The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia recently acquired 1,393 acres, known as Dobbins Slashing, adjacent to Canaan Valley/Dolly Sods, that will protect an area of world-class biodiversity and connect nearly 80 miles of trails in this recreational area.

TNC will keep the property, sold by Western Pocahontas Properties, as a flagship preserve to conserve and manage the biodiversity, rich sphagnum bogs and headwaters of Red Creek. In addition to biodiversity conservation of this important land, TNC will work to enhance tourism and recreation. This property adds to the current preserve complex that already includes the iconic Bear Rocks Preserve and the Allegheny Front Preserve. The property will play an important role in connecting nearly 80 miles of trails in this popular recreation landscape.

Dobbins Slashing has been a target property for TNC and the conservation community for decades due to its high-elevation wetlands, unique biodiversity, headwater streams and location within a significant climate corridor, which is important for plants and animals moving in response to climate change. Its position within the Appalachians, a focal landscape for TNC, also makes its protection of upmost importance to increase impact and progress toward TNC’s ambitious 2030 goals to slow climate change and biodiversity loss.

This property also adds to the Resilient Connected Network (RCN) of lands. TNC is working to create a network of lands across the United States with unique topographies, geologies and other characteristics that can withstand climate impacts.

“TNC has a vision to conserve the resilient and connected Appalachian forest landscape as quickly as possible, safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the region, tackling climate change by enhancing forests’ ability to absorb and store carbon and ensuring that both people and nature benefit,” says Thomas Minney, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia. “When we are successful, the impacts of completing projects like Dobbins Slashing will leave positive, lasting impacts for nature and people well into the future.”

The Dobbins Slashing property is the primary connector between the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Monongahela National Forest’s Dolly Sods Wilderness. The headwaters of Red Creek originate on this tract that comprises the largest peatland wetland in the Sods. These types of peatlands are the most efficient carbon sinks on the planet because the peat absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.

This property is also one of the largest privately owned wetlands in Central Appalachia with over 800 acres of high-quality, high-elevation acidic bog habitat. The wetlands act like a sponge and help absorb large rain events and allow water to drain slowly to help regulate flooding events. The flood attenuation qualities of the wetland rank in the top seven percent in importance for West Virginia. These high-elevation wetlands also contribute to clean and healthy water for downstream communities. The water quality benefits these wetlands provide rank in the top one percent in West Virginia by the West Virginia Wetland condition score.

“The Dobbins Slashing tract has been desired to be in public agency or long-term conservation ownership since at least 1970 when the property was considered as the upper storage installation of the Davis Power Project,” says Mike Powell, director of land management and stewardship. “Protection of this property will allow for stream, wetland, forest management and restoration, and provide public access to this scenic and important site.”

Once finished, the trails on Dobbins Slashing will provide important connections for the area’s current trail system.

“Existing trail networks in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be connected to provide continuity of nearly 80 miles of public trails,” continues Powell. “This will provide more options for visitors and residents that want to engage in cross-country exploration between these public lands. Although difficult to get to, Dobbins Slashing will be a destination for the curious and adventurous explorers that regularly recreate in the area.”

While Dobbins Slashing is not open for recreation yet, TNC is currently developing its recreation plan for the property. Plans for a spring celebration are underway. This project was made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.