Kanawha State Forest Foundation

Kanawha State Forest Foundation "The KSFF Mission Statement: "Preserve, Promote, Enhance and Educate" The KSF headquarters and gift shop are now located in the former pool complex.

📢📢📢 UPDATED! 📢📢📢Assistant Superintendent Kelsey Gilbert has found Darrell a foster family, and he will be joining them W...
08/24/2026

📢📢📢 UPDATED! 📢📢📢
Assistant Superintendent Kelsey Gilbert has found Darrell a foster family, and he will be joining them Wednesday! Thank you everyone for your assistance! ❤️

08/23/2026

Good afternoon KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here, back from Oklahoma and my son's graduation from Army BCT! On the way home through Illinois, I encountered a Northern Dusk Singing Cicada, the largest species of Cicada in North America! As the name suggests, they are most active from late afternoon to dusk from July through September, with August being their peak mating month! They are found in KY, OH, and WV in addition to most of the Midwest and Southeast, and prefer Oak dominant forests and woods. I encountered this one in a Hickory and Red Oak dominant woodland surrounding a rest area.
One thing I learned on this trip: Prairie Dogs are excellent at dodging naturalists! I attempted to get photos in front of the Comanche Nation Cultural Center and Museum, but even from yards away they evaded my attempts! 😄
It's great to be back in WV! ❤️

Double-Banded Scoliid Wasp Scolia bicinctaA beneficial solitary non aggressive wasp. I took this photo on 8-15-26 in...
08/18/2026

Double-Banded Scoliid Wasp
Scolia bicincta
A beneficial solitary non aggressive wasp. I took this photo on 8-15-26 in the pollinator plot across from the archery range at Kanawha State Forest.

Good morning KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here, moseying around Kanawha County! I came across two Eastern Hercu...
08/17/2026

Good morning KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here, moseying around Kanawha County! I came across two Eastern Hercules Beetles who were blown in during the storms last night - one living female, and one deceased male. I found three more females not too far away from these (two living, one deceased)! These are among my favorite Beetles! Adults are capable of reaching up to 3 inches in length, and feed on sap, rotten fruit, and plants; they are drawn to bright lights. The metamorphosis of Eastern Hercules Beetles can take up to three years! The females lay their eggs in soil; larvae emerge within a month, undergoing three instars and feeding on decayed wood for up to 18 months. They have two final molts before becoming pupae. Once they become pupae, the metamorphosis to adulthood generally takes a month. It is common for them to overwinter in their pupal cell! As adults, they live for around 6 months to a year, but a few lucky ones can live as long as two years! Males use their horns in wrestling contests with other males, which usually involve attempting to fling or flip their opponents!
The Eastern Hercules Beetle is harmless and docile, as well as an occasionally clumsy flier! I've witnessed them flying into doors, signs, and posts, only to right themselves and fly off! They belong to the Family Scarabaeidae, or Scarab Beetles. In some cultures, Scarab Family beetles are believed to be symbolic of good luck and longevity, so consider yourself very lucky if you meet the Eastern Hercules Beetle! 😁👍

A notebook containing copies of all the editions of the Foundations newsletter from 2016, "The Forest Friend" is now in ...
08/17/2026

A notebook containing copies of all the editions of the Foundations newsletter from 2016, "The Forest Friend" is now in the Nature Center. There is an index in the front. The notebook is to remain in the Nature Center for public access. Provides a nice history of some the activities and projects in the Forest the past few years.

These newsletters can also be downloaded from the Foundation's webpage at: https://www.ksff.org/newsletters

08/17/2026

NATURE CENTER HOURS
Mon. 8/17 & Tues. 8/18: CLOSED
Wed. 8/19 & Thurs. 8/20: 9a-5p
Fri. 8/21-Sun. 8/23: CLOSED

08/17/2026

Good morning KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here with our updated hike and interpretive walk listing for the 2026 Margaret Denison Fall Walks on Saturday 9/12 at 10a!
Join us for a variety of hikes, interpretive walks, and activities focused on different aspects of Kanawha State Forest! The following list will be updated with new offerings as they are confirmed!

🦇 Bat Habitat Hike with Doug Wood
(Kevin Dials Bat Conservation Trail)
Limited to 10 people. One short (a few yards), steep ascent and return descent, but overall not difficult. Hiking shoes or boots are best. No flip-flops. (Easy)

🪻 Pollinator Field Interpretive Walk with Naturalist Jess Blalock
(Margaret Denison Pollinator Field)
Join Naturalist Jess on a tour of the new Margaret Denison Pollinator Field! Learn about some of the different plants growing in the field, their value to native pollinators, and the crucial role pollinator fields play in preserving native species! (Easy)

🍄 Mushroom ID with Drew Palmer (Polly Hollow)
Learn to identify different species of fungi growing in KSF! (Easy)

🌿 Leaves, Ferns, and Flowering Plants with Chris Gatens - Polly Hollow (Easy)

🎨 Nature Journaling Walk with Jamie Chambers (Spotted Salamander Trail)
This will be a relaxed nature journaling walk designed to encourage participants to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural world around them. We will begin with a brief introduction to nature journaling, including some simple ideas for observing and recording what we see. No artistic ability or previous nature journaling experience is necessary.
After the introduction, we will begin walking the Salamander Trail. Participants will be encouraged to spread out along the trail and stop when something catches their attention to sketch, write, or record their observations.
Difficulty/Footwear: Easy to moderate. Comfortable hiking shoes or other sturdy footwear are recommended.

MORE HIKES WILL BE ADDED SOON!

08/15/2026

Good afternoon KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock back again with an update on our emerging Braconid Wasp larvae! In this video, you can see the Sycamore Tussock Moth reacting defensively to the camera. This is normal behavior in a parasitized caterpillar; they will defend the cocooned larvae from anything they perceive as a threat, such as my phone!

Good morning KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here with a newly emerging Braconid Wasp larva, its' already cocooned...
08/15/2026

Good morning KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here with a newly emerging Braconid Wasp larva, its' already cocooned siblings, and their "zombified" Sycamore Tussock Moth caterpillar host! The larva in the process of emerging is the pale yellow figure above the cocoons. The larvae feed on the hemolymph of their host, while the chemical cocktail injected by the Braconid along with her eggs stops the caterpillar host's normal development, and rewires its immune system to not see the larvae or cocoons as a threat. Mindy Weisberger's book "Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control" cites studies that were conducted illustrating how successful this combination of chemicals is at rewiring the caterpillars' reactions! Healthy/non-parasitized caterpillars will eat the cocoons (and the deceased caterpillars!), whereas parasitized caterpillars will defend the cocoons if bothered. In roughly 3-8 days, new adult Braconid Wasps will emerge!
While gruesome to watch, Braconid Wasps are Nature's biocontrol, and a valuable garden ally! They keep the caterpillar population in check, and are harmless to humans. While Hornworms are a frequent target in gardens, in KSF Sycamore Tussock Moths seem to be preferred!

Good thundery afternoon KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here! The KSF Gift Shop has a variety of gifts for the Mot...
08/14/2026

Good thundery afternoon KSF Fans, KSF Naturalist Jess Blalock here! The KSF Gift Shop has a variety of gifts for the Mothman Fan in your life! We have new 3-D Mothman mugs, just arrived today, for $12.99! This Cloverworm Moth definitely approves! Stop by seven days a week 9a-5p! 👍

Address

7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive
Charleston, WV
25314

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 10pm
Tuesday 6am - 10pm
Wednesday 6am - 10pm
Thursday 6am - 10pm
Friday 6am - 10pm
Saturday 6am - 10pm
Sunday 6am - 10pm

Telephone

+13045583500

Website

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