I am happy to extend a hearty WVHC welcome to our newest staff member, Jordan Howes. Jordan joins us as communications coordinator, a new position at WVHC, and will work on The Highlands Voice, social media, and other initiatives that connect us the environmental issues that most important to West Virginians. For inquiries or story ideas, you can reach her at jordan.howes@wvhighlands.org.
Happy New Year to all our members, friends, families and supporters! As we step into 2025, a year that looks to be challenging, let’s take a moment to celebrate the many positive achievements of 2024. Here are just a few highlights from WVHC and our allies:
The Highlands Conservancy and Appalachian Voices have filed a lawsuit against South Fork Coal Company for continued violations of the federal Clean Water Act and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act at five coal mines in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The coal company has been discharging pollutants into nearby waterways for years. We thank Andrew Young for leading this critical effort.
To publicize this effort, our program director, Olivia Miller, created a compelling video that described the damage being done. The video has garnered over 178,000 views on Instagram, spreading the word far and wide. Thank you, Olivia!
Congratulations to Judy Rodd and Friends of Blackwater! After a 25-year battle, Judy was instrumental in facilitating the transfer of 2,700 acres of land adjacent to Blackwater Falls State Park to the U.S. Forest Service. The Blackwater Canyon is now fully protected, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Friends of Blackwater and other environmental groups.
The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia has purchased Dobbins Slashings and will protect its unique ecosystem. Conserving this area has long been a goal of the environmental community due to its high-elevation wetlands, unique biodiversity, and headwater streams adjacent to Dolly Sods
These accomplishments are just a few examples of the hard work and dedication within our environmental community.
Now we face the 2025 WV Legislative Session which will convene on Feb. 12. Our new Vice President for State Affairs, Luanne McGovern, will be working with our lobbyists and the West Virginia Environmental Council to block any assaults on our public lands while proactively working to protect our water and air.
On the infrastructure front, the Highways Committee continues the lengthy battle to advocate for the north route for Corridor H, working to inform the residents of Wardensville and Tucker County of the coming highway.
In the realm of conservation, the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards, part of our Public Lands Committee, continues under the able leadership of Dave Johnston, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. You may recall that the program won the “Spirit of West Virginia” award from the State Department of Tourism in 2024. The program has expanded with the addition of the Backcountry Stewards who assist hikers and monitor the backcountry of Dolly Sods.
And lastly, our wonderful coloring book is on sale in the WVHC store as is the second edition of Jim Van Gundy’s “The Nature and Scenery of the West Virginia Highlands: With a Motorist’s Guide.”
Again, Happy New Year to everyone! Thoughts, comments and volunteers are always welcome. Please feel free to reach out to me at marilyn.shoenfeld@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Shoenfeld
WVHC President