We strive to protect public lands for habitat conservation, public recreation, biodiversity preservation, and the economic value that they provide.
The Underground Injection Public Hearing on March 5th in Parsons was a success! Over 50 concerned members of the public showed up at the Tucker Co Board of Education Gym. People came from Morgantown, Charles Town, Kingwood, Cheat Lake, and all over Tucker County. 15 of these attendees spoke up, voicing their opposition to this […]
Your comments and signatures (almost 1,500!) on FOB’s injection well petition that accompanied our comments objecting to this waste disposal have led to a public hearing regarding this permit renewal. What: Public hearing concerning the permit application for UIC Permit 2D09300081 Where: Tucker County Board of Education Auxiliary Gym 100 Education Lane, Parsons, WV […]
Friends of Blackwater is excited to support a bill that would permanently fund State Parks! Public lands are such a valuable part of West Virginia- they generate nearly $250 in annual economic significance, protect thousands and thousands of acres of unique and beautiful habitat, provide top notch recreational activities, preserve cultural history, and so much […]
In June of 2019, Friends of Blackwater, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy filed objections to a large-scale timbering proposal for 171,579 acres on the Monongahela National Forest located near White Sulfur Springs– called the “Panther Ridge Habitat Enhancement Project.” On November 21, 2019, the Forest Service filed their response, […]
Congratulations to Joe Dumire for receiving the Friends of Blackwater Volunteer of the Year award! Joe has been a tremendous help with the heritage preservation work that FOB does in Tucker County. A Thomas resident, Joe knows the ins and outs of this town’s local history and worked tirelessly to help FOB curate and install […]
Pinnacle Rock State Park is located in Mercer County at the very southern tip of West Virginia. The park was established in 1938 when 26 acres of land were bought for the public interest by the Conservation Commission. Additional land has been purchased and added to the state park over the past decades with the […]
Friends of Blackwater has officially submitted comments to the West Virginia Department of Highways, concerning the proposed Corridor H route from Davis to Parsons, WV. We have objected to the route that runs in between Davis and Thomas for a number of reasons: -Virginia Big Eared bats are an endangered bat species have been found […]
We love our outdoor spaces and know how important they are! Not only are they a source of vast natural beauty and wonder, but they’re also a huge economic driver for our state. In 2017 alone, West Virginia’s 8 national park units added nearly $84 million to the state’s economy! Sadly, though, our parks are […]
Walk along the main street in Thomas, WV and you will no doubt be distracted by the unique art that decorates the windows of the many galleries that call Front Street home. If you pause in front of Bloom (formerly Lamplight), artist Rosalie Haizlett’s illustrated map of Blackwater Falls State Park might draw you in, […]
On October 2nd, S.569 (the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This bill would provide permanent re-authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a key program which has provided funds to parks, forests, and public lands throughout […]
