The Conservation Fund purchased more than 32,000 acres in Logan, Lincoln and Mingo Counties in early 2016 through its Working Forest Fund® program and sustainably managed it as working forestland during its temporary ownership. Funding from the Wildlife Restoration Program allowed for 10,922 acres to be transferred to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources in late 2016, and for the recent protection of an added 22,140 acres. Additional funding was provided by the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund, Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Acres for America program, the Knobloch Family Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and dedicated wildlife funds from DNR. These lands will provide public, wildlife-associated recreation, timber jobs, and a variety of conservation benefits.
“These critical land protection efforts in West Virginia, in conjunction with simultaneous elk restoration efforts, are a testament to the conservation mindset of the WVDNR,” explained Steven Dobey, Eastern Conservation Program Manager for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. “RMEF is proud to partner with DNR as they strive to protect habitat for elk and other wildlife, while securing over 32,000 acres for permanent public access.”
Go here to read the full news release from the Conservation Fund.