West Virginia’s identity is rooted in the outdoors and its resources. The Land Trust is proud to partner with people who want to protect and perpetuate that legacy and identity. The organization seeks projects with meaningful and lasting benefits that reflect the needs of West Virginia, such as protecting drinking water sources, creating recreational opportunities, conserving wildlife habitat, promoting local food production, preserving historic and cultural sites, engaging youth and community groups, and supporting scientific research.
WVLT’s mission directs our organization to protect lands and waters having a wide range of conservation values. Our goal is to protect special places throughout West Virginia with an emphasis on community impact and public benefit. We focus our attention on places and projects that will support human communities with land and water that provides ecological, social, and economic benefits. We strive to bolster available resources and project success through partnerships with communities, government agencies, and other organizations with mutual goals and shared expertise.
Needleseye Park
In 2018, the West Virginia Land Trust partnered with the City of Oak Hill to purchase 283 acres of land for public recreational use. The future is exciting as Oak Hill prepares to open this “outdoor recreational mecca” for climbing, hiking, and mountain biking that will add yet another option for tourism in the New River Gorge Region. This property is packed with natural rock features, including a nearly 2-mile long rock wall, which makes this new destination worth the hike to visit.
Piney Creek Preserve
The Piney Creek Preserve is part of the larger Beckley Outdoors – Outdoor Economy Action Plan. The vision of Beckley Outdoors is to establish the City of Beckley as a premier outdoor destination that celebrates southern West Virginia’s Appalachian heritage. The initiative aims to leverage outdoor assets, such as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Piney Creek Preserve, to enhance quality of life and create a vibrant outdoor economy. By identifying opportunities to develop and improve unique outdoor infrastructure like trails, rock climbing areas, destination-quality parks, public art, and multi-use public spaces, the City will attract and retain residents, businesses, students, and visitors. As we collectively think about the future of the City of Beckley, local leaders and community members are invited to offer input into the Beckley Outdoors Economic Action Plan. Together, we are creating a compelling vision for a one-of-a-kind Appalachian city. Learn more here: www.beckleyoutdoors.com