Calendar

June 16 (rain date: Sunday, June 17) - "Gardens of the Mon," sponsored by the West Virginia Botanic Garden, Inc. Here is your invitation to tour seven private gardens in the Greater Morgantown area. The private gardens will be open to the public from 10 AM - 4 PM. There will be volunteers at each garden to answer questions. By touring these special gardens, individuals will be able to take home fresh ideas and inspiration for their own landscapes. Advance tickets will be sold for $8 until June 14. Passports may also be purchased for $10 (Children 12 and under will be admitted free on their parents’ ticket.) At one of the gardens there will be a plant sale sponsored by the Over Cheat Garden Club for the benefit of the WVBG. For more information about the garden tour contact Edie Jett at 291-6231.

June 16 - The Environmental Advocate Office of the WV DEP and Natural Lifeways Inc. announce the Environmental Leadership retreat at Holly River State Park. No fees. Bring food. For details contact Pam Nixon at pnixon@mail.dep.state.wv.us.

June 19 - Meeting of the new Kanawha Valley Greenspace Coalition. 6:30 PM at Coonskin Park. Come and join one of the Coalition’s working groups on projects such as mapping and research, community forestry, trail maintenance, and greenspace on Charleston’s east and west sides. For more info, call Linda at 346-5891 or Kasey at 345-7578.

June 23 & 24 - June 23-24, 2001: An eighteen-hour class in Wilderness First Aid will be conducted in Elkins, WV. The course includes classroom study, hands-on practice, and results in a two-year certification. The cost is $140. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information phone (703) 836-8905 or visit http://wfa.net.

June 23 - The Wheeling Environmentalists conduct a tour of the Raven Rocks Community. This is a group of Ohioans, who have dedicated their lives to preserve approximately 1000 acres of forest and ravine land while living sustainably. They are strongly committed to sparing God’s Creations through growing and preserving much of their own food organically, making use of passive solar mechanisms, using composting toilets and eco-friendly products. Solar and wind energy are being produced, and there are underground construction sites. There will be demonstrations of the most energy efficient appliances. As they are beginning a fuel cell project, one may observe some of the fuel cell principles and hear explanations of how these exciting technologies work. The tour will begin at 9 AM and end at noon for a bag lunch and discussion (please plan to bring your own bag lunch). Raven Rocks is located about 40 minutes from Wheeling in Belmont County, Ohio, very near Beallsville. Carpooling from Wheeling can be arranged. For further information and directions, contact Dianne Burnham at BurnhamD@cs.com or 304-232-0590 (evening and weekend). Maps will be sent upon request.

June 27 - 3rd Annual Benefit Reception for the Potomac River hosted by the WV Rivers Coalition at The Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC from 7 to 9 p.m. Gather with friends who share an interest in the Potomac River and her West Virginia headwaters. Please plan to attend and meet friends, meet many of the supportive businesses that believe in clean rivers, and aid the WVRC in the efforts to continue to keep water clean on the Potomac and elsewhere. Any questions call (304) 637-7201.

July 14 (Sat.) - Summer 2001 WVHC board meeting.

July 27 thru 29 - 2nd annual Sustainability Fair, "Think Green." WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon. See full details.

August 11 (Saturday) - Stop Mountain Range Removal Strategy Meeting 10 AM to 4 PM. Asbury United Methodist Church, 501 Elizabeth St., Charleston, WV. Since the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out Judge Haden’s ruling on valley fills, many people have wondered what is next in our push for an end to mountain range removal. All interested groups and individuals are urged to attend this joint strategy meeting. Where do we go next in terms of lawsuits, actions, public opinion and legislative action? It would be great if each of us could arrive with a list of ideas and concerns. If you can, please bring vittles to share for lunch. (But please don’t let that stop you from coming if you haven’t the time to prepare anything!) OVEC will provide drinks and desserts.

September 22 - Shaver’s Fork Coalition benefit concert. Spelunker’s Camp, East Dailey, WV, south of Elkins. For information call 637-3911or gene-o@meer.net.

October 12 thru 14 - Fall Review (Board meeting on the 14th).

"2001- An Outdoor Odyssey"- see outings schedule.