Much of West Virginia’s once-threatened landscape – more than 36,000 acres, from the ecologically rich Canaan Valley to the popular Cheat Canyon – has been protected thanks to The Fund and its partners.
Situated at 3,200 feet above sea level, the Canaan Valley is the highest valley of its size east of the Rockies. There is a rich and unusual diversity in this wetland valley, where high altitude and a cold, humid climate have produced 40 types of ecological communities. The refuge supports 400 plant and 280 animal species, including the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander and the Appalachian northern flying squirrel.
The Conservation Fund was instrumental in establishing Canaan Valley as the 500th national wildlife refuge, and-with partners such as Allegheny Energy, Inc.-has preserved more than 14,000 acres here since 1994.
Click here for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge website.
Boasting the longest free-running stretch of whitewater in the eastern United States, the Cheat River attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, including whitewater kayakers, rafters and anglers. In partnership with the state of West Virginia, the Fund acquired 1,100 acres in the lower Cheat River Canyon to safeguard the area’s natural features and recreational opportunities. The Richard King Mellon Foundation and Toyota enabled the Fund to purchase the tract from Allegheny Energy.
The Conservation Fund's Civil War Battlefield Campaign works in partnerships to protect our nation's hallowed ground, to provide comprehensive information on the 384 principal Civil War battlefields, designated by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, and to honor those that fought and died in the war. The Campaign has, with its partners, protected historic sites in 73 projects in 13 states, protecting more than 8,100 acres.
The Fund was a partner with the State of West Virginia, the Rich Mountain Battlefield Association, and the Benedum Foundation in protecting 246 acres where General McClellan defeated the Confederates in an 1861 battle.
Seeking new sources of economic renewal, Mingo County Redevelopment Authority contracted with the Fund’s Freshwater Institute to design an Arctic char hatching production system. The fish hatchery pairs an abundant but underused natural resource, coal mine discharge water, with one of the fastest growing segments of the world economy, aquaculture. The new facility will create five full-time positions and several part-time positions.
The Forest Legacy Program, a voluntary program funded by the USDA Forest Service, works with state agencies and local landowners to protect environmentally important forests that are threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. The Conservation Fund was awarded the contract to complete the West Virginia Forest Legacy Program Assessment of Need. The AON evaluated existing forest resources and conditions, identified threats to WV forests, and designated Forest Legacy Areas. The AON was completed in June 2003.
Click here for more information about the program.
"Great outdoors has lost a friend."
Read the letter signed by Reggie Hall of the Fund and other conservation groups honoring Senator Byrd's legacy.
Our Natural Capital Investment Fund invests in companies—like Carolina Wood Pellets and FLS Energy—that support sustainable forestry and renewable energy.
Learn more about these companies >>
Recognizing the value of clean water resources, The Freshwater Institute works to shape sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions to water resource management.
Powered by: Phase2 TechnologyThe Conservation Fund National Office
1655 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 1300
Arlington, Virginia 22209-2156
Phone: 703-525-6300
Fax: 703-525-4610
Email: postmaster@conservationfund.org
