West Virginia’s rivers run through our history, our culture, and our way of life. The Blackwater’s rushing falls, the Elk’s quiet bends, the Shavers Fork winding through spruce forests — each river carries part of who we are.

These waters are our lifeblood. They supply our drinking water, sustain fish and wildlife, and are the heart of our outdoor traditions. From paddling and fishing to simply sitting along the bank and breathing in the quiet, our rivers provide us so much.

That’s why West Virginia Rivers Coalition and West Virginians for Public Lands are working to ensure these rivers get the protection they deserve.

For the past five years, we’ve been hosting listening sessions, collecting feedback through surveys, and having conversations in local communities across the state.

The message we heard time and time again was clear: West Virginians want to safeguard our headwater streams.