West Virginians for Public Lands
August 2025
Growing Business Support for WV Public Lands
Meet Josh & Keyra, our new summer Public Lands contractors!
We are excited about the great work our new summer contractors, Josh Zerkel and Keyra Barnhouse, who are supporting our “We Catch Business” campaign through West Virginians for Public Lands. From the Mon Forest to our state and local parks, public lands stimulate local economies across West Virginia. This campaign invites businesses to celebrate and champion the public lands that help them thrive.
Josh joined WV Rivers in the spring of 2025 as a part-time contractor to build business support for the West Virginians for Public Lands and for the Monongahela National Forest Headwaters Campaign to permanently safeguard 16 waters in the Mon Forest. With over a decade of experience in networking and relationship building within the specialty outdoor retail and recreation-based tourism businesses in Appalachia, he has leveraged this experience to build support for our public lands.
Outside of his work with WV Rivers, Josh works full-time as a sales rep for Burton Snowboards in the southeastern U.S., and is an avid fly fisherman and bow hunter. He also serves on the board of directors for the West Virginia Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, continuing his commitment to public land and wildlife conservation. He lives in Monongalia County with his wife and two children.
A native of Webster and Nicholas counties, Keyra grew up swimming, hiking, and working in the Monongahela National Forest and in the Mon Forest Town of Cowen. She obtained an AS and BS in Environmental Science from Mountain State University and a Masters in Science Education from Clemson University.
Her experience includes teaching science in private and public schools, Plant Protection for the Dept of Agriculture, Litter Control Chairman for WVDNR, and as a park ranger at Sawnee Mountain Preserve. She currently works with the Mayor’s office in Cowen as their AmeriCorps VISTA, building capacity through economic development and tourism. When not working, Keyra enjoys activities that allow her to spend time outdoors and with her family.
Thanks to Josh and Keyra for the great work this summer!
“We Catch Business” is Year-Round!
Are you a local business owner who loves public lands? We’ve got a free window decal for you to display and show your support!
People visit our Wild and Wonderful WV public lands. And then they shop in local businesses, like yours. This sticker is a great way to spark conversations with customers and neighboring businesses about how public lands boost our communities.
To get your “We Catch Business” sticker, just email Mike Jones at mjones@wvrivers.org with your business name and address.
Art in Marlinton: Exhibit Opens 9/5
Here’s a sneak peek at one of over 30 works of art: “Whimsical Wildflowers” by Diana Layton. Come see them all.
The Art is in. We are excited to invite you to the Opening Night of “Create the Mon” in Marlinton on September 5, from 5-8pm!
We invited artists to create work inspired by, or made within, the Monongahela National Forest — and the results are stunning. The evening will feature visual art, poetry, and reflections on the Mon Forest’s vital waterways.
The exhibit is presented by West Virginia Rivers Coalition, West Virginians for Public Lands, and Alison Pottery, and will be hosted on the 2nd floor of the Rivertown Building at 309 8th Street, Marlinton, WV.
Come celebrate the creativity and beauty sparked by the Mon!
Celebrate National Public Lands Day – September 27
West Virginia Rivers Coalition, West Virginians for Public Lands, West Virginia State Parks, Be Active West Virginia, and WV Trail join forces to host a day of free hikes and outdoor activities. Join us at a location near you!
On Friday, September 27, join West Virginians for Public Lands in celebrating National Public Lands Day with events across the Mountain State. We believe that healthy public lands mean healthy West Virginians — supporting our mental, physical, and community well-being.
National Public Lands Day – September 27 Events
- Pipestem Resort State Park – 10:00 a.m. Park clean-up
- Kanawha State Forest – 11:00 a.m. Hike, Davis Creek Trail
- Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge – 11:00 a.m. Hike, Freeland Boardwalk
- North Bend State Park – 5:00 p.m. Hike, Fisherman’s Trail
- Twin Falls Resort State Park – 8:00 a.m. Hike, Twin Oak Trail
- Tygart Lake State Park – 10:00 a.m. Lake paddle
- Blackwater Falls State Park – 10:00 a.m. Hike, Shay Trace
- Cacapon Resort State Park – 9:30 a.m. Hike, Laurel Trail
- Watoga State Park – 9:00 a.m. Hike, Bearpin Trail
- Coonskin Park – All day (all or part) trail work & hike
See full details and learn how public lands support health and community.
Help Us Set Our 2026 Public Lands Legislative Priorities
The WV Rivers team at the WV State Capitol for Environmental Day. Photo courtesy of WV Legislature, Photography by Perry Bennett.
The legislature meets for 60 days starting in January 2026. We work year-round to ensure the legislature protects public lands and ensures these special places are well-managed. We are putting together our legislative priorities for next year. Of course, we will oppose any attempt to extend motorized trails into any public land, any unfettered timbering, or undefined “economic development” in our public lands. The public does not want those things to happen to public lands. We also oppose any attempt to limit private property rights to conserve family farm and forest lands.
We are also advocating for positive changes.
- Public river access from new or extensively renovated bridges where feasible.
- Revise Rails to Trails laws to increase funding.
- Secure robust funding for WVDNR to support staff and maintenance
- Adopt-a-stream and -trail programs; river and watershed cleanups.
- Permanently fund the WV Flood Resiliency Trust Fund for solutions, not just studies.
- Promote accessible public lands for all while conserving our state’s public lands.
- Ensure public participation for the new proposed development in our state lands.
Have any ideas? Just email Mike Jones at mjones@wvrivers.org. Or sign up to learn more about how you can meet with your Delegate and Senators to protect our WV public lands.
Meet Your Public Lands: The Glory of Fall Leaves.
The summer rains will bring us another benefit: vibrant, bright fall leaves!
As you can see from the graphic, fall will break out in the Canaan Valley and the Mon Forest in September and will be going strong in the Northern and Eastern panhandles in early November.
Take this chance and visit your public lands — Blackwater Falls or Canaan Valley in September, Panther Forest and wildlife management area in October, or Tomilson Run in early November.
Share your Fall leaves pictures on Facebook and Instagram. Tag #wvpubliclands so we can all see the beautiful leaves.
