From the Field

Mountain Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Paint Creek Scenic Trail

Mountain RC&D has received a DoT grant of $80,000 to develop a corridor management plan for the Paint Creek Scenic Trail. An engineering firm has been contracted to assist with the development of the plan.
Two public meeting were held in August for local input and community projects are now being identified for inclusion in the plan. The trail is a DoT by-way/back-way project that runs from Tamarack in Raleigh County to the Kanawha River in Kanawha County.
 

White Oak Rail to Trail

The White Oak Rail to Trail includes a 6.2 mile Rail/Trail Right of Way that was purchased from Northfork and Southern RR July 2004. Two miles of the trail will soon be fully ADA compliant--grading and paving is currently underway. The next phase of the Oak Hill, WV trail enhancement is in design status.

For more information contact Mike Gasper at the Mountain RC&D Office.

The Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Some current projects are:

• Potomac Water Watch This project is focusing on Fish Kills, Intersex, Emerging Contaminants, and Endocrine Disruptors
  Purpose:
  1. Better inform public on fish kills and intersex in Potomac watershed
  2. Solicit public’s help in better reporting fish kills and diseases
  3. Increase data collection of WVDEP, WVDNR, and USGS by enlisting the public to report sightings
• Potomac River National Heritage Corridor
  Purpose:
  1. Assist local organization with the development of a preliminary data collection and feasibility study for the designation of a system of trails highlighting the economic importance of the Potomac River during the period of 1750 to 1850.
• Morgan County Source Water Protection Plan
  Purpose:

1. Facilitate the development of a source water protection plan by the Morgan County Rural Water Committee through coordination of public forums, focus groups, and citizen volunteers.
2. Publish plan that will guide local government on development of policy and regulations designed to protect water quality and quantity.
3. Create and disseminate educational brochure to county residents explaining the importance of source water protection and their responsibilities in the effort.

For more information contact Rebecca MacLeod at the Potomac Headwaters RC&D Office.

Plants for Pollinators

Appalachian Plant Materials Center is cultivating five native species for improved wildlife/pollinator habitat: a blackeyed Susan, Illinois bundleflower, spiked blazing star, and two native lespedezas.
 

	blackeyed Susan seed production fields.
	A honeybee and bumblebee collecting nectar and pollen from a blazing star plant
	a swallowtail butterfly visiting a blazing star plant

Pollinators play an important role in food production.

Pollinators are threatened worldwide by habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and parasites.

For more information, go to http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/news/07feb_nv/pollinators.html

White Hall/Morgantown Service Center

Education and Program Outreach is the Focus of the North Preston Farmers Club Fall Festival

The North Preston Farmers Club Fall Festival was held on September 7th & 8th in Bruceton, WV. Exhibits from various agencies including WVCA, Monongahela Conservation District, WVDA Regulatory Division, USDA Wildlife Services, USDA Farm Service Agency, and USDA NRCS were in attendance. Each agency brought valuable information on different programs they are involved with in hopes of reaching out to all in attendance. Not only did NRCS try to provide program information to attendees but also wanted to reach out to the youth in attendance. Program information is always important to provide to the public but as conservationists we should all try to educate the youth of tomorrow about our natural resources.

After a bit of construction from a White Hall/Morgantown Service Center Earth Team Volunteer a NRCS Educational Barn was constructed. The barn provided questions about soils that the youth in attendance could have answered by opening a barn door. The NRCS Education Barn seemed to be a hit for the young and young at heart. The Barn was designed so that different questions and answers can be utilized to make this a unique educational tool anytime of year. Katie Fitzsimmons, soil conservationist, was instrumental in putting together a new exhibit that combines program and educational information to the public.

	The NRCS Educational Barn was a big hit. Phil & Sam Evans taking time out from the festival to learn a little more about soils.
	Taking a look at some completed practices, Katie Fitzsimmons and Kirby Clark (Preston County Farmer), talk about the different resource concerns that can be addressed by a range of conservation practices.

For more information contact Ray Carr or Katie Fitzsimmons at the White Hall Service Center

Outdoor Classroom Project in McMechen, WV

Submitted by: Nicole Viars, District Conservationist, McMechen, WV

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District (NPCD), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Northern Panhandle RC&D, is several steps closer to making the Outdoor Classroom located at the USDA Service Center in McMechen, WV a reality. For over 2 years, the district has been in the planning stages of developing an outdoor learning center to be used by schools and youth groups in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle, consisting of Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock Counties. Over $25,000 has been raised to complete the center, which will ultimately consist of a walking trail, gazebo, constructed wetland/pond, butterfly and hummingbird garden areas, forested areas, weather station, and more.

Last fall, the asphalt walking trail was installed. Over the winter, the district work crew built the gazebo/learning shelter. This spring and summer were spent trying to control Japanese knotweed that was penetrating the asphalt trail and surrounding areas, thereby delaying the planting of the trees and the butterfly and hummingbird gardens.

On October 29, 2007, 21 student and teacher volunteers from the Cameron FFA Chapter assisted the district by planting 130 trees and shrubs in the learning center. Some of the trees include walnut, hickory, oak, maple, redbud, dogwood, tulip poplar, ash, sycamore, and other native species. In addition, a small pond complete with waterfall and winding creek has been installed in the area where the butterfly and hummingbird gardens will be planted next spring.

This outdoor education lab is being created to give teachers and students a chance to study plants and wildlife native to our area. The NPCD plans to offer workshops for teachers over the summer, such as Project Wild and Project Learning Tree. The district is hopeful that they will incorporate what they learn in the classroom and arrange for classrooms to visit the site. Schools, scout troops, FFA chapters, 4-H groups and even adults will be encouraged to utilize the classroom.

Questions about the project can be directed to Sharon Andrews, Outreach Coordinator with the NPCD. Her phone number is 304-242-0576 x 114, and her email address is sandrews@wvca.us.

Nicole Viars instructed the group in planting techniques.

	The Cameron FFA Chapter assisted the district by planting 130 trees and shrubs in the learning center.

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