Tag: West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

Geospatial Professionals Raise Awareness About Their Field

Geospatial professionals gathered at the West Virginia Capitol on Wednesday to raise public awareness about their field.

Geospatial professionals from across West Virginia gathered at the Capitol today to teach the public about their field.

Geospatial science is colloquially known as the study of “where,” and examines geography trends. Plus, it can be applied across industries, according to Taryn Moser, state geographic information system (GIS) coordinator with the West Virginia Office of GIS Coordination.

“We are not just maps,” Moser explained. “We work in real estate. We work in banking and business. We work in the DNR. There’s a wide spectrum of disciplines here today, and a wide spectrum of geographic data within the state of West Virginia.”

Today’s displays showed how geospatial science helps professionals make informed decisions in fields like geology and meteorology. Meryl Friedrich, who works for the Division of Natural Resources, said it even helps identify regional trends in wildlife conservation.

“We’ve been doing a lot of citizen science surveys, where we allow the public to report any animals that they see,” Friedrich explained. “Specifically, box turtles, fireflies, hellbenders and mud puppies and river otters are the ones we’re looking at now.”

Friedrich said that the DNR uses geospatial science to analyze trends in citizen science reporting. “It’s really great to get the public involved in those projects,” she added.

Moser and Friedrich both said they hope today’s session helped West Virginians better understand the geospatial resources and opportunities available to them. To view some of these resources, residents can visit the Office of GIS Coordination website.

Free Hatfield-McCoy Trail Passes On West Virginia Day

On West Virginia Day, June 20, state residents can ride free on the Hatfield-McCoy trail system.

Fire up your ATV next Tuesday, for a holiday-inspired free day on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

On West Virginia Day, June 20, state residents can ride free on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system. The only other option, an annual permit, would usually cost $26.50.  

Trail passes will be available to residents who present a valid West Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID at Hatfield-McCoy trailhead locations, the Welcome Center and the Country Roads Visitors Center.

West Virginia Day passes are not available at local retailers and are only valid on June 20, 2023.

All Hatfield-McCoy Trails regulations will apply to all riders and note that West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) police officers will be out on the trails checking for permits.

For a listing of free day pass locations, click here. 

Bobwhite Quail Return To West Virginia

Officials from the West Virginia’s Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that an extinct species native to West Virginia were restored.

Last week 48 bobwhite quail were reintroduced to southern West Virginia from Texas. They were released in the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area in Logan and Mingo Counties.

According to a press release, the species was wiped out during West Virginia’s harsh winters of 1977, 78 and 79. A team from the state’s Department of Natural Resources is using transmitters to monitor the quail’s survival and habitat use.

Credit Office of Gov. Jim Justice
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Logan Klingler, DNR wildlife manager, helps Gov. Jim Justice release the bobwhite quail into the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area.

The plan has been in the works for a couple years at Governor Jim Justice’s urging, according to the release. 

Four years ago, a similar restoration program unfolded at the wildlife management area with the release of elk from Kentucky. The area is made up of mostly reclaimed strip mines in the state’s Southern Coalfields.

This story is part of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Southern Coalfields Reporting Project which is supported by a grant from the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.

 

Local Foods Featured at State Park Dinners

A series of nine Farm-to-Table dinners are being planned at state parks across West Virginia. The series of events, planned between June 15 and September 12, is aimed to source more ingredients from local farmers.

Several state agencies and organizations are collaborating on the series, including the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, and the West Virginia Farmers Market Association.

This is the second year the series of Farm to Table dinners will take place.

The dinners will take place at state park restaurants, putting locally grown foods and products on the menu from June to September.

Several of the events will have themes such as “Hoedown on the Hill” at the Chief Logan State Park and “Pickin-Pull” at the Pipestem park in an effort to teach people about their local foods.

Full list of Farm-to-Table events:

40,000 Golden Trout Stocked Across W.Va. This Week

Beginning April 1, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources is stocking golden rainbow trout in 55 lakes and streams across the state for a special event called the “Gold Rush.”

According to a press release by the DNR, the agency expects to stock about 40,000 golden rainbow trout during this week of special stockings. The biggest release takes place Saturday, April 6th.

West Virginia’s fishing season is already underway and runs through May 31. But before casting their line, anglers must have a 2019 fishing license. 

Some of the stocking locations during the “Gold Rush” are along rivers, including Blackwater River, Cranberry River and Greenbrier River. Twelve state parks will also be stocked, including Babcock,  Pipestem, Stonewall Resort and Watoga.

To see the full list of locations where fish stocking is taking place this week, click here. 

W.Va. to Get $11.6M for Fish, Wildlife Restoration

West Virginia’s U.S. senators say the state will get $11.6 million in federal funding for its wildlife programs.

According to Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will receive $8.1 million for wildlife restoration and $3.5 million for sport fish restoration from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

They say the funding will help ensure protection of the state’s wildlife, which is part of its natural beauty.

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