (to use a metaphor from a nursery rhyme) the goose that lays golden eggs for outdoor recreation. We look to conserve and promote these unique and irreplaceable lands to assure that nature-based, non-motorized recreation opportunities continue for our grandchildren, while preserving clean drinking water and healthy, connected ecosystems that are so important to species like the candy darter and the Eastern Hellbender.

Upcoming Activities with a Public Lands Flair

There are some fun events coming up for good times and to learn more about public lands.

  • June 6 (This Friday!) – First Friday in Marlinton from 5 pm to 7 pm featuring local and regional groups with fun kids’ activities.
  • September 5 – Opening Night of “Create the Mon.” Join us at 309 8th St, Marlinton, WV, from 5 pm to 8 pm to see how the forest is the muse for our soul. First presented as a digital gallery, the initial “Create the Mon” live exhibit was held in Petersburg last fall.
  • September 27 – We’re working on events in our WV public lands to emphasize the health benefits of enjoying State Parks and Forests. Watch for details soon!

Save the dates — and see you there!

Mon Forest Headwaters: Drinking Water Source and Critical Habitat

Father and son fishing along the Williams, a Wild and Scenic eligible river.

“Headwaters” are where a river starts. Sixteen waterways in the Mon Forest headwaters are a crucial source of clean drinking water for 9% of people in the United States. These cool waters provide habitats for native aquatic wildlife, including brook trout, candy darters, and hellbenders, and are essential for our water-based outdoor recreation way of life.

Click here for more information about the importance of Mon Forest Headwaters. We want to hear YOUR opinion: tell us your concerns and ideas about permanent protections for Mon Forest Headwaters.

Tell Us What You Think

Quick Takes on Our Public Lands News! Public Lands Need YOU!

A trail through old growth forests in Cathedral State Park.

Advocating with governmental officials is important, but the best way to love your public lands is simple: Get out and enjoy them! Take a hike, go fishing, and post your adventures.

Here are some quick takes on important news and opportunities to get involved:

  • 100th Anniversary of the Appalachian Trail: The Appalachian Trail crosses WV for about 2.4 miles at Harper’s Ferry and then runs along the WV/VA border for another 20 miles. Even though a small part of the 2,190-mile length, West Virginia celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, bringing Benton MacKaye’s vision to life.
  • Plans have been released for Summerville Lake State Park. Plans include a “Mountaineer Mile” for fitness and RV and other camping facilities.
  • Take the Public Lands Challenge: It’s easy: 1. Take your picture in your favorite public land. 2. Call or send a handwritten letter to your local State Delegate or State Senator telling them why you love WV public lands. Need help finding your legislator? Just check here. It’s that simple. Use this simple form to share with us your picture and the name of the Delegate or Senator (or both!) you contacted.
  • June 7 is National Trails Day. National Trails Day is a great way to get out and celebrate the West Virginia trails you love. Remember, a trail hike could meet the Public Lands Challenge.
  • Fall plans are already happening. Leaf Peepers Festival, for example, is in Davis, September 26-28. There’ll be a 5K run and other fun events.
  • Your Advocacy for Public Lands Matters: The Legislature’s regular session is over, but advocacy is needed year-round. Several Interims are in our State Parks, the rest are in Charleston. We’ll be following each session to keep you informed about any public lands actions. Here are the dates of the Interim Sessions:
    • June 22-24 (Stonewall)
    • September 7-9
    • October 5-7
    • November 2-4 (Pipestem)
    • December 7-9
  • 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. This is a great time to meet with WV Senators and Delegates in your hometown.
  • 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 local, state, or national public land, and use #MonForestHeadwaters when enjoying a Mon Forest headwater. Check us out here:
Join West Virginians for Public Lands

Meet Your Public Lands: Waterfalls

The Mon Forest High Falls of the Cheat — one of the estimated 275 waterfalls in West Virginia.

From small waterfalls in county parks to a two-mile trail in the New River Gorge Park and Preserve with 30 waterfalls, West Virginia’s public lands are cascading with waterfalls.

You can get stickers and other prizes by checking in along the tourism department’s waterfall trails. Or set out on your own and use one of many guides. Here is one that has maps to all the West Virginia State Park waterfalls.

Don’t forget our national public lands: The Mon Forest has the High Falls of the Cheat — you can hike there or take the train — and the three waterfalls in the Falls of Hill Creek. A highlight of any trip to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is seeing the Sandstone Falls.

Waterfalls are not just one public land, but the heart of so many spectacular West Virginia public lands. Go find your cascade today!

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