West Virginia Mountain Odyssey: Outings, Education, and Beyond
Encouraging community engagement, environmental education, and ecological enrichment in the West Virginia Highlands.
The West Virginia Mountain Odyssey Program: Outings, Education and Beyond is an initiative by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy aimed at connecting people with the natural wonders of the West Virginia Highlands and creating a culture of environmental stewardship within local communities. Through outdoor excursions, educational programs, and community engagement, the Mountain Odyssey Program seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of our natural environment and provide opportunities for people to learn about and experience nature.
We invite you to join us for bird walks, guided hikes, paddling trips, snorkeling events, environmental workshops, and to be a part of forest restoration, water quality monitoring, clean-up efforts, and so much more.
Upcoming Events
Bird Walk and Banding Demo + Old Hemlock Farmhouse Tour - July 14
Spend the morning with us at the Old Hemlock property in Preston County for a bird walk, farmhouse museum tour, and optional bird banding demonstration on Sunday, July 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Old Hemlock was the home of George Bird and Kathryn Harris Evans. The Old Hemlock property contains virgin hemlock trees and is maintained in its natural state with multi-age woodlands as a nature and wildlife preserve. The property was added to the National Register of Historic places in 2015.
The excursion will include a gentle bird walk (one mile) through mature and young forest habitat, a tour of the historic house, an overview of George and Kay’s life, a short presentation on the scientific management of 232 acres, and visitors may have an option to stay longer to walk the trails, visit the virgin hemlock forest and watch a bird banding demonstration. This tour will be led by LeJay Graffious, administrator of the Old Hemlock Foundation.
We suggest you bring a bagged lunch. Restrooms are available on the property.
Summer Splash! Paddle the Cheat River - July 28
Beat the heat and join us for a four-mile paddle down the Cheat River on Sunday, July 28! Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or looking to try something new, the Summer Splash is the perfect opportunity to soak in the sunshine, experience the fun of Class I/II rapids, and bask in the magnificence of the mighty Cheat. We will meet at 10 am at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures in Parsons, WV.
After the paddle, light fare will be available from Screech Owl Brewing. Make sure to keep some dry cash in your car for after the float. All of your favorite WVHC merch available for purchase!
Thanks to the support of the American Water Charitable Foundation, we are able to provide a limited number of rentals at no cost. You are also welcome to bring your own boat! Registration is required for this event.
Old-Growth Forest Hike in Watoga State Park- August 10
Calling all hikers and nature enthusiasts! Get ready for an inspiring guided hike through the majestic old-growth forests of Watoga State Park on Sunday, August 10. Watoga State Park is located in the mountains of Pocahontas County and is the largest state park in West Virginia, with nearly 10,100 acres of land. Former Watoga State Park Supervisor Mark Menegle will lead us on a moderately difficult three to four-mile round-trip hike to the old-growth tract.
As much as we love hiking with our furry friends, no pets are permitted on this hike.
Old-Growth Forest Hike and Tree Survey in Tucker County - August 17
Hike to the site of the proposed Upper Cheat River timbering project in the Monongahela National Forest near Parsons, West Virginia, and learn about the old-growth characteristics of this site from ecologist and local resident John Coleman of Speak For The Trees Too. We will meet at the Horseshoe Recreation and Campground Area Day Use parking lot at 10 a.m.
The hike will involve measuring trees to determine their age. A small grove of trees documented in this area are over 200 years old. The hike will require a 0.5 mile hike up a steep ridge. Total time for hike and survey 2-3 hours. We suggest you bring a bagged lunch!
Old-Growth Forest Hike at Audra State Park - November 9
Visit the old-growth tract in Audra State Park near Phillipi, West Virginia, on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The old-growth tract here is easily reached and explored. Naturalist and ecologist Doug Wood will lead this hike.
Registration link forthcoming.
This program is supported by the American Water Charitable Foundation.