Brianna All spent a summer deep in the Monongahela National Forest, monitoring the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel. Friends of Blackwater is a non-profit conservation organization working in the West Virginia Allegheny Highlands to protect wild lands, special landscapes, and natural and human communities; and to support sustainable economic development that maximizes biodiversity. She helps with watershed projects, trail work, and creating outreach material. Judy Rodd is our executive director, and has run Friends of Blackwater since 2000. She has a B.S. To help keep this history alive, we at Friends of Blackwater are busy year-round. CommunitySee All. This […], The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Mining and Reclamation, 47 School Street, Suite 301, Philippi, WV 26416, will hold an online Public Hearing from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 as result of the comments and petition signatures submitted by Friends of Blackwater and you! The New River Gorge will become the 63rd National Park, the first in West Virginia, and the 20th National Preserve in […], PO Box 247 571 Douglas Rd Thomas WV 26292 304-345-7663, Connect with Friends of Blackwater at these upcoming special events, Friends of Blackwater is a 501(c)3 non-profit working to protect the Blackwater Canyon and Allegheny Highlands region, Click on each of the images to learn more about our projects. Learn more about how you can join, donate, or volunteer with us. 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. She has a background in environmental education, sustainability, and watershed mitigation. Ruling year info. We are still building this section, so if you are a contributor and don't see your logo yet, don't worry. Sarah studied Contemporary Photography at Shepherd University and has a graduate degree in photojournalism from Corcoran College of Art + Design. Together with our partners, we provide vital fundraising, volunteer, and advocacy support to help make Blackwater NWR one of the best refuges in America's National Wildlife Refuge System. Allegheny Highlands Climate Change Impacts Initiative, 11/4 Parson's Advocate: New Illustrated Signs Highlight Heritage in Davis and Thomas, 11/2 States of Leading News: Governor Justice awards $8.6 million in TARTP Grants in West Virginia, 10/13 Parsons Advocate: Historic Engineering Building in Thomas is On the Rise, 9/28 Parsons Advocate: Gov. If you prefer to donate by check, you can mail your contribution to PO Box 247, Thomas WV 26292. You can explore historic sites, and learn hidden stories from the past, in a one-hour live, interactive Zoom webinar with historian David Vago on a webinar that was hosted on October 29th- click here to view the recording of this educational […], Friends of Blackwater was recently awarded a grant from the National Forest Foundation to begin the Blackwater Rail Trail Botanical Restoration project. Friends of Blackwater Exclusive Membership - $130 1 Year Individual Membership, 1 Tshirt, 1 FOB Tote, 1 Kent Mason Photography Book, 1 Purple Lizard Map, 1 Small Stuffed Bat and 1 Ginny Ornament. (1848-1933). He has run his own computer business and has worked with non-profits across West Virginia. Tucker County, West Virginia has a rich heritage of railroading, coal mining, and timbering. The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit citizens support group founded in 1987, assisting Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, and the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex to carry out their educational, interpretive, and public use missions. These energetic volunteers are upgrading historic sites in the Blackwater Canyon. Friends of Blackwater is a non-profit conservation organization that works to protect the Blackwater River Watershed, sponsors the West Virginia Center on Climate Change, runs the JR Clifford Project, promotes Tucker County Heritage and History, and safeguards Endangered Species and the Allegheny Highlands. 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 … John Brown is Friends of Blackwater’s technical consultant. Studies from Ithaca College. Friends of Blackwater have a brand new set of signs currently standing in Davis City Park near the pavilion, uses historic photos and maps to show the evolution of the sawmill complex that sat between the Blackwater River and the Town. Pam was a tremendous help this past fall as FOB began the botanical restoration project along the Blackwater Rail Trail. Organizes tours and volunteer opportunities in Blackwater Canyon including water testing, tree planting, hiking, biking and history tours. AboutSee All. Allegheny Highlands Climate Change Impacts Initiative. The Friends of Blackwater NWR share videos from our live Osprey Cam and Eagle Cam, as well as videos of Refuge wildlife and scenery. She has a B.S. 13,068 people like this. You can check out our current newsletter below, or catch up on all the past Friends of Blackwater news by clicking the button. Friends of Blackwater NWR. The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit citizens support group founded in 1987, assisting Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, and the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex to carry out their educational, interpretive, and public use missions. She has an M.S. The rich history of the Blackwater Canyon region is an inspiring par... t of today’s vibrant Highlands culture. Cheyenne Carter is FOB's Executive Assistant. 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. 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 … Nearby Attractions: Bear Heaven Recreation Area (USDA Forest Service) Parsons, WV 304-478-3251; 304-478-2000, ext. Supporters at Cheat Fest sign a photo petition with Ginny the flying squirrel, to help save Blackwater Canyon. These people and their stories are a part of Friends of Blackwater. in biology from Berry College. She supports our heritage restoration and education programs. Friends of Blackwater is dedicated to the promotion and protection of the Blackwater Canyon area. We design and … The original plan was for Emmie, Cheyenne, and I to dig up all the holes and place the signs in by ourselves. in Env. 709 Followers, 153 Following, 21 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Friends of Blackwater (@friendsofblackwater) The following groups have contributed financially to our work. Today, non-native “invasive species” like autumn olive, stilt weed, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, Tartarian honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry are choking out native plants like milkweed, an essential host for migrating Monarch butterflies. The rich history of the Blackwater Canyon region is an inspiring par... t of today’s vibrant Highlands culture. To help keep this history alive, we at Friends of Blackwater are busy year-round. We design and install interpretive signs, lead walks, and sponsor fun heritage programs about the Highlands -- and the unique towns of Thomas and Davis, WV. 4 check-ins. Use the button below to send us a message. The conference may […]. 14,004 people follow this. Emmie Cornell is Friends of Blackwater's Director of Field Operations and Watershed. The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit citizens support group founded in 1987, assisting Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, and the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex to carry out their educational, interpretive, and public use missions. She volunteered on several Wednesday mornings and tagged many of the invasive species that were later cut down and […], On December 28th, Friends of Blackwater and 66 signees submitted the following petition language to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, requesting an increase in protection for three WV freshwater mussel species: “The long-solid and round hickory-nut mussels are on the brink of extinction, and have been forced out of most of their habitat due […], Friends of Blackwater is congratulating West Virginia Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Capito, and Congressperson Carol Miller, for including the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act in the year-end legislative package. FOB is a charitable non-profit organization committed to protecting the Blackwater Canyon, defending endangered and threatened species, preserving local heritage, and restoring unique ecosystems. New River Gorge receives National Park designation. The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit citizens support group founded in 1987, assisting Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, and the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex to carry out their educational, interpretive, and public use missions. We'd love to hear from you! in Recreation and Parks from West Virginia University, and has been working as an environmental educator and advocate since 1985. The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit citizens support group for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Cambridge, Maryland. PO Box 247 571 Douglas Rd Thomas WV 26292 304-345-7663. 0. Caring and courageous people are the key to effective environmental stewardship. from Fairmont State University and a passion for preserving Appalachian history! West Virginia’s first African American attorney, who won a historic victory for equality in education. Her relevant experience is in climate advocacy, environmental education, and field work. Dr. Pauley has studied the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander for 40 years, while raising up new generations of skilled biologists. We publish a quarterly newsletter full of great articles, full color photos, and more. Purdue University scientist Elizabeth Flaherty, and her graduate student are learning important new information about the diet of "Ginny", the West Virginia Flying Squirrel. Won't you join us by giving a tax deductible gift before the end of the year? When not helping Friends of Blackwater, he teaches middle school science. Congratulations to Pam Lutz for receiving the Friends of Blackwater’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year award! New Massive National Forest Upper Cheat Timbering Project. Justice Visits Blackwater Lodge for State Park Announcement, 9/22 Parsons Advocate: Friends of Blackwater Request Support from Town of Davis, 9/22 Parsons Advocate: National Bank of Davis listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 8/7 WV Legals: Request for Proposals for Blackwater Loop Trail Design Services, 6/1 Gazette-Mail: $27M in Abandoned Mine Lands grants fund trails, campgrounds on former sites across WV, Tucker County WV Railroad Heritage Webinar Recording, Rail Trail Botanical Restoration Volunteering Opportunities, Keystone NPDES Online Public Hearing September 16th, FOB Submits Comments to Protect WV Freshwater Mussels. Read More. Alicia has a B.A. The Friends of Blackwater is a non-profit citizens support group founded in 1987, assisting Blackwat... See More. We are excited to continue and expand this work in 2021- but we can't do it without your help. As well as being the director, Judy handles much of the grants and fundraising.