Conservancy Is Important to W.Va.

By The Intelligencer
What organization has done more than any other — including any agency of state or federal government — to preserve significant natural areas of West Virginia? If you’re like most Mountain State residents, we’ll bet that you don’t know the answer. It is the Nature Conservancy.

A news story last week was a reminder of the conservancy’s important work — and of the low-key, yet effective way in which it goes about the task of preservation. The story focused on acquisition by the U.S. Forest Service of a 175-acre tract of land in Pendleton County.

Described as “one of the most ecologically significant” tracts on North Fork Mountain, the land is both beautiful — according to those who have been there — and important. It is home to a substantial number of rare plants and animals.

Because of the acquisition, the land will be protected as part of the Monongahela National Forest. But for a time, its future was in question.

When the land’s private owner decided last year to sell it, Forest Service officials were interested. Unfortunately, they were not able to obtain the $264,000 needed for the purchase immediately. That opened up the possibility that someone else, perhaps with less concern about preservation, would buy the land.

Then the Nature Conservancy stepped into the picture — as it has many times when the future of important tracts of land was in question. Conservancy officials bought the North Fork Mountain tract in December, and held it until the Forest Service was able to find enough money to buy it.

Many significant pieces of land in our state are being preserved because of action by the conservancy. Sometimes the organization buys land outright. At other times it purchases long-term leases. On still other occasions, it acts as a temporary conservator until a government agency can purchase significant sites.

Part of the conservancy’s success is because of its non-confrontational approach. The organization works with landowners, treating them as partners in preservation, not adversaries. It uses money cautiously and effectively.

Those involved with the conservancy’s work have earned the thanks of West Virginians many, many times in the past. The conservancy once again has proven itself to be an organization worthy not just of commendation, but also of support.