The nonprofit needs to receive fundraising pledges by August 15 to remain in contract and must raise $1.5 million by September 9, 2024 to save
Appalachian forest in West Virginia
The Arc of Appalachia land conservancy has launched an emergency campaign to purchase and save the 1,200-acre Wild Rock Canyon forest wilderness in West Virginia that lies 12 miles east of New River Gorge National Park. The nonprofit has until September 9 to raise the $1,500,000 asking price to purchase the property. $800,000 has been raised so far from individual donors.
Wild Rock Canyon’s steep-side ravine spans 1000 feet from ridge to canyon floor, and the forest is outlined with 12 miles of boundaries. For thirty years, the Arc of Appalachia has been saving the most intact forests remaining in Appalachian Ohio. Its most recent endeavor to buy land in West Virginia represents a significant expansion of the conservancy’s vision, as it pursues creating a network of forest preserves across the Appalachian heartland of both Ohio and West Virginia. Wild Rock Canyon is the first acquisition project to take them across the Ohio River.
“Never have we seen a forest for sale that was so large, affordable in price, intact and drenched with wildlife. Did we mention bears? Wild Rock Canyon has a stunning number of bears!” said Arc of Appalachia Director Nancy Stranahan. “To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to unite the forests of southern Ohio and West Virginia in a focused preservation region. Of the Arc of Appalachia’s 28 existing preserves in Ohio, only one is larger than 1,200 acres.”
The Arc of Appalachia was attracted to expand its work into West Virginia because of the state’s vast reserves of forest land. According to Stranahan, “West Virginia has the third highest density of forest cover in the nation, and relatively low population levels.”
The Arc of Appalachia is a nonprofit that has protected 11,115 acres of the Great Eastern Forest in southern Appalachian Ohio that once covered the eastern third of the country. To make a contribution or learn more visit www.arcofappalachia.org/wild.
