Dig deeper at nature.org/explorewv THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN west virginiaFALL/WINTER 2015 NEWSLETTER Sprucing Things Up a Bit Restorative e orts like spruce plantings and invasives removal revitalize landscape BY JESSICA KEITH n at least one occasion this past summer, Ben Rhodes could be found literally crawling through dense hardwoods in Othe Upper Greenbrier River watershed, eyeing the forest fl oor’s potential. Rhodes is on a mission to restore the state’s red spruce forests. The ecological restoration coordinator for The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia, Rhodes says red spruce once was a dominant forest type in the area, and proof of that is littered all over the forest fl oor. “There are thousands of seedlings and saplings waiting to be what we call ‘released’,” Rhodes says. “If we can open up the canopy and get them some sun, they’ll grow at a rate of 12, maybe 18 inches per year.” By managing competing trees, Rhodes and his fi eld crew are setting the stage for a spruce revival, and that’s good news says Mike Powell, land conservation practitioner for the Conservancy in West Virginia. “Red spruce once covered about 1.3 million acres of the state’s highlands,” Powell says. “Today, only about 55,000 acres remain.” Red spruce forests provide habitat for 240 rare plant and animal species. These forests once IN THIS ISSUE covered the peaks and plateaus of West Virginia’s high country but were decimated by logging 2 Director’s Message and fi res in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Standing 60–90 feet high and two to four feet in 3 LEAF Program diameter, the trees were highly prized for their construction value, thus sealing their fate. 4 Restorative E orts Returning this forest type to its rightful place in the landscape is just one way the Conservancy is 6-7 Human Nature working to restore vitality to lands and waters in West Virginia and beyond. Cover: The Nature Conservancy’s Ecological Restoration Team has removed Japanese knotweed along the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, a popular fi shing destination. © KENT MASON See RESTORATIVE EFFORTS, Page 4 DIRECTOR’STITLE MESSAGE WEST VIRGINIA ou know us as an organization that pro- BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ytects lands and waters through exciting deals. This issue of your Nature Conservancy Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., Chair in West Virginia newsletter features our work to restore some of the state’s most valuable Joyce McConnell, Chair-Elect natural areas. Robert Nutting, Vice Chair Management and restoration work is no small Robert O. Orders, Jr., Vice Chair feat and is equally as important as our protec- Pamela Byrne, Treasurer tion agreements. It requires forethought, Benjamin A. Hardesty, science and numerous partners to develop the Immediate Past Chair type of large-scale e orts that will endure in the face of such threats as climate change, unsus- Thomas Minney © LEEANN SHREVE/TNC Edward C. Armbrecht, III tainable development and invasive species. Kevin Ellis The threats are real and serious, but not insurmountable. With time, determi- David W. Gerhardt nation and more than a little sweat equity, we’re seeing results that leave me James E. Grey inspired and optimistic. Thomas C. Hulsey I’m confi dent you’ll read the pages of this newsletter and come away with a Frank Jezioro sense of hope, too. The articles shine a light on how we’re rising over incredible challenges to provide a stronghold for nature in West Virginia, which is of value Robert E. Lannan to so many in our state and beyond. W. Henry Lawrence I give thanks to you, our members, for your role in achieving these successes. Gifts Britt Ludwig received through campaigns such as Adopt-an-Acre or Plant a Billion Trees are Brooks F. McCabe, Jr. helping to restore forests in West Virginia and throughout the Central Appalachians. Daniel A. Weekley Other donations are being used to treat harmful invasive species that are choking the forests and rivers we all love. Some of you have demonstrated support of our Catherine G. Abbott, Emerita work through your involvement with our Corporate Council (see more on page 8), Edward C. Armbrecht, Jr., Emeritus and you’ll also read in this newsletter about individuals to whom we’re grateful Judith D. Dumke, Emerita for giving a trade land gift (see more on page 6). Charles Jones, Emeritus Whatever the means, we’re honored you’ve selected the Conservancy as a benefi ciary. We value what it takes for you to make a contribution and we will Ronald R. Potesta, Emeritus work just as hard to ensure your gift is used wisely. As the year comes to a close and you extend your generosity, we ask that you rea rm your commitment Printed on 90% recycled (including 30% to nature. PCW), process chlorine-free paper, creating the following benefi ts: We need your help more than ever to cover costs for important conservation work, such as restoration of public and private lands in and around the Monongahela 5 trees preserved for the future National Forest. Often, we can help leverage federal funding by o ering a match. 8.7 lbs water-borne waste not created For example, by contributing $60,000, the Conservancy can help trigger nearly 155.5 lbs solid waste not generated $500,000 in federal funding for this project. Through matching gift opportunities such as this and others, we’re able to increase the impact of your gift. 428 lbs net greenhouse gases prevented Please give online today at nature.org/donatewv or simply use the return envelope included in this newsletter. Yours in Conservation, The Nature Conservancy is a private, nonprofi t 501(c)(3) international membership organiza- Thomas Minney tion. Its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. State Director The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia The Nature Conservancy meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability established P.S. We’re thrilled to announce that your West Virginia news will now be stitched by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is a national charity watchdog into each issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. Please be on the lookout for a¡ liated with the Better Business Bureau. that informational insert, beginning with the Dec/Jan issue. 2FALL/WINTER 2015 LEAF PROGRAM Budding Scientist Credits Conservancy’s LEAF Program Student says experience in West Virginia helped shape her career path BY JESSICA KEITH seven years has supervised more than when we couldn’t believe we were up rancine Camacho says she was 25 LEAF students. “They’re getting early during our summer break!” she F16 years old the fi rst time she hands-on experience and fi nding out says. “He was the fi rst person I’d ever really experienced a landscape other about career opportunities in this met who loved waking up in the than that of Brooklyn, NY, where she fi eld that they may not otherwise morning to go to work, and he inspired grew up. have considered.” me to have a career doing something I love—not just a job to pay the bills.” “I loved animals, and playing in parks, Powell says he’s been impressed by all but I never knew anything but the of the students, but it’s a memory of The type of work Camacho and her concrete jungle,” she says. Camacho in particular that stands out. fellow LEAF students assisted the Conservancy in West Virginia with in Francine was in 10th grade when she “We were on our hands and knees, 2009 is similar to the projects tackled heard about The Nature Conservancy’s looking for a Cheat Mountain by the program’s students in recent Leaders for Environmental Action for salamander—a pretty elusive creature,” years—ecological monitoring, trail the Future (LEAF) program, which he says. “It was late and everyone else maintenance, invasive species control, provides paid summer internships for wanted to wrap up, but she was red spruce restoration and more. students in nature across the nation, determined to go a bit longer. Sure including West Virginia. Participants enough, her perseverance paid o “They’re playing a key role in our hail from urban areas and attend high and she spotted her salamander.” restoration and management e orts,” schools that specialize in science and Camacho says she credits Mike’s Powell says. “So we’re all benefi tting.” environmental studies. mentorship for infl uencing her future Above: LEAF student Francine Camacho in 2009 Now a Ph.D. candidate in Quantitative career path. in West Virginia © KENT MASON; Below: Land and Computational Biology at Conservation Practitioner Mike Powell with “His enthusiasm defi nitely helped us LEAF students at Cranesville Swamp Preserve Princeton University, Camacho says stay motivated and on task, especially © KENT MASON the time she spent in West Virginia during the summer of 2009 was transformative. “I can still remember the sights, smells and overall feelings I had,” Camacho says. “The program made me inter- ested in science and conservation.” Mike Powell, land conservation practitioner for the Conservancy in West Virginia, says LEAF is a powerful way to introduce students to nature because it supplements environmen- tal education in the classroom with real-world experiences. “We’re helping to introduce really bright students to environmental issues,” says Powell, who over the last The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia | nature.org/explorewv¥3 RESTORATIVETITLE EFFORTS RESTORATIVE EFFORTS from Page 1 “Today’s challenges, like climate change, large-scale land use changes and invasive species, mean that we need to think about conserving and restoring lands and waters at a much larger scale if we want our work to stand the test of time and have value for people,” says Thomas Minney, executive director of the Conservancy in West Virginia.