Spring is trying very hard to break through the cold, but with some success, it will be very welcome.

I want to remind everyone of the mission of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy:

We “promote, encourage and work for the conservation — including both preservation and wise management — and appreciation of the natural resources of West Virginia and the nation.”  That includes advocacy, education, preservation and protection of our natural world.

So, what exactly does that mean? We focus on many issues, from lawsuits to outings, from hiking guides to coloring books, from student seminars to wilderness hikes, and much more. Our activities span a wide range, which is very challenging. Please support our efforts in this difficult time and help us protect our natural world.

A recent development is the national lawsuit against the EPA to overturn its removal of the “endangerment finding,” which is the basis of climate change law. WVHC is the plaintiff representing the state of West Virginia. You will learn more about the lawsuit on the first page of this issue.

To pivot to education, we have had three successful screenings of the short film produced by WVHC — “Dolly Sods and the Legacy of Helen McGinnis.” This film depicts Helen’s early adventures in Dolly Sods — defining trails, creating maps and swimming in beaver ponds. Her efforts culminated in convincing Congress to declare Dolly Sods a wilderness area. It also highlights the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards program, which has helped educate visitors to the Sods and monitor the backcountry. The film should be available on YouTube and on the Conservancy’s social media channels in the near future.

Our activities vary and span the spectrum of conservation work, and we need your help to continue, through donations of time and money. Thank you to all of you for your support.

See you in the mountains,

Marilyn Shoenfeld 
President 
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy