After a few days’ leave to help with the Maryland Biodiversity Project’s Dan Rock morning flight bird count, I returned to a week where the weather cooperated for outdoor adventures around the Blackwater watershed. When a cold front moved in on Thursday, we saw the first true signs of fall around the Canyon. Winds out […]

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Salamanders of the Blackwater Watershed
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Aaron's Audacious Adventures!
We have begun to release a series of articles about our Naturalist, Aaron Graham and his exploration of the Blackwater Watershed.
He has been surveying different biodiversity hotspots of the area in search of different species of plants and animals. He is an ace photographer and will post pictures of his findings in each edition!



Check Out Our 2022 State of the River Report!
Our Project Coordinator, Frank, has been working on this report for some time now and it's finally ready! Inside you will find information about the health, recreational opportunities, unique plants & animals, and history of the Blackwater Watershed! Click here to give it a read!

We are building a circle of love and protection around the landscapes and communities that we cherish.
Friends of Blackwater works to protect and promote natural beauty, diverse creatures, unique heritage, and the outdoor recreation economy in the Mid-Atlantic Allegheny Highlands -- home to the magnificent, 10,000-acre Blackwater Canyon – West Virginia’s “Scenic Crown Jewel.” Our professional staff and grass-roots citizen advocacy are a strong force for responsible conservation and sustainable progress in the Highlands.
FOB in the Newsroom
- 7/28/22 The Intermountain: Petition fights Corridor H’s Tucker route
- 7/25/22 WBOY: Corridor H petition gets more signatures than populations of Thomas and Davis
- 5/20/22 Cumberland Times: Federal funding will help build new regional trail
- 5/19/22 Crngressman David Trone: $1.2 Million in Federal Funding for the Blackwater Loop and Appalachian Regional Heritage Trail Project
- 5/19/22 WCBC: $1.2 Million in Federal Funding for the Blackwater Loop and Appalachian Regional Heritage Trail Project
- 5/18/22 The Intermountain: Wonders of Water camp coming to Davis
- 5/17/22 Charleston Gazette: $1.2M Appalachian Regional Commission grant will complete Blackwater Loop Trail
- 5/16/22 The Intermountain: Tucker’s Blackwater Loop Trail project receives $1M grant
- 5/12/22 WBOY Clarksburg: New trails aim to boost Tucker County tourism
- 3/23/22 Parsons Advocate: FOB Call To Action On Upper Cheat Timber Project
- 3/11/22 Senator Manchin NCCC Press Release
- 11/10/21 Parsons Advocate: NCCC helps Friends of Blackwater and the West Virginia Land trust
- 6/08/21 Parsons Advocate: Restoring the Blackwater Trail
- 6/07/21 Parsons Advocate: Volunteers Celebrate Earth Day with Camp 70 Road Cleanup
- 5/28/21 Parsons Advocate: Blackwater River Loop Trail Gets Support
- 2/15/21 Parsons Advocate: MKL Weekend food drive raises $5600 for Tucker Food Banks
- 1/09/21 The Intermountain: FOB Thanks Legislators for New River Gorge Designation
- 11/04/20 Parson's Advocate: New Illustrated Signs Highlight Heritage in Davis and Thomas
- 11/02/20 States of Leading News: Governor Justice awards $8.6 million in TARTP Grants in West Virginia
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Aaron’s Audacious Adventures #6
Another short week for me paired with good weather led days filled with field surveys. Bird surveys led to picking through multiple flocks of passerines, a testament that fall is right around the corner, and in my opinion is quite welcome. Places along the Blackwater Rail Trail were abundant with groves of Staghorn Sumac which […]
Aaron’s Audacious Adventures #5
The summer showers in this week of July meant many days being in away to the confines of my office. However, as in life, there were breaks from the storm. Mornings were luckily when many of these breaks occurred, which led to me being able to complete several bird surveys. While many local breeders continued […]
Friends of Blackwater

Friends of Ginny!
Purdue University scientist Elizabeth Flaherty, and her graduate student are learning important new information about the diet of "Ginny", the West Virginia Flying Squirrel.
Blackwater Volunteers
These energetic volunteers are upgrading historic sites in the Blackwater Canyon.
J.R. Clifford
West Virginia’s first African American attorney, who won a historic victory for equality in education. (1848-1933)
Dr. Tom Pauley
Dr. Pauley has studied the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander for 40 years, while raising up new generations of skilled biologists.
Brianna All
Brianna All spent a summer deep in the Monongahela National Forest, monitoring the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel.