West Virginia Highlands Conservancy

West Virginia Highlands Conservancy West Virginia’s oldest environmental advocacy group—working to defend our mountains, streams, and forests since 1967. Become a WVHC member today! 💪
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The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy:

Is working in vigorous opposition to coal mining by mountaintop removal. This destructive form of strip mining has gotten out of control. Lawsuits brought by the Highlands Conservancy are challenging this method of resource extraction based on violations of the Clean Water Act and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The environmental and social

impacts of mountain top removal mining extend well beyond the streams that are filled. Forests will take centuries to regenerate, if they ever do, on the packed, barren surface left after this most destructive of mining methods. The communities below these massive operations are often devastated, either by the mining itself, or by subsequent floods and valley fill mudslides. We believe that new rules for these activities are necessary, and existing laws need to be more vigorously enforced. With our efforts on the coal mining issue go well beyond just mountain top removal. We continue to defend our mining laws and work on other mining related issues like Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) which is destroying streams in the northern part of the state. Through its Forest Watch program is a leader in protecting the Monongahela National Forest . The Highlands Conservancy provides West Virginians a strong voice for protecting this public resources from the exploiting and destructive forces of industry. As part of this program our Mountain Odyssey outings calendar provides adventurous people the opportunity to get out and explore and enjoy our Wonder-full state. We also give back to the Mon through trail maintenance projects as well as helping with forest restoration and other conservation efforts. Continues its Wilderness tradition, and after 40 years of winning Wilderness protection for the Mon, it continues this effort through its work with the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition. Is deeply involved in the current debate about the massive wind energy facilities now coming to the Highlands . These projects produce green energy on the one hand, but also seriously damage the ecology and aesthetics of the West Virginia Highlands on the other. Supports bringing Blackwater Canyon into public ownership. This dramatic canyon lies below Blackwater Falls State Park and is surrounded by Monongahela National Forest . It is considered by many to be one of West Virginia 's greatest scenic treasures. Continues to work to keep massive highway projects such as Corridor H from further destroying and fragmenting our mountainous highlands. Works to protect our native flora and fauna while encouraging a fight against harmful invasive exotic species.

08/21/2026

TONIGHT! Friday for a Cause (FFAC) presents Friends of Deckers Creek! 🤝

An event in support of building awareness about the contamination of our local creek and its preservation. There will be live music, a raffle or two, and the opportunity to mix with the Friends of Deckers community, so bring YOUR friends! Join us from 6:00-9:00 for a free event in the Co-Op!

August is both and , making it the perfect time to take a closer look at some of West Virginia’s lesser-known catfish...
08/18/2026

August is both and , making it the perfect time to take a closer look at some of West Virginia’s lesser-known catfish.

Madtoms are small, stream-dwelling catfish that may not get much attention from anglers, but their presence tells us a lot about the health of our waterways. These tiny fish rely on clean, clear, well-oxygenated water, and they can be among the first species to disappear when water quality declines.

In the latest issue of The Highlands Voice, WVHC board member Cameron Layne explores West Virginia’s five species of madtoms and why these small fish play such an important role in our rivers and streams.

Read the full story and learn more about the tiny catfish helping tell the story of the health of our waters: https://www.wvhighlands.org/article/madtoms-small-catfish-that-play-a-big-role-in-west-virginias-waters/

The August edition of The Highlands Voice is here! 🗞️This month’s newsletter explores the people, places, and issues sha...
08/17/2026

The August edition of The Highlands Voice is here! 🗞️

This month’s newsletter explores the people, places, and issues shaping conservation across West Virginia. Read about the small but important role of madtoms in our waterways, the difference between native and wild fish, and a glimpse inside the world of katydids.

You’ll also find updates on WVHC’s work to strengthen water quality standards, the latest developments surrounding Fundamental Data, growing concerns about Corridor H, and the rollback of endangered species protections.

Plus, hear from our President Marilyn Shoenfeld, and catch up on what’s happening across the Highlands.

Read the full August issue at the link below:
https://www.wvhighlands.org/current-issue/?issue=august-2026

08/13/2026

!!HEY WEST VIRGINIA!!
Join us in Charleston📣💪✌️
September 14th 2026
11am
South side capital building steps
Stay tuned for more detailsℹ️
This peaceful rally is being held during September Interims.
Let's show the Governor and our legislature how we feel about HB2014

💙💛 #

"There's really nothing new here," said West Virginia Highlands Conservancy interim executive director Olivia Miller. "U...
08/13/2026

"There's really nothing new here," said West Virginia Highlands Conservancy interim executive director Olivia Miller. "Until HB 2014 changes, our concerns remain. It's still the same story."

Gov. Patrick Morrisey gathered West Virginia state lawmakers and members of his administration inside the Governor’s Reception Room at the Capitol Aug. 11, 2026 for what he hailed as nothing less than the “defining moment for the future of the great state of West Virginia.” But what Morrisey a...

Join us for Green Drinks next Wednesday, August 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Apothecary Ale House in Morgantown!Green Drinks ...
08/04/2026

Join us for Green Drinks next Wednesday, August 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Apothecary Ale House in Morgantown!

Green Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for anyone who cares about the environment and wants to connect with others who share a love for West Virginia's public lands and communities. Whether you're a longtime advocate, a student, or simply curious to learn more, you'll find good conversation, new connections, and updates on the issues shaping our state.

With support from West Virginians for Public Lands and the Sierra Club, we highlight a timely conservation topic while leaving plenty of time to relax and socialize.

Stop by, grab a drink, and join the conversation. We hope to see you there! 🧡

Summer in West Virginia means time spent on the trails, along our streams, and in our forests. It also means sharing tho...
07/31/2026

Summer in West Virginia means time spent on the trails, along our streams, and in our forests. It also means sharing those spaces with ticks.

In the latest issue of The Highlands Voice, WVHC member Mary Felts shares what she learned while conducting tick research in West Virginia and offers practical tips to help you stay safe outdoors. From proper tick checks to simple prevention strategies, this article is a great reminder that a little preparation goes a long way.

Read the full story in the July issue of The Highlands Voice.
🔗https://ow.ly/C1qo50Zv9Oh

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent screenings of VS. GOLIATH in Morgantown and Thomas, WV!We were gratef...
07/30/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent screenings of VS. GOLIATH in Morgantown and Thomas, WV!

We were grateful to partner with West Virginia Rivers Coalition and Tucker United to bring this powerful documentary to our communities. It was really incredible to see so many people come together to learn about the fight to protect Appalachia and to have thoughtful conversations about the power of grassroots action in defending our mountains, forests, streams, and communities.

If you weren't able to attend—or if you'd like to watch the film again—we have some exciting news…
📽️ Attend a FREE virtual screening of VS. GOLIATH: Appalachia
📅 Tuesday, August 4
🕗 8 p.m. EDT

This virtual screening is part of a free national series featuring all four episodes of VS. GOLIATH, held on the first Tuesday of each month from July through October.

Register today via the link below ⬇️
https://actionnetwork.org/events/virtual-film-screening-vs-goliath-appalachia?source=direct_link&

Tell us you’re cooked without telling us you’re cooked.Country Roads News reports that Fundamental Data—the company behi...
07/29/2026

Tell us you’re cooked without telling us you’re cooked.

Country Roads News reports that Fundamental Data—the company behind the proposed 10,000-acre Tucker County data center and power plant complex—has threatened legal action against local journalist Dan Parks, without pointing to a single factual error in his reporting or asking for a correction.

This comes after a video surfaced last week of Fundamental Data engineer Ted McGavran telling his local city council, “We were the guys that basically wrote the bill [HB 2014] and got it through the legislature.”

McGavran was there, in part, to encourage his own North Carolina community to pass a noise ordinance protecting residents from data centers. The very right HB 2014 took away from West Virginia communities.

The comments even drew a response from Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who wrote on X, “I’ve been worried about how this company has handled itself from the beginning. They need to do much better. Shame on them.”

Now, Fundamental Data is threatening legal action against Parks, who won a first-place award from the Society of Professional Journalists for Country Roads News’ 2025 coverage of the data center and power plant controversy.

Parks told the company that if it could identify any specific errors in his reporting, he would give them his full attention and fair consideration.

He’s still waiting for a response.

The July edition of The Highlands Voice is here! 🗞️This month, we highlight conservation victories, ongoing advocacy, an...
07/27/2026

The July edition of The Highlands Voice is here! 🗞️

This month, we highlight conservation victories, ongoing advocacy, and the people working to protect West Virginia's wild places. Read about the successful effort to protect nearly 2,000 acres bordering the New River Gorge, the latest developments in the fight against the proposed Fundamental Data project, and why Corridor H continues to raise concerns for communities and the environment.

You'll also find stories on Appalachian conservation, the rise of data centers across the region, the latest WVHC board updates, and more!

Read the full July issue at the link below ⤵️
https://www.wvhighlands.org/current-issue/?issue=july-2026

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Charleston, WV
25314

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