Bad Actor Coal Company Seeks to Expand Surface Mine in Endangered Candy Darter Habitat
(Ryan Hagerty/USFWS) By Willie Dodson, Appalachian Voices The highland ridges and swift mountain streams of northern Greenbrier County, West Virginia, comprise an exceptional landscape and unique ecosystems. Here along the [...]
By Larry Thomas We were very excited that the February 2023 issue of The Highlands Voice was printed in color for the very first time. In addition, Olivia, our communications [...]
The Drinking Water Treatment Process
By Rick Watson History There are records of humans treating water for thousands of years. However, scientists only began understanding the sources and impacts of drinking water contamination in the [...]
Energy Efficiency: The Cheapest Choice
By John McFerrin There is no free lunch. Getting energy that we can use always has an environmental cost, including some release of greenhouse gasses. More solar energy strikes the [...]
By Luanne McGovern By the time you are reading this, the 86th West Virginia legislative session will be drawing to its close. Thank goodness—March 11 cannot come soon enough. So [...]
It’s Time to Stop Clear-Cutting: The Battle for the Mon
A grove of older-growth trees near Leadmine set to be clear-cut in the Upper Cheat River project. (John Coleman) By Joseph Dumire Forgetting history, the United States Forest Service (USFS) [...]
Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards Program Expands with New Trail Maintenance Teams
By Dave Johnston As reported in last month’s Highlands Voice, the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards is taking big steps to expand the activity and reach of the program. We will continue [...]
By Robert Beanblossom In recent years, many short-sighted individuals have developed a perception that West Virginia’s state park and forest system is a financial liability to the state—a ‘luxury’ that [...]
WV Stands to Benefit from New Methane Rule
By Morgan King Born and raised in Kanawha County, I’ve spent most of my life near the Kanawha River. Growing up, I witnessed extractive resources move through the area on [...]
Does the eastern US have room for cougars?
(Nicky Pe/Pexels) By Peggy Clark Klandagi in the East Before European colonization, the land that is today the eastern United States was home to a richer biodiversity of plants and [...]
Thoughts on ORVs on Public Lands
By Dave Johnston I retired to West Virginia in large part because of its wide selection of wild and scenic natural areas provide excellent opportunities for immersion in nature, enjoyment [...]
Another False Solution to Issue of Plastic Waste
By Randi Pokladnik
As consumers become increasingly aware of the health risks and environmental issues associated with a world drowning in plastics, the petrochemical industry is advocating another false solution to address the [...]
A New “Durable” (sic) Definition of Waters of the US
By John McFerrin On Dec. 30, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of engineers announced a rule establishing a definition of “waters of [...]
