Friends of Blackwater Save Our Squirrel Campaign Coalition Wins Extension of Squirrel Inside This Edition Rd Comment Period -- April 23 Is New Deadline

March 2007 NON-PROFIT ORG U. S. POSTAGE Address Service Requested P A I D PERMIT NO. 1409 CHAS WV 25301

Friends of Blackwater Save Our Squirrel Campaign Coalition Wins Extension of Squirrel Inside this Edition rd Comment Period -- April 23 is new deadline. Director’s Letter - Page 2 More than twenty-five groups have joined L i v i n g f o r Save Cheat Canyon - Page 3 the “SOS - Save Our Squirrel” Coalition to keep West Virginia, Keep Dolly Sods Wild - Page 4 federal protection for “Ginny”, the endangered M i s s o u r i SOS! Save Our Squirrel - Page 5 West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel, a beloved F o r e s t Images of Blackwater - Page 6 & 7 2006 Membership and Supporters - Page 8 resident of the Blackwater region. A l l i a n c e , Nature Notes: Allegheny Owls - Page 9 Stewards of Blackwater Heritage: The SOS Coalition now includes Heartwood, the Potomac The Wilderness Society, the Ohio Valley Treasured Mountain Memories - Page 10 H i g h l a n d s , In Memory & Honor - George Breiding - Page 11 Environmental Coalition, the West Virginia E- K e n t u c k y Membership Form - Page 12 Council, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, H e a r t w o o d , T h e Maryland SOS! Comment Letter - Page 12 Appalachian Voices, the Southern Appalachian Conservation Council, the West Virginia Biodiversity Project, the Southern Environmental Rivers Coalition, The Center for Biological extended to April 23, 2007. Law Center, the Southern Appalachian Forest Diversity, La Paix Herb Farm, and The West Our coalition says that the Fish and Wildlife Coalition, WildLaw, the Sierra Club Appalachian Virginia Wildlife Federation. Service has failed to establish squirrel population Region, Virginia Forest Watch, National Wildlife numbers or trends, and has ignored known threats Federation, Blue Heron Environmental Network, Whew -- what a team! to the squirrel. They want to give the timber and the Endangered Species Coalition. West Virginia Congressmen Nick Rahall and industry unfettered access to the most important Additional members are American Lands, Alan Mollohan have already helped us get the part of Ginny’s habitat – the older growth northern Potomac Valley Audubon Society, Sustainable comment period on the “delisting” proposal continued See SOS! Page 2 BLACKWATER CANYON TRAIL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN GETS A BOOST State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Declines logging haul road. The Forest Service did not to Sign Forest Service Plan to Destroy Canyon Trail; include the public in a historical resources review. Congressman Mollohan Weighs In for Trail In March of 2006, Friends of Blackwater and The Blackwater Canyon Trail Protection the Wilderness Society asked to be part of this Campaign received a boost when the West Virginia review, followed by the National Trust for Historic State Historic Protection Office (SHPO) refused Preservation. to sign on to a Forest Service “Programmatic The review, under Section 106 of the Historic Agreement” -- that would allow Allegheny Wood Preservation Act, is called a consultation, and Products (“AWP”) to destroy cut-stone archways involves the SHPO, the Forest Service, AWP and and other remains of the 1890’s railroading era in the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Blackwater Canyon. -- plus advocacy groups that ask to be parties. It Protection of historic resources along the has been a difficult process, so far, with the Forest Blackwater Canyon Trail was raised in comments Service and the timber company refusing to share challenging the Forest Service’s Draft Environmental the document that describes the proposed land deal Impact Statement and Preferred Alternative, which or the survey of the property line, or to rule out would allow AWP to turn the public Trail into a continued See Trail Page 2 Working to protect West Virginia’s Highlands, including the Blackwater River watershed and the Blackwater Canyon. 501 Elizabeth Street - Charleston, WV 25311 H 1-877-WVA-LAND H fax 304-345-3240 H www.saveblackwater.org H [email protected] March 2007 March 2007

Notes from the Director SAVEThrough partnerships, workingCHEAT to protect the endangered species of theCANYON! Cheat Canyon by limiting logging and road building.

Dear Friend of Blackwater, CHEAT CANYON VICTORY!! Congratulations -- we won a big one! Board of Directors It was up to us. The supporters of Friends of Blackwater have put in place the first ever court-approved endangered species protection plan in estW Virginia. The The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, charged with enforcing the Judy Rodd - President detailed, multi-year plan protects critical habitat for the rare Cheat three-tooth snail (triodopsis platysayoides), which lives in rock crevices in the heart of Endangered Species Act, wouldn’t do their job. the Cheat Canyon near Morgantown, West Virginia. Scientists will call the shots in defining protected areas. Paul Hill - Vice-President So, it was “up to us” to protect the Cheat snail and its habitat – and we Jeannie Dalporto - did it! Here’s a brief run-down on this campaign -- and how we won it: Secretary We are working hard to make the same kind of real and lasting difference -- in protecting the Blackwater Canyon region, and its mascot Three years ago, the news leaked out that the timber company Allegheny Wood Products was pre- Linda Cooper - Treasurer species, “Ginny”, the endangered West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel. paring to build logging roads and timber in the Cheat Canyon – right in the middle of the steep, rocky Sandy Fisher The agencies that should be protecting Blackwater and Ginny are not woodland habitat of the rare Cheat snail. This tiny creature, on the Endangered Species list since July doing their job. National Forest officials won’t protect the historic Canyon 3, 1978, is cute, delicate, and dangerously slow-moving – no match for a bulldozer. Sheila McEntee Trail, and rollbacks are practically the norm at the Fish and Wildlife Service. So it’s “up to us” to protect these special West Virginia high mountain Scientists and outdoor lovers who care about the snail and the Cheat Canyon contacted Friends of Advisory Board places and creatures for all of us -- and for our children and grandchildren. Blackwater. “We have to do something!” they said. “The federal and state authorities say their hands are tied.” Annie Dillard - Author We love to hear from you. We try to earn your ongoing support and confidence every day. Thank you ,especially for writing letters and e-mails OK, we said – what’s at stake here? Our members want us to defend the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) in the West Virginia Highlands -- the “ESA” Larry Groce - Director, Moun- and making calls to public officials. is crucial to protecting the Blackwater Canyon. Shall we jump in and fight -- or shall we let the bulldozers crush the snails to smithereens? tain Stage It’s up to us -- and we are doing it! Jason Halbert It was a no-brainer. “It will take a big effort,” we resolved, “but we will try to protect this tiny snail and the Endangered Species Act!” Sincerely, USA Today Highlights David Hammer, Esq. We got to work. Attorney Josh Barrett of DiTrapano, Barrett and DiPiero filed a groundbreaking lawsuit and spent hundreds of hours on the case -- in- Blackwater on Alan Karlin, Esq. cluding flying to Washington, DC for high-level negotiations. Josh teamed up with ESA specialists Eric Glitzenstein and Erin Tobin at Myer, Glitzenstein, Judy Rodd Valentine’s Day! and Crystal in Washington, DC. We owe these three dedicated professionals so much. Patrick McGinley - Trail (continued from page 1) 50 Dates in Professor of Law SOS! Continued from Page 1 We alerted our members and supporters, who donated generously to pay campaign expenses. We worked with organizational partners, including destruction of historic sites. industrial haul road.” hardwood forest. There is 50 States CLEAR(Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association) and the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. We mobilized scientists, and did mail- Deborah McHenry, Esq. Roses and chocolates th already a “cover-up” brewing West Virginia Congressman On February 13 , 2007 are fine, but there’s nothing ings and newsletters. Research scientists evaluated the snail’s critical needs and habitat with financial support from the Coopers Rock Foundation, Rafe Pomerance - Alan Mollohan has been Mollohan questioned Mark -- Fish and Wildlife has refused like wanderlust to make a Defenders of Wildlife and the World Wildlife Fund. Duane Nichols, Paul Wilson, and Ann Chester did huge amounts of organizing work. Ken Hotopp, former US Deputy supportive of Trail protection, Rey, the head of the Forest to release 2,325 pages of public traveler’s heart beat faster. field biologist and snail man extraordinare, shared his expert knowledge of the Cheat snail every step of the way. Thanks and congratulations to these Assistant Secretary of and has challenged the Forest Service, about the Blackwater documents about their proposal. With Valentine’s Day as valiant warriors! State for Environment Service’s approach to the issue. Trail at a meeting of the House We are appealing this action, inspiration, USA TODAY’s travel and asking that the comment staff asked local experts for Finally, in January 2007, the timber company agreed to a settlement. On February 5, 2007 the federal court approved a comprehensive environmental Joe Riffenberger - In a letter of January 19, 2007 Appropriations Committee period remain open until we get each state and the District protection plan for the Cheat snail that includes the ongoing involvement of environmental representatives and their experts. A link to the entire plan Wildlife Biologist Mollohan said, on Capitol Hill. We deeply all the documents and are able of Columbia to pick a favor- document is on our website, www.saveblackwater.org. If you want a copy by mail, call or write us. “I continue to be deeply appreciate the Congressman ite romantic experience that J. Lawrence Smith - taking our issue to the highest to review them. Congressman concerned about the impacts Rahall supports us in this can be enjoyed on Feb. 14 or Author levels of government! We’ll beyond. From hobnobbing with Today, the Cheat snail and its Cheat Canyon habitat enjoy a much higher degree of legal protection than before. Friends of Blackwater will be alert and that grant of an easement would request. keep you posted with the latest butterflies in Sioux Falls, S.D., involved -- to turn that legal protection into a strong reality. Steve White, Esq. have on the trail, which, as the You can help protect Ginny Forest Service has recognized, developments on this breaking to hot-tubbing on Orcas Island, and her mountain home. Log- Wash., here’s what put stars in Meanwhile, we can all pat ourselves on the back, and celebrate a real accomplishment. Congratulations! Christopher Wood - has tremendous value because issue. on to www.saveblackwater. their eyes. former Senior Advisor of its scenic views and the *You can help protect the to US Forest Service org and click on the picture recreational opportunities Blackwater Canyon Trail by of the flying squirrel to get to WEST VIRGINIA Titles for identification purposes only. WE LOVE THOSE it offers. I am particularly signing our on-line petition a comment form and sample Watch the flames in a stone Soar On Legal Eagles concerned about the possibility asking West Virginia’s fireplace in a cabin at LAWYERS! letter. Please get friends and to federal court to protect Dierdre Purdy of the Bailey labor and ability in the Staff of such a grant in effect Governor Joe Manchin to Blackwater Falls State Park It was crucial, in protecting family to comment as well! And the Cheat snail, to have a “Ginny”, the West Virginia and Glasser firm is service of this public effort is Judy Rodd, Director converting the trail protect this special place! Go thank you for your generous in the Allegheny Mountains, powerful legal team. Northern Flying Squirrel, providing top-drawer legal noble. i n t o a n to www.saveblackwater.org donations, which support this after a day of cross-country John Brown and her habitat in the Canyon counsel to our Trail or mail in the coupon on page campaign to protect the integrity skiing or hiking to the Lindy We celebrate that team -- Jason Huber, Pat – and as a result, hundreds Protection campaign. Brandae Mullins 12. of the Endangered Species Point Overlook and sharing Josh, Eric, and Erin – and McGinley, Dave Hammer, the kiss-me-quick view of of acres were protected. In The power and value of the Act. we also celebrate the many Deborah McHenry, Jim Nancy Spencer Blackwater Canyon. 2000, William dePollo highly specialized, LINKS OF INTEREST other wonderful lawyers Zimarowski, John Wiley, and appeared before the Public absolutely necessary work The following links come to us from Dave Watson. He *Recommended by Sheila who over the past ten Pat Maroney are some more provides great information on biking the Blackwater Service Commission, and that has been done by these We McEntee, editor, Wonderful years have helped the Save “Esquires” who have strong- Canyon. Thanks Dave! succeeded in keeping seasoned advocates is appreciate the heck out of West Virginia. Blackwater campaign. For ly supported the Blackwater http://www.wvbike.org/~trails/blackwater_circle/index.html industrial wind turbines away huge. Their providing large each and every one of our Article excerpted from USA Today, example: protection effort. http://www.wvbike.org/~trails/west_fork_trail/index.html originally printed on February 9, 2007. In 1999, Jason Huber went from the Canyon. Today, amounts of their time and legal friends! Page 2 Page 3 March 2007 March 2007

Working in coalition to achieve siting regulations for industrial wind projects in WV, while challenging those projects that degrade special places, like Dolly Sods. S.O.S! Save Our Squirrel! Mollohan pushing PSC on wind farm studies WV DNR Confirms By Paul J. Nyden issue” and that the PSC “lacks authority to require Nesting Pair of Bald Eagles on the Staff writer Charleston Daily Mail the [Fish and Wildlife Service] to issue.” Allegheny Front Near the The letter from Mollohan “adds nothing to the NedPower Industrial Wind Project* Rep. Alan Mollohan says he wants the state Public Service Commission to look more evidence adduced at hearing or the parties’ Eagles have been killed by industrial wind carefully into the potential environmental impact of subsequent briefing,” Callas also wrote. turbines around the world. windmills proposed by companies like NedPower In a second letter sent Thursday, Mollohan wrote Mount Storm and Shell WindEnergy Inc. that the PSC “clearly does have the authority to ... “The whole issue of industrial windmill require NedPower to seek the judgments of the siting is an important public policy question,” said service regarding the studies it conducted and to Mollohan, D-W.Va., on Friday. “It cries out for public submit those judgments to the commission.” debate and legislative action to put some real siting Mollohan added that unless the PSC “directs criteria into place.” The WV Northern Flying Squirrel lives in boreal forests They often nest in cavities of birch trees. Birch The WVNFS is highly adapted to the cooler NedPower to do so, the company is not going composed of norhern hardwoods, red spruce and hemlock. wood is soft and often mined by woodpeckers and climates of the High Allegheny Mountain In a Jan. 31 letter, Mollohan urged the PSC to to seek the service’s judgments regarding its other holemakers. regions. So much so that they do not work more closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife studies.” hibernate and are active year round. Service about the impact huge windmills have on The PSC’s newest commissioner, meanwhile, Left: Pups are usually born in litters of 2-4, though sometimes animals such as birds and bats. says he will recuse himself from hearing cases more. Pups weigh between The PSC, Mollohan wrote, has “no basis to involving NedPower. 4 and 6 grams. At birth, their Dead sea eagle at an industrial wind farm in Smola, Norway conclude that the service has approved the Michael A. Albert — appointed by Gov. Joe internal organs are visible studies conducted by NedPower” about risks Manchin — became a commissioner on through their skin. Both their posed to migratory birds, including rare species. Thursday, joining Chairman Jon W. McKinney and eyes and ears are sealed shut and they are hairless except Commissioner Edward H. Staats. NedPower told the PSC it had “not received for a few whiskers on their comments from the [Fish and Wildlife] Service Before the appointment, Albert was a lawyer for snout. (Photo courtesy of Steve indicating a disagreement with the findings Jackson & Kelly representing clients including Patterson/FlyingSquirrels.com) that the company has made,” Mollohan wrote. Allegheny Power. Right: An innate response, “Quite clearly, the commission cannot base any spreading the skin flaps (pata- Reached on Saturday, Albert said he never Flying squirrels are nocturnal animals and their finding regarding the position of the Fish and gia) is a reflexive action and is represented NedPower himself, but that he planned believed to aid in softer landings large eyes aid them in travel and foraging at Wildlife Service on testimony such as that.” to disqualify himself from the NedPower cases for pups that might fall from the night. Christopher I. Callas, a lawyer with Jackson & as well as from any involving other companies nest. (Photo courtesy of Steve Jackson & Kelly worked for while he worked there. Patterson/FlyingSquirrels.com) Kelly PLLC who represents NedPower, wrote to If you would like to view more pictures the PSC on Feb. 8 criticizing the “untimeliness” of Albert said he believes there will be no potential of flying squirrels and learn more about Mollohan’s letter. Dead eagle at an industrial wind farm in Aragon, Spain. conflict in hearing cases that will be filed after he how they live, please take time to visit Mollohan, Callas wrote, asked for “certain actions left the law firm to take his new position. www.flyingsquirrels.com and opinions from the [Fish and Wildlife Service] To contact writer Paul J. Nyden call 348-5164. and that it is not required under statutory authority to www.saveoursquirrel.org The above article orginally published in the Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail on February 18, 2007.9 To send your comments *Help Protect this nesting regarding the proposed pair of eagles. Write to the delisting of the WVNFS to the United States Fish and United States Fish and Wildlife Service, please fill in the sample Wildlife Service with your letter provided for you on page concerns. The WVNFS likes cool, moist high elevation, older forests. This may be because 12 and return it to: of the abundance and variety of lichen and fungi available as a food source. The WVNFS is known to consume many types of fungi, then spread the spores in its Friends of Blackwater US Fish and Wildlife Service feces and thereby improving tree and forest health. 501 Elizabeth Street 684 Beverly Pike Right: A researcher records data pertaining to a WVNFS caught and tagged during Charleston, WV 25311 the WV Department of Natural Resources annual nest box counts. Elkins, WV 26241 before April 21, 2007.

Maimed wedge-tailed eagle at Starfish Hill in Australia, with A very special thank you to Steve Patterson and the staff of Flyingsquirrels.com for so graciously allowing us to utilize their industrial wind turbine visible in back. pictures. Thank you for providing a vast amount of educational information about Northern Flying Squirrels! Page 4 - Projects Projects - Page 5 March 2007 March 2007

Andy Altman G.P. Cooper 1-304-541-7982 [email protected] Cooper Art Gallery http://www.andyaltmanphotography.com 1-304-645-6439 1-888-868-5129 http://www.coopergallery.com Imagesof As far back as he can remember, Andy Altman has enjoyed photography. From elementary school days on G.P. Cooper and his wife, Marilyn (a WV family vacations across the US and Canada, he has worked to capture the beauty and majesty of nature on Native) moved to Lewisburg, WV in the film. An avid hiker, whitewater paddler and mountain biker, his joy in exploring nature continues. Now that summer of 1991 after his retirement as family vacations include his wife and two boys, he also enjoys the challenge of squeezing quality photography Professor of Environmental Health at the Blackwater time into quality family time. University of Cincinnati. It was at this Have you ever looked at some of the photographs of the With experience, the encouragement of friends and time that he began to pursue his second Blackwater Canyon and Blackwater Falls and wondered just who it evolving equipment, Andy reached the decision to start offering career as a nature photographer in earnest. was that captured such amazing beauty? his photography for sale in 2004. His work can be found at arts and He feels that if his photographs give craft shows in the Charleston area, at Showcase West Virginia, pleasure to the viewer than he has fullfilled As one of the most photographed places in West Virginia, you can Tamarack, Bears and Hares and other shops. at least one of his main purposes. However, find images of Blackwater Falls, Lindy Point and just about every he also feels that a higher purpose will be step along the Blackwater Canyon Trail from Thomas to Hendricks “On my first visits, I Bruce K. Haley served if these photographs are a reminder in places as diverse as Tamarack and your local convenience store. marveled at the falls from an overlook. Then I come 1-304-346-9360 [email protected] that the natural beauty around us is fragile http://www.bkhaleyphotography.com “I present nature not as the lens Friends of Blackwater has been blessed over the years by these across Elakala Falls. and must be protected in order to endure. Bruce K. Haley, Jr., a Charleston, WV native and Vietnam captures it, but as I see, feel and gifted artists, who seemingly possess the ability to find beauty Next it was the three other experience it - an endless array of “Overpopulation, industrialization and veteran has always had a need to create. He experimented with writing, in things both consistent and evolutionary. Each of these artists, Elakala Falls. After that exciting colors, shapes and designs. mismanagement are destroying ecosystems music, painting and crafts. While finding all these expressions somewhat among countless others, generously donated their works to our came the I’ve traveled all over the world worldwide at a pace that should alarm every- satisfying, it wasn’t until he found photography that he knew he had Annual Reception and Charity Auction that was so graciously perspective of the falls but it wasn’t until I began started one. Although West Virginia has been relative- hosted by Rafe and Lenore Pomerance at their Washington, D.C. from the river. found what he had been searching for all his life. photography that I discovered the ly isolated and underpopulated, so that a large home on December 7, 2006. Somewhere in there were Bruce uses the camera lens as his paint brush. His bold and colorful natural beauty that is West part of its natural beauty remains intact, complacency will be costly. If decisive action to reverse kayakers and a carpet of presentation of nature has made his work much sought after throughout Virginia. The time I spend current trends is not taken soon, much of this beauty probably will not survive until the middle We humbly present six of the talented persons who have captured shamrock-like wood sor- the United States. Since November of 2002, Bruce’s award winning art exploring that beauty are precious of the twenty-first century.” - G.P. Cooper the Images of Blackwater! rel. Now I marvel at the has appeared in over seventy shows in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and magical moments where time beauty and variety of the Colorado. North Carolina and California. His work is included in many stands still and I become one with Paul Corbit Brown Blackwater area and look corporate and private collections including six pieces recently purchased the treasures here. It saddens me to 202-841-0222 [email protected] Steve Shaluta http://www.paulcorbitbrown com forward to what I will dis- by the state of West Virginia for their permanent collection. see the beauty of our state slowly . 304-722-0276 [email protected] cover on my next visit.” Paul Corbit Brown has been photographing since he was twelve years old. His work has http://www.steveshaluta.com In Bruce’s words, “Photography isn’t about f/stops, shutter speeds or being destroyed in the name of -- Andy Altman commerce. We must do all that we carried him throughout the United States and to Mexico, Kenya, Jamaica, Russia, Israel, Laos, Steve Shaluta became interested in photography in 1978 after borrowing a friend’s 35mm camera to take nature equipment. It’s about living, feeling, seeing. It’s about opening my mind to learning, not only about the people, places and things around me, can to make sure that history isn’t Thailand and Rwanda. He has a gift for simultaneously accepting the humanity of each photographs. Soon after he was bitten by the photography bug and in 1985 after nearly 15 years working as a locomotive person he depicts and unsentimentally sizing them up. His photographs are clear-eyed looks engineer in his hometown of Grafton, WV, he resigned to become a full time photographer. He says it is a decision he has but also, about myself. Photography, for me, is life living, life giving.” repeated.” -- Bruce K. Haley at the difficult situations these individuals live in, but their directness and compassion make never regretted. Betty Rivard Steve’s primary photography job is as a staff photographer for them hauntingly beautiful. His aesthetic sureness has a seductive force that propels you into [email protected] Betty Rivard uses photographs to share her vision with the West Virginia Division of Tourism. This has allowed him the unique c o n f r o n t i n g http://bettyrivard.smugmug.com/ others. In West Virginia she photographs to show the beauty position of traveling and photographing the beauty and recreational t r o u b l e s o m e aspects of West Virginia for advertising and promotional purposes. Steve and individuality of the landscape. Outside of the state she spiritual and also has a freelance career and has gained a reputation as a “West likes to show the diversity of people and places. She uses film moral issues. cameras with a combination of chemical and digital darkroom Virginia Specialist”. These Since 1978 he has accumulated an impressive list of publication processing. photographs credits, through both his WV Tourism position and freelance career. These She has received support through the 2004 Fellowship in are not the credits include numerous magazine covers, calendars and book covers in Photography and several grants from the West Virginia scenes we see addition to countless photographs published in newspapers, magazines, Commission on the Arts and the Division of Culture and History. on CNN or the brochures, billboards and books used for editorial and advertising Her work has been exhibited and won awards in shows across the newsweeklies, purposes. In recent years the exposure from his website has created an state and has been utilized in state and national publications. interest for framed and unframed enlarged prints of his photography, for nor in the tourist brochures. They are part of Brown’s way of seeing, of honest observation Betty coordinates group exhibits with other fine art office and home wall art. and trying to make sense of the passing hum of daily life on this troubled yet beautiful “Nature photography for me is more of a feeling and is something landscape photographers in the state. She is also researching and planet. developing exhibits of photographs of everyday life that were I find very hard to put into words. It is just something I really “Places like Blackwater Canyon are vital to the ecosystem at large and a sanctuary for weary love to do. Everyone has something in their lives that gives them a taken in West Virginia by U.S. Farm Security Administration photographers in the 1930s and 40s and that are humans who need to remember the really important things about life: such as the fact that all peace and joy that cannot be explained...taking nature photographs, life is special and a bank full of money can’t replace even a single cell of Life. The future of available through the Library of Congress and its website. especially in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, does that for our planet is far more valuable than a fist full of dollars. I believe it is not only possible, but me. It refreshes my soul, clears my mind and prepares me to face necessary, to learn to live at peace with the very ecosystem that gives us life- The Earth. Each “I believe that by connecting with good memories of the beauty of the land we can value it more and work harder to respect and preserve it. In the daily issues which crowd our busy lives these days. Blackwater part of nature is special and extremely vital to the well-being of all else. As human beings, the past I have focused only on places of integrity and turned my camera away from scenes of environmental degradation. In the future I Canyon, Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods are at the very top of my we are the only species on the planet that can choose to preserve or destroy this fragile system. plan to search out and embrace these scenes. I’m not sure where this is going, but I feel that there is something to learn from the combination list of the places that renew my spirit and make each and every visit Let us choose wisely- together." -- Paul C. Brown a rejuvenating experience”. -- Steve Shaluta of, on the one hand, beauty, like the light and the seasons, and, on the other hand, threat, destruction, and loss.” -- Betty Rivard Page 6 Page 7 March 2007 March 2007

For your ongoing and endless 2006 Membership and Supporters support, we thank you. Nature Notes Porte Crayon SocietyFrances Latterell, Richard and Mary and Christine Garbutt, Ken and Bon- Kevin N. George, Kristiann Germain, Jr., Judd Doerfler, Judith Steel, Judy and Anna Burger, Colleen Anderson, The Augenstein Family, Dr. Florence Gillett, Richard D. Flinn, Robert and nie Getty, Lee and Gene Defabio, Kurtis and Victoria Leachman, Larry Williamson, Karen Cicmanec, Ken Cynthia Lynne Decker, D. McCarty Allegheny Owls by J. Lawrence Smith Kate Millar, Elizabeth C. Zimmermann, Claudia Coughlin, Robert and Janet Lin and Richard Spence, Linda and E. Morse, Laura M. Riel and Jacob and Janice Kasserman, Ken Bosworth, Thornton, Daniel and Maureen Jones, Emily Schoenbaum, Frank and Nancy Deal, Robert and Joyce Manyik., David Davidson, Linda Regan, Lynn McGee, Lawrence and Stephanie Kenneth McDonald Jr, Kristin Douglas, Daniel and Sally Jackson, David and In the icy stillness of a night in late winter wetland in Canaan Valley. Perhaps you will Fitzpatrick, Jim Norton, Peter Johnson Robert E Jordan, Ron and Norma Wagner, March Enders, Marcia and Lowden, Lew & Lois Holloway, Linda Larry Rowe and Julia Beury, Lawrence Linda Calvert, David and Marjorie Richard Hall and Heleny Cook, Steve Eckard, Sandra Staggers, Sarah Mi- Jack Moore, Marcia S. Fowler MD, Kolb, Linda Linger, Lois J. Schiffer, Smith, Lenna Leeson, Linda Lee and Webber, David and Trecla Deterich, you may hear a query, hoo hoo hoo huh even have the experience of one perching and Katy White nard, Shirley and Cliff Gay, Stan and Margaret and Ken Roberts, Margaret Lucia Pollock, Lucille Miller, Lucinda Dwight Emrich, Lois Hedges, Lois Lud- David Kauffman and Mark Bening- hoooo, coming from the darkened woods. close and watching you with inquisitive, “Crown Jewel” Club Nancy Klem, Stephen and Sally Ours McKelvey, Mary and James Morgan, Nicholson, Mary E. Vogel, Mary wig, Lois McClain, Louise F Gillooly, hoff, David Lawson, David Revell, Da- You have heard the deep voice of the Great liquidy eyes. Nathan Anderson, Emma Shelton, Kern, Stephen D. Bucklew, Stephen L. Mary Massey and Jack Meiners, Schmidt, Michael Webb, Morgan Marian Cox and Adele Williams, vid Turnbull, David van Hoogstraten, Horned Owl that seems a sound from the Amelia & Bob McPeak, Bonnie Mal- & Susan Wellons, Stephen Martensen, Melissa Casoli, Michael and Carrie Jones, Nancy Costerisan, Natalie Rut- Marilyn Aikman, Marjorie Hamperian, Dawn & Barbara Markwood, Dayle The little Screech Owl is inappropriately lott, Charles and Janice Black, Doug Steve and Marjorie Lewellen, Kline, Michael and Joan Schroering, ledge, Patty Snow, Paul and Marjorie Marlene J and Charles P Stadler, and Susan Chapman, Denise Giar- wilderness. Indeed, the wilderness long since and Carol Milam, Frances and Wil- Suzanne and John Maben, The Michael and Julia Lee, Michael and Richter, Paul Lansky, Paul Reid, Peter Mary Alice and Gerry Milnes, dina, Diana Weatherby, Diane Hert, gone--the wilderness that remains in the named and might better be called “shivering liam Pope, Jack Ditty, Josh Whetzel Kilcarr Family, Thomas and Joyce Twila Miller, Michael Miller, Nancy Moshein, Rachelle Davis, Ralph and Mary Anderson, Mary Beard, Mary Doll Whitman, Donald & Jeannine intonations of its hooting. owl.” Its voice is a rather mellow whistled and Farley Walton Whetzel, Peter Ward, Thomas Williams, Tony Milam, Abrams, Nicholas P and Monica S Molly Anderegg, Raymond Godwin, Douglas Krout, Mary Litman, Midge Seibert, Donald and Barbara Cussins, whinny or often a trilling. The owl has two Rumsey, Nick Williams, Pat and Dave Reba Hutton, Rene Laventure, Rhonda Bross, Sally F. Davidson, Timothy Walt Fish, William and Julia Belton, Schrader, Mike Letsky, Neil and Joan Donald and Linda Wright, Donald When many birds are seeking to survive distinct colors of plumage with birds either a Gardner, Deborah McHenry and William and Patricia Browning Stephan, Patricia C. Hopson, Patricia Koch, Ric MacDowell, Richard and Hadley, Nelle Ratrie Chilton, Norma Kight, Donna Acord, Donna and Car- winter and find sufficient food, the Great rusty red or gray. Sustaining Stewards Pride and Lawrence F. Williams, Nancy Treat, Robert and Constance Setteur, Pam and H.M. Curry, Patricia roll Cook, Dormal E. Cometti, Dorothy Albert and Peggy Richardson, Cathy Families Paul and Christie Marshall, Paula D. Bouchard, Robert and Elizabeth Muel- & David Stanton, Perrie Lee Prouty, M. Guy, Duane Nichols, Ed Zahniser, Horned will begin the responsibilities of Alice Rathbone,Amber & Thomas Poole, Peggy Frankenfield, Pete and ler, Robert G. Humphrey, Roianne and Peter O. Sellar, Phyllis H Law, Ralph Edward Gertler, Eileen Whitehair, “Screechy” likes woodlots, groves, orchards Loevner, Charles and Montague Bailey, Andrew E.C. Merriam, Anita P, nesting and brooding young. The big owl will Kern, Charles Price, Claudia and Wendy Sullivan, Peter McCumber and Thomas Hackett, Ron Burkhardt, Sally Bell, Ramsey Frist, Randall Reyer, Ray Elizabeth A. Koller, Eric Glitzenstein, and will be found around farms and along Virkus and Lee D Paul, Ann and Gary R.A. Nethken, Priscilla Haden, Rachel Anderson, Sandra Benedict, Sandra and Glenna Taylor, Richard and Kay Eric Tribbey, Erin Tobin, Ernie Reed, often usurp the nest of raptors such as the Bill Schechter, Dr. and Mrs. Duane Devine-King, Barry L. Row and Shelby Red-shouldered Hawks and have eggs laid long tree-lined streets in town. A number may be Alexander, Edward F. MacNichol Rosenthal, Ray and Mona Agee, Sherman, Sandra Woods, Sara Gann, Kanwal, Richard Beck, Robert and Eugene Browning, F. Thomas Kearns, Osborne, Barry Lavery, Barry Tuscano Renate Kloppinger-Todd, Richard Scott and Laura Welch, Shawn Hartje Deborah Bretzfelder, Robert and Faith S. Holsaert, Filba Frasher, Fran- before winter is ended. heard around a farm where the environs of III, George and Margaret Smith, Benjamin S. Merrill/Alice F. Rocke, Harvey M Cohen, Jessie M. Harris, and Audrey Gray, Richard Harris and Mary Sackett, Sister Cheryl Kathleen Hayes, Robert and Mary Lu ces Bailes, Frank Kammel, Franklin barns and sheds provide mice on which to Bernard Zimmermann & Cheryl King, and Karen Ford, Rives and, Richard France, Stanley and Paula Moroz, Latane’, Robert B and Gloria Hiser, and Olga Cech, Gary and Bonnie Larry Groce and Sandra Armstrong Beth & Rob Clark, Beth Morrison and Named for the tufts of feathers on its head, prey. Groce, Lori Plummer, Margaret and Carroll, Robert and Christa Lightburn, Steve Antoline, Steven Garske, Susan Robert Lynch, Robert Paviour Jr., Rob- Brown, Gary Morris, Glenn Ruskin, Mike Eakle, Bill and Jean Golightly, Robert and Lelia Russell, Robert R. M.& Donley T.Studlar, Teresa Koon, ert Strimel, Roger and Rose Hutzell, Harriet Tucker, Hedda and Ray Han- the Great Horned is the largest of our native Photo courtesy of Steve Shaluta Jay Stern, Margaux Byrne, Martha Bonnie Thurston, Brian and Polly Mul- Nesting in a hollow tree or where a and Richard Wolfe, Mr. and Mrs. S. Ward, Robert S. Cronin, Jr., Robert Thomas McPherson, Thomas Stump, Ron Wilson, Roy B Clarkson, Roy C. ing, Hedrick Belin and Mary Bissell, owls at nearly two feet in length with a wing lins, Byron L Harris and Jill McDan- W. & Lelia R. Russell, Robert Wayne Tim Ahrens, Toni Witzemann, Waino Johnson, Ruth and Robert Wilkinson, Helen and Charles Brown, Helen J. spread of almost five. The owl will kill a skunk woodpecker has drilled an opening, the mellow notes that were thought to resemble Murray Rust, Mrs. Betty L. Thompson, iel, Carol and Paul Cole, Carrie & Phillip and Karin Nelson, Rod and & Blair Van Valkenburgh, Rod and Tuominen, Will Haverty, William and Ruth Brooks, Samuel J Burchfield, McGinnis, Howard Bussard, James and come away smelling of the encounter Screech Owl may be seen dozing during the sharpening of a saw blade! Listen for it Michael J. Cline, Carrie and David Helen Graves, Roger and Emma Em- Denise McNeel, William Milway, Sandra S. Gutmann, Sarah Taggart, A & Shirley P. Tolbert, James and Susan Watkins, William E. Mohler III Fenwick, Catherine Samargo, Charles and can even carry off a house cat. A diverse daylight at the entrance. A feisty bird, the owl during the spring in areas of abundant spruce rick, Ron and Sue Anglin, Rose Marie William Snyder Stephen & Brenda Hancheck, Susan Roberta Roush, James Hiller Hardie, will defend the nest site by flying at and even Patrons and Carolyn Glick, Charles and Riter, Sally Collier and Robert Caiola, Carter, Teresa and Mark Hanson, James Mosher, James See and Joan habitat of woodland interspersed with farms and, should you meet with success, the owl is Albert W. Stewart, Anatala S Clifton, Donna Printz, Charles and Elizabeth Seniors Scott and Claudia Nease, Sidney and Ad and Barbara Deynzer, Alan Terry and Jack McIntosh, Terry Weber, Jane and John Riffe, Jane is to the liking of the “tiger of the air.” striking the head of people coming too close. rather tame and may allow a close approach. Annette H Tanner, Arnold N. Kramer Baer, Chris Elfring and Ann Miles, Barbara Tedford, Stanwyn and Elaine Rudley, Albert Hess, Alexander J. & Anderson, Thomas and Cynthia Beres, Whitaker, Janet and Emory Kemp, Ja- and Emily Carton, Arthur and Betty G Christopher Patten, Claire and Paul Shetler, Stephen and Carol Schimpff, Sandra K. Sabo, Allan J. & Linda K. Thomas E. Windsor, Titi and John net Hunt, Jean Neely, Jeff Allen, Jen- The elfin Saw-whet Owl will be found at the After dark one June evening, as I sat with Evans Jr, Barbara and Robert Foster, Gesalman, Cleo G. Mayfield, Craig Barred Owls will be heard caterwauling Stephen and Linda Martenson, Steven Urban, Alvin and Roberta Allison, Ferguson, Virginia Hastings, Virginia nifer Walker, Jeremy Golston, Jerome Barbara J. Bramble, Barbara Wolf- Close, Cynthia and David Ellis, Cyn- in spring when they feel the urges of a new higher elevations in West Virginia where it Jim and Bev Triplett on the porch of their Barnett, MD, Steven Robert Szabo, Ann Burns-Slusher, Armand E. Singer, McCormick, Virginia Stanley, Walt R. and Jane Burch, Jessee B. Gandee II, ert, Betsy and Geoff Green, Betty thia Ashworth, Dale and Anne Manuel nests in the spruce woods or forest of mixed house in Canaan Valley, the tooting of a Susan & John Poffenbarger, Thomas Barbara Schulz, Bert Carothers, Betty Shupe, Warren and Peggy McGraw, Jim and Janice McIntyre, Jim Parsons, season and their series of rolling notes end J Rice, Betty L Schwimmer, Beverly Dallas and Ann Martin, Daniel and and Judith McHugh, Victor and Tara Anne Adams, Betty W. Hall, Bill Csuto- William A. James III, William and Jim Woods, Joan Ryan, Joanne with a questioning who all. The Barred will spruce and northern hardwoods. About the Saw-whet was heard. Steele, Bill and Linda Schmidt, Bill Jodi Welsch, Daryl Rice, David and Woods, Victor and Vicki Kidd, Virgil ros, Blaine Stevens, Bobby Mills Sr., Elinor Moore, William Burger, William Amberson, Joe & Betty Morton, Joe size of a Robin, the Saw-whet is a characteristic Rodd, Bill Weiss, Brent Blackwelder, Beverly Walters, David and Marge often respond to a recording or imitation of L Langdon Jr, William Styer and Bruce and Marcia Bonta, Buddy Wat- G. Wegener Kransdorf, John & Cindy Tingley, Brian Thorniley, Carol Wolff, McCutcheon, Dawn Warfield and its voice, especially during the spring. bird of the North Woods of Canada, but is also Only rarely does the owl make a search Anna Gerig, William and Francoise kins, Carl and Rebecca McLaughlin, John & Rauna Surr, John and Eleanor Catherine Pardee, Catherine Tebay, Michael Knight, Deatra Markham, Student found along the Appalachians southward to unnecessary as it did for us. On hearing the Stauber, Wilson Bradburn Carol Howe Hamblen, Carole Lynne Barbara and Albert Yandek, Caitlin Renton, John Hartman, John N. Rinker, Charles and Nancy Brabec, Christine Debra Keddie, Denise L. Ferguson, owl, we could have been in Maine or northern Keller, Carroll & Terry Van Horn, Schneiderman, David D. Maxwell, Jon and Donna Weems, Josh R. Paton, Somewhat smaller than the Great Horned, the Great Smoky Mountains. Christianson, Claire and Marc Levine, Denny and Luella Sorber, Diana individuals Allen Belden, Jr., Allen Graybill, Ann Cebern and Thursy Baker, Charles Diana K Green, Don and Martha Joshua Nease, Joshua Rutkowski, the Barred will often be heard during daylight Minnesota, but this is West Virginia’s land of David & Linda Cashdan, David and Simonton And Rich Rieger, Douglas L. Barton Brown, B Kent Parker, Benton and Elizabeth Tewksbury, Charles Shearer, Donald Kight, George Joy Oakes, Judd Waldo, Judge and The owl has gotten its name from its rather Rosemary Gustin, David Dixon, Destry and Andrea Denton, Douglas Lesar almost as though it wakes from fitful slumber Canaan! Lee Grimm, Beth Jacob, Beth Koller, and Elsie Bernstein, Charles Austin, Powell, Hazelene Anderson, Helen Mrs. Thomas Lohm, Judith and Robert Jarvis, Donald, Glee and Bret Gas- and Marilym Mann, Dr. and Mrs. J. A. and must become vocal. The owl seeks a Betty Leavengood, Blaise A. Sidor, Charles Heller, Charles L. & Cariolyn J. McGinnis, Jacob McGee, Jason Stitzel, Julie Adams and Josh Barrett, per, Dr. and Mrs. G. Robert Nugent, Smith, Dr. E. Schrae and Mary LaPlan- Bob and Robert Gedekoh, Bradford T. Church, Christina and Dennis Cox, McCutcheon, John Manchester, John S. Kate Long, Katherine L. Keith and hollow tree for a nest site where two or Dr. and Mrs. Wayne Spiggle, te, Dr. Nick and Amy Zervos, E Clifton by J. Lawrence Smith and Bernadine Owen, Brian and Clara Mae Hall, Clarence and Shirley Kosticky, Karen Fedorov, Karen J. Kel- Chad Thomas, Kathleen Smith, Keith L. three eggs are laid. Elizabeth and Jim Bullard, Elizabeth Hyre, Erika Pallie and Adam Polinski, Schoyer, Eric Lange, Eugene Nojek Antionette Maggied, Brian Henry, Aleshire, Cleve M. Meador, Darlene ley, Linda Reeves, Marilyn Bible, Mary Scholtz, Ken, Donna & Moira Kaleida, Promises Erin Kuehn, F Ethan Fischer, Frank and Brian Weissbuch, Bruce D.& Maral P. Thompson, Darrell Groves, David & Ellen Koenn, Maryann Kraynanski Kristian Pueschel, L. Sullivan, Lara "A promise made is a debt unpaid..." is a line from poet Robert Eve Firor, Gail Wippelhauser and Bridget Fico, Frank and Jan Samargo, Liking heavily forested lower slopes, hollows Strathearn, Bruce Sundquist, Camp- Karen Stacko, David and Martha and Paul Gartner, Maxine Duckworth, Lavander, Laura Goff Davis, Lauren Robert McIntire, Glen and Linda Fred and Barbara Stafford, Fred and wooded swamps, the Barred will be heard Service. Recent generations made and kept promises that have bell Williamson, Carol Jori, Carolyn Lester, Del Parris, Dolores and Gerald Megan Hash, Meredith Oakes, Susan Otto, Lawrence S. Lessin, Lee Petsonk Morrison, Hal Green, Harriett M. and Chris Kissell, Gardner Hathaway, Welcker, Charles Conner, Charles Devaul, Don Spencer, Dorothy S Stone and Jeremy Kelley, Warren G. and Susan Brown, Letty Limbach, Levi along the bigger streams and around forested been to our benefit in the creation of national parks, wilderness Crosby, Harry Donald Price, Hazel V. George & Linda Harrington, George Yoho, Chris Boyce, Colby Zebel Fitzpatrick, Doug Johnson, Douglas Jones, William Riddle and Elizabeth Miller, Linda Cooper, Oliff, Henry Hoffstot, Jr., Jason Hal- and Karen Schnakenberg, Gregory areas and wildlife refuges. The future is only as bright with bert, Jean & John Smith,Joan and Tom Constance McPeak Green, Curtis Jaslow, Eileen & Robert Brown, Lisa C McIver, Liz Rodd and Mike cont’d from previous page Shindledecker, Hugh and Alice Young, Supporters and Nancy Clark, Ray Stump Jr., Kelsch, Joan Golden, Joe and Mary E Burns, Jr., Dan and Lisa Gillogly, Elizabeth McCloskey, Esther Hinchman, Allyson Woods, Alston & Charlotte Kimble, Llewellyn McKernan, Lowell Wolfram, William and Alexandra promise as we make it. We have only ourselves to blame should Ian Fitzpatrick, Irving & Sharon Raymond and Janet Keith, Richard & Moore Rieffenberger, John & Donna David Rodgers, Del and Linda Yoder, Fanny M Johnsson, Fred and Elizabeth Sue Cave, Alta I. Mainer, Amanda and Teryl Markey, Luanne McGovern, Carrico, William and Carol Reuther, the months and years ahead be unpromising. Goodman, Irving and Gail Stern Karen, Richard and Patricia Fiedler, Hoyt, John & Julie Trone, John Abra- Diana Niskern, Donna and Kenneth Sampson, Garnet Byrne, George Cox, Ann L Barton Brown, Anne Ludovic Moore, Lydia Garvey, Marc William and Marsha Romano, William Jack and Margaret Dolly, Jack and Richard and Susan Petran, Richard ham, John and Charolette Sweet, John Showalter, Donna Sinclair, Doug and, Katherine Starzmann, George Romance, Anthony and Lois Winston, A. Resnick, Marc Levine, Margaret B. Leaman, Jr., William M. and Betty Margrit Vanderryn, Jack Steel, MD, D. Morgenstern, Richard Edwards, and Darina Sherwood, John Huffman, Wood and Dianne Anestis, Edith Mikedes, Gertrude Ehrlich, Glade Arla Ralston, Art Abrams, Arthur and and Jim Trott, Margaret Calwell, Ma- Riley, Yoshine Uchimura We must be diligent in our efforts to change the blind and Jacques and Monique Yenny, Jane P. Richard F. Hitchcock, Robert D. Morris, Joseph T Carney, Josephine Wood, Levine and Thomas Beckman, Eliza- Little, Glen and Anna Belle Mitchell, Iris Malcom, Barbara Howe, Bea ria Becker and Dennis Walters, Mark Fleming, Janis Boury and Michael Fra- Jr. D.O., Robert F. Hurley, Ron & Jean InKind Donors unfeeling attitude of many persons toward the land and its Juliana Serafin and Albert Liu, beth P.N. Seamans, Elizabeth Weimer, Harriet Tucker, Helen and Neil L. and Cliff Hackett, Ben Clark, Ben Giese, Mark Poore, Martha D. Mullett, sher, Janis Hurst and David Elkinton, Hawk, Ronald and JoAnn Richardson, Betty Rivard, Plane & Fancy Wood- Kristine and Jerry Jordan, L. Blair Elsa Nadler, Francis Gilmore, Harris Gibbins, Hullet and Shirley Good, Neustadt and Ben Nelson, Benjamin Mary Huntley and Mark Snyder, creatures. We who regard the natural world with awe and even Jason Berry, Jil Swearingen, Jill E. Bak Ronald and Sharon Tebben, Ruth working, Andy Altman, Sassi Harel, Thrush & Sandra Wotring, Larry and Haynie, Henry Battle, Jack Frazier, Ira and Paula Abelow, Iris Malcolm, and Elizabeth Trump, Bethesda Family Mary Miller, Mary Wimmer and T. Jim and Judy Lewis, Jim and Melinda Boyd, Sandra Knowles, Scott and Jac- Bruce Haley, White Grass Touring adoration must persuade with patience those who are blind to Becky Starcher, Lila and Alvin Guyon James & Kathryn Morrow, James, James & Kathyrn Stone, James and Dentistry, Bill & Janet Reger-Nash, Anne Hawkins, Max Harbert, Michael Schmitt, Jim and Pat Carney, Jim King quelyn Custer, Scott Coston, Shirley Center, David Smith, Donna and Lynda Holup & David Revell, Marie Quarles, James T. Decker, Jane Eff, Helen Butterworth, James and Helen Blaise and Patricia Hollot, Bob & Davis, Mr. Charles B. Sherwood, Mr. receive the vision to embrace simple wonders. When we love or have affection for something or and Scott Britton, Jim Maddy and Rosenbaum, Silas and Loretta Adkins, Carroll Cook, Timberline Resort, and Rodney Sauter, Marie L. Prezioso, Janice Kinsolving, Jean Perfater Poze- Clark, James Dentinger, Jane Rector Mary Kay Chaney, Brent Bailey, Bruce George Sorvalis, Mrs. Gianpiero For- Barbara Chapman, Joanie Elling- Stafford and Sue Warren, Stephen Highland Prospects, Jim Clark, John J. some place then we will give ourselves to its nuture, care and protection. Marjorie McDiarmid, Martha Phyllis ga, Jennifer Dusic, Jerry Jenkins, Jerry Donaldson and Susan Breiding, Jean Halgren, Bruce Ludwick, Bud & Carol nica, Nancy and Paul L Hill Jr, Nancy wood, John Amos and Amy Mathews G. Brickel, Steve and Christine Dolan Collins, Mountain Made, Art Company Coffman, Mary Clark, Mary Etta Oland, Jim and Jamie Clark, Jim and Dickens, Jean R. Worthley, Jean Rod- Salsbury, Carl and Barb Feather, Car- Johnston, Nancy Knop, Nancy Spen- Amos, John and Barbara Haynes, John Keating, Stratford Douglas and Jodie of Davis, Cooper Art Gallery, Mark Hight and William Arnold, Maureen Mary Sullivan, John Booth, John Cuth- man, Jerrold and Jean Wagener, Jim ol Patch, Carter Zerbe and Maureen cer, Neal Secrist, Nelson and Suzanne A national park encompassing Blackwater Canyon is more than promises on paper and and Lynn Mugaas, John and Marcia Jackson, Tasha Splaine, Terry Pickett, Blumenstein, Mountain Creek Cabins, Comiskey, Michael Brooks, Mike and bert, John R Magan, John Thompson Smolka, Jo Ann Barlow, Joan Sims, Joe Conley, Charles and Gail Kramer, Joyner, Nicholas Winowich, Nichole Holmes, John and Trudy Phillips, John Thelma Wiegel, Thomas C. Shaffer, Paul Corbit Brown, Sam and Joe Her- proposed boundaries on maps. The promise of the park burns like a flame in the hearts of Sally Brenton, Millie and Alan Karlin, and Jean Buckley, JohnH. Hoffman & Donna Varian, John and Jane Lind- Charles and Margaret Biggs, Charles Queen, Paige Muendel, Pamela Kasey D. Leach, John Love, Joseph Hovious, Tim Warner and Paula Hunt, Todd & rmann, Sandy Fisher, Stanley & Susan Nancy and Clark Campbell, Pat W. Jr., Jon Thoma, Jonell Strough, Joseph say, John and Judy Hillman, John and Dorsett, Charles Walbridge, Charles and Evan Hansen, Patricia Barbeau, West Virginia sons and daughters and many from beyond the mountains. We are indebted to Karen and Ron Owens, Karyn Molines Sue Alter, Vickie Compton, Virginia Jennings, Steve Payne, Steve Shaluta Kingman, Patricia Munoz, Patrick A. Bush, Judy Seaman, Karl Esser, Katha- Lesley Gilbert, John and Pamela Lutz, Wolf, Chris Pemberton, Christopher Patricia Gussey, Patricia Lawson, Paul and Gary Pendleton, Kathryn Makela, Evans, W. V. Depaulo, Walter Harbi- Jr., Mud River Pottery those who have gone before us and await the day when the national park will be full payment Frasher. Peter and Jane Boone, Phyllis rine Gregg, Katherine Payne, Keith John and Phyllis Fenwick, John Brown, Dale Roth, Christopher N. Brown Atkins, Paul Burke, Rachel Ann Dash, Kay Evans and LeJay Graffious, Keith son, Wayne and Ann Nelson, Wayne A. Harman, Ralph Muoio, Richard and Strausbaugh, Ken and Evie Cooper, John Stansbury, Joseph J. Schreiber Chuck Smith, Clark Vaughan, Clayton Rafe and Lenore Pomerance, Ralph for the vision, labor and love of so many. Page 8 Page 9

March 2007 March 2007 Blackwater Heritage Honoring those that went before us and preserving what they left behind in this magnificent mountain landscape.

Treasured Mountain Memories By Shadowcloud Ingeorge Memory breiding and Honor... 1917 - 2007 of the old jeep roads For someone who couldn’t tell, that the valley, it all looked flat, so you had to take a were under water West Virginian, Naturalist, Educator...... Inspiration grew up in the Guy- view would look but that, sure wasn’t longer way around, to Submitted by Mike Breiding because of the George Breiding, 89, Naturalist and teacher, died Director of Nature Education and Naturalist at Oglebay andotte Valley, and anything like this. I the way it was, once get where you wanted beavers. It didn’t do peacefully at his home in Morgantown on Feb 02, Institute Nature Department, Oglebay Park, in roamed the ridges was thinking, this looks you started walking it. to go. And the word the Game Officers any 2007. He remained alert, active and busy until his Wheeling. During that period he also wrote a weekly along its river, looking more like what you Phooey, you needed to go, meant adventure good, to tear them final moments. nature column in the Wheeling Intelligencer and down upon Canaan would seen on be a mountain goat to to me. down. The beaver was participated in nature education oriented local radio Valley, was a sight to Television, when they get around down there. George was born in Wheeling, WV on August 11, broadcasts. He was also published in the ornithology back building his dam, Its been only a year behold. show some movie There were plenty of 1917. At an early age he developed a love for the journals The Auk and The Wilson Bulletin and popular or two since I drove scenery. In the next the next day. little hills, “flat lander outdoors. He became deeply interested in nature publications such as Wonderful West Virginia Gosh, was my first up to Davis. I took my year, I would come to I spent the days hills”, my new friends study, wildlife and resource conservation, and in Magazine and Bird Watchers Digest expression. My little daughter and Mother know the land, like the before school, learn- called them. Most of particular, ornithology, the study of birds. This interest sister, standing beside to Blackwater Falls was to last a lifetime and he shared it with all those back of my hand. ing the lay of the land, them had never been In 1963 he accepted a position as State Program me, had not spoken. for a Sunday Drive. I he met. Leader for Outdoor Recreation with the WVU Extension and it was mighty easy anywhere other than It took her some time Before school started, wanted to show my Service in Morgantown. He retired in 1979. to get lost with no Davis or Thomas. So to make a sound. “I I made friends with daughter the most He graduated from fence on the land. My to them, the hills that didn’t know, West several of the boys, beautiful place I had Central Catholic High In his lifelong pursuit of furthering his nature were in Canaan Val- ever been, which School in Wheeling and education, George travelled widely. He explored 49 of ley were just “flat “I heard of the efforts of some, to destroy what Mother Nature had so included four years went on to serve as a the 50 states and travelled to Africa, Australia, Costa lander hills”. They were Sergeant in the Army Air in the Navy, traveling Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands. graciously made for mankind to enjoy, the news brought tears to my heart.” used to the Mountains Force from 1941 to 1943 overseas four times. around them. at Lowry Field, Colorado. George used his constantly expanding knowledge to Virginia was this that were growing up in To me, Canaan Valley, George atop Dorsey Knob in 2006. encounter with my He attended the educate others about the world of nature, wildlife and beautiful”, finally she Davis. Soon they were They showed me my and Blackwater Falls, first Black Bear, was University of Denver in resource conservation. His lifelong teaching passion managed to say. I taking me, on the old first view of were the prettiest 1941-42 and graduated Donations in honor of George Breiding’s for me to look at him, was evangelical in scope, longevity and importance agreed, as we stood jeep roads, that their Blackwater Falls, and places I had seen. Not from Ohio State and he touched the lives of thousands of people memory should be sent to: him to look at me, and there taking in, all dads had shown them, soon thereafter were too awful long ago, I University in 1948 with while spreading the gospel of loving, each of us took off in George at Lowry Field in 1943. below us. while taking me on trails, heard of the efforts of a BS in Wildlife Con- understanding and appreciating the world of nature. Oglebay Institute going deer hunting. The different directions. their dads had taken some, to destroy what servation. He went on to work for the Ohio Division of We had spent 7 George Breiding Scholarship Fund old jeep roads winding Canaan Valley was like them on, trails that led Mother Nature had so Conservation and the National Park Service. In his memory a scholarship fund is being hours driving in my 1330 National Road around a treasure chest, over you around the winding graciously made for established for Oglebay Institute’s Junior Nature old 1947 Chevy. And From 1950 to 1963 George held the position of Camp. Wheeling, WV 26003 Canaan Valley floor each hill, a different canyon of the Black- mankind to enjoy, the other than stopping were something else. lay of the land. water River. It was news brought tears to for gas, this the first Standing up on the wild untamed land, my heart. PASSING OF A PIONEER by J. Lawrence Smith stop to look around. Beavers seemed to Mountain and with laurel so thick you Driving across the think, ah a road, I will looking down on the could not crawl thru it, valley floor, you sure build a dam here. Most With the recent death of George Breiding, West Virginia lost a native son who was an interpreter, defender and protector of the rich natural heritage of our state. George was a member of the Friends of Blackwater for many years. I met George in 1957 when I was in high school and he presented a slide program at a meeting of the Brooks Bird Club in Who is Shadowcloud? Charleston. Among the slides were one of prickly pear cactus and a nest of Long-eared Owls. I couldn’t wait to see cactus Shadowcloud is Randell Midkiff, who describes himself as growing growing wild in West Virginia and search for owls! up in the town of Pleasant View in Lincoln County. He says George’s excitement about birds and wildlife was contagious and many persons came under his tutelage when he was Natu- Pleasant View was a small town, home to Guyan Valley High ralist and responsible for nature education at Oglebay Park at Wheeling for many years. As a youth, George was inspired by Naturalist A. B. Brooks School; a town without a sidewalk. He went to Davis in 1964 to at Oglebay and became active in the Brooks Bird Club in its early days. visit his father who was a Union Boilermaker Construction worker He was among the early observers to define the distribution of Swainson’s Warbler in the central Appalachians. In 1944, he discovered the bird on and stayed. As he so beautifully stated, “I fell in love with pure lower slopes of Big Black Mountain in Kentucky. I envied him for his observations of the hybrid offspring of the Golden-winged and Blue-winged Mountain country, its beauty, uncluttered with mankind.” He tells Warbler. On a tract of brushland he owned near Wadestown, Monongalia County, he had the good fortune of finding, on a number of occasions, both me that in 1966 he left Davis to join the Navy where he learned that the Brewster’s and Lawrence’s Warbler. oceans can have mountains, too. Bless you Shadowcloud, for you Rare are persons such as George who can not only communicate the wonders of nature, but inspire “disciples” as well. West Virginia was made possess the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet. richer with his life lived among the mountains and we are now poorer with his passing.

Page 10 - Projects Page 11 March 2007 SOS! Save Our Squirrel! Help Save Blackwater Ginny, the WV Flying Squirrel! Stop Fish and Wildlife’s Crazy Plan! Sign the letter below and send with your comments, Friends of Blackwater, 501 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25311 before April 21, 2007 Re: FWS-2006-0547-0001 To the Fish and Wildlife Service, I am commenting on the Proposed Rule to Remove the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This proposed rule is premature and based on inadequate scientific information. More specifically, • The proposed rule is not based on population studies that show a stable or increasing population of the squirrel. No such studies have been done in the 22 years that the flying squirrel has been listed. • This proposed rule is based on a review which fails to correctly describe the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel’s habitat. Plans by the Forest Service and other public land managers to “permanently protect squirrel habitat” based on this flawed model will not work, and could lead to extinction for the squirrel. • Threats to the squirrel are increasing, as its habitat is strip-mined, logged, and cleared for development, highways and industrial wind projects. The high elevation central Appalachian boreal forest habitat is an endangered ecosystem and is being decimated by acid deposition and the balsam woolly adelgid. Furthermore, climate change may cause direct loss of habitat.. Coming Soon To Please withdraw this proposed rule and continue federal protections and research needed to recover this species. www.saveblackwater.org!

Comments An online form to send your comments about the Squirrel de-listing A chance to tell us why you are interested in the Blackwater Canyon! Inquiring minds want to know. Name Volunteer Opportunities Address Information about upcoming events!

YES! I WANT TO JOIN FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER Choose a membership level and send your name, address, and e-mail to My donations is in memory/honor of: Friends of Blackwater, 501 Elizabeth Street, Charleston WV 25311 ______Porte Crayon Society $1000 Individual______$ 35 Please send card to: Crown Jewel Club $ 500 Senior______$ 20 ______Sustaining Steward $ 250 Student______$ 10 ______Patron______$ 100 Other______Family______$ 50 I want to add my name to the Petition to Protect the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail. Name Add me to your volunteer database. Address Please send future newsletters only via e-mail. Please update my personal information. Phone Please remove me from your mailing list. E-mail Page 12