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Snap Shots a Snap Shot of Last Year!

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Snap Shots a Snap Shot of Last Year! 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Snap Shots A snap shot of last year! © Kent Mason Simple Gifts, and Lasting Ones I pulled up to a Starbucks drive-thru one evening to fuel myself for a road trip to a conservation site. As I fumbled for cash, the double windows opened and the cheerful barista leaned forward with my beverage. “It’s already paid for, by the person who was in front of you,” she said. Tail lights were leaving the lane, turning away from my destination; no chance to thank this thoughtful person. “OK, I’ll pay for the person behind me,” I said. “Nobody else is in line,” she responded. “But try it some other time.” That random anonymous act of ACCREDITATION kindness, and the coffee, warmed me for the rest of the drive. The West Virginia Land Trust has been similarly warmed this year by generous ACHIEVEMENT contributions from people we don’t know personally – and one who is totally anonymous – who have called us up to say that they have heard of our work and want to help After a year of rigorous conserve West Virginia’s Special Places by directing portions of their retirement accounts to us. We are humbled! And if that anonymous donor whose bank wired us retirement preparation and review, funds, but would not reveal the source, is reading this: Know that we’re thankful. To all the West Virginia Land who have given: We aim to continue to make you proud of what you are making possible in our beloved West Virginia hills. Trust was awarded This annual report recaps some of the highlights from 2016 that you, our supporters, national accreditation have accomplished with us. You’ll see that the Land Trust brings conservation skill to other organizations around the state, responding to local interests, and casting a wide net in 2016! around West Virginia’s highly diverse roster of special places. From a Civil War site to an ancient forest grove to Ohio River islands, and on to projects that protect water quality and A Mark of Distinction recreational access and nature preserves and rare habitat and farm land, our staff fans The accreditation seal out all over the state to secure valuable places for posterity. We’re proud to be doing this with our newly-minted national accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance, which offers a AFFIRMS national quality “gold seal” for the highest levels of conservation practices and standards for land trusts. standards are met. Anonymity works for donors, but not so well for an organization. After you read this newsletter, we’ll thank you if you’ll pass it along to friends or relatives who don’t know about us yet. Sound Finances We’d like to become more of a household name, and despite all the wonders of technology and marketing, West Virginia’s tradition of word-of-mouth communication remains the most Ethical Conduct valuable means of connecting with fellow Mountaineers, wherever they may be. Just for the record: The next time I went to a Starbucks drive-thru, Responsible Governance I paid for the person behind me. Felt great. Lasting Stewardship Happy reading! LandtrustAccreditation.org Brent Bailey Ph.D. WV Land Trust Executive Director LAND PROTECTION OHIO RIVER ISLANDS CAMP BARTOW Two islands in the Ohio River were donated to the West A Civil War site in Pocahontas County, scene of the Battle Virginia Land Trust by the City of Gallipolis and a private of Greenbrier River in 1861, was purchased by WVLT and landowner, Michael Hoeft. These islands will be protected will be developed with partners for public visitation. The by the organization as essential habitat for fish, mussels, 14-acre tract lies in the heart of the battlefield and fronts bird, and other animals for years to come. Because the the historic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, once a major islands are partially submerged after years of erosion east-west route across Virginia. due to river traffic, the land trust will work with USFWS and other partners to stabilize stream banks, restore The site overlooks the East Fork Greenbrier River and the habitat, and expand the surface area of the islands. This historic “Travellers Repose,” a prominent 19th century land protection effort will also improve water quality and inn. The protected property contains a grove of large maintain the ecosystems that offer public recreational white oak trees shading well-preserved Confederate opportunities for people in the Ohio River Valley. earthworks and two impressive artillery “lunettes.” As a bonus, this hilltop was the campground of the 31st Virginia Infantry, a storied regiment with local ties. Tent pads and JONES TRACT other surface features remain visible. A 190-acre tract with a grove of old-growth forest in Camp Bartow and the Battle of Greenbrier River (October Doddridge County will be forever protected as the Marie Hall 3, 1861) played key roles in the First Campaign of America’s Jones Ancient Forest Preserve, after Allen Jones donated Civil War. The action here helped pave the way to West the property to WVLT. This exceptional Appalachian mixed Virginia statehood and lay boundaries for the new state. hardwood forest includes black walnut, a variety of oaks, The West Virginia Land Trust worked with partners and maples, hickories, birch, basswood, and yellow poplar, donors to protect the site, including the Pocahontas among others. The property includes a flat floodplain County Commission, Civil War Trust, West Virginia Division meadow, slopes with mature mixed hardwood forests, and of Highways, First Energy Foundation, and other local near the top of the ridge, on steep slopes, between 15 and contributors. This ongoing conservation project will offer 20 acres of impressive ancient trees. new public access and interpretation. Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. -Aldo Leopold Save the Date: JONES TRACT A celebration and hike is scheduled for June 11, 2017. LAND PROTECTION CAMP BARTOW A celebration and tour is scheduled for August 12, 2017. Oak River Islands, ©Kent Mason Photography GAY EASEMENT In December, Shirley and Cliff Gay together with the West In addition to the donors, the land trust worked with the Virginia Land Trust placed a conservation easement that West Virginia University’s Land Use and Sustainable protects their 14-acre property on Knobley Mountain, Development Law Clinic to protect the property. The near Petersburg. The easement includes an agreement Law Clinic works with the Land Trust to provide law that the property’s unique natural features are protected students with hands on experience in property law and from future development. conservation transactions. Rock outcrops on the property overlook North Fork The West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund Mountain, Dolly Sods, and the Monongahela National was a key partner in this transaction by contributing Forest. The property hosts rare plants associated with monetary support for a stewardship endowment which dry limestone glades, a habitat found in only a few West supports the long-term monitoring of the property. The Virginia counties. West Virginia Legislature created the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund to invest in the conservation of unique In a survey conducted by the West Virginia Division and important wildlife habitat, natural areas, forest lands, of Natural Resources, the agency identified 13 rare, farmland, and lands for hunting, fishing and recreation. threatened, or endangered plants growing on the property. One wildflower, Smokehole bergamot, is found nowhere else in the world except a few locations in eastern West Virginia and Virginia. Gay Easement Property, ©Kent Mason Photography Partnership “It protects a treasure Projects (Needles Eye Boulder Park), not just for West Virginia, but for our nation. It is strikingly beautiful.” -Bill Hannabass, City Manager, Oak Hill • GREENBRIER CLIFFS • GUYANDOTTE WATER TRAIL A long-awaited plan to protect the Greenbrier Cliffs came The Guyandotte Water Trail Alliance was recently awarded a to fruition in late April when the New River Conservancy, in $125,000 Recreational Trails grant from the WV Department partnership with the Greenbrier Land Conservation Trust, led of Highways. Written by Guyandotte Water Trail Alliance an effort to protect 250 acres overlooking the Greenbrier River (GWTA) VISTA, Kody Crawford, the money will be used to Trail and the Spice Run Wilderness Area in Greenbrier and design and develop five public access sites (“put-ins”) in the Pocahontas counties. The West Virginia Land Trust contributed upper Guyandotte watershed, the latest section of the river to be $30,000 to the New River Conservancy, which used those funds designated as an official West Virginia Water Trail. The GWTA as a required match in its effort to secure additional funding is a partnership that includes the WVLT and has benefitted from through a grant from the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage WVLT-developed connections with West Virginia University, Conservation Fund. particularly professor Vaike Haas’s landscape architecture classes who have helped with access site design. Other groups involved with protecting the property include, Greenbrier River Watershed Association, WVU Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, and the Balogh family. • MRTC COLLINS FERRY CONNECTOR TRAIL Proceeds from the 2016 and 2015 Blue Jean Ball (in partnership with Mon River Trails Conservancy) will support the Collins • NEEDLES EYE BOULDER PARK (OAK HILL) Ferry Connector Trail in Morgantown. WVLT is working with the City of Oak Hill to purchase Needleseye Boulder Park, a 300-acre destination for outdoor adventure tourism, from the Berwind Land Company. “This will attract a huge number of people. It will enhance our tourism industry and help the City of Oak Hill economically,” said Bill Hannabass, City Manager. “It protects a treasure, not just for West Virginia, but for our nation. It is strikingly beautiful.” Packed with natural rock features, the site will be a draw for The Collins Ferry Connector Trail is a 1/2 mile trail linking bouldering, a type of rock climbing where climbers scale boulders the Suncrest and Collins Ferry Road neighborhoods to the without using a harness.
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