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WVEC or member events (View events in calendar view)

To have your event added to WVEC’s calendar, or for more information, contact: info@wvecouncil.org

    WV Sierra Club Hike and Picnic

    Join the West Virginia Sierra Club Hike and Picnic on June 10 at the Grandview Shelter #4 in the New River Gorge National Park. They’ll grill up some summertime favorites, admire the spectacular views, learn about the park, hear some music, and meet up with other West Virginians who care about protecting The Mountain State’s natural beauty.

    At 10:00 AM, Chris Craig will lead a moderate 2-mile hike. At 12:00, you’ll gather at the shelter and dig into burgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings. After you eat, you’ll hear a brief description of the area’s history. Next, Chris will lead an easy 2.5 mile hike. You’ll also enjoy musical entertainment and games for the whole family. They will wrap up the day around 5:00 PM.

    The West Virginia Sierra Club will provide all perishable foods. Please bring a non-perishable side item or alcohol-free beverage to share.

    If you’re traveling from a distance, you’ll find several hotels, cabins, and an RV park in the area. A developed campground is available nearby at Little Beaver State Park, and several primitive campgrounds are scattered throughout New River Gorge National Park.

    More information about the hike, and a signup sheet, are available here.

    More information about the picnic, and a signup sheet, are available here.

    Or email sierraclubwv@gmail.com for more information, or to RSVP.

    We hope to see you there!

    Aileen Curfman, Conservation Chair

    West Virginia Sierra Club

    Petrochemical Lunch & Learn Series

     
    This summer, join the Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC for a lunch & learn series on the impacts of petrochemical development on Black communities in Appalachia.
     
     
    Petrochemicals are harmful to human health and the environment. The process of making petrochemicals used to make plastics and pesticides creates dangerous air and water pollution. People, and especially children, living near petrochemical production facilities have higher risk of many types of cancer, birth complications, asthma and respiratory illness, and kidney disease.
     
    These facilities tend to be located in Black communities and poor communities because of decades of racial discrimination in housing and financial services. Research shows, in majority-Black census tracts, the estimated risk of cancer from toxic air emissions is more than twice the risk found in majority-white tracts. In 2021, the United Nations officially declared petrochemical growth along “Cancer Alley” in the US Gulf Coast a form of environmental racism.
     
    Join Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC to learn more & take action. Bring your lunch and tune in at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month to hear from experts & frontline residents about petrochemical development and its outsized threat to Black communities:
     
    Health Harms | Thursday, June 22 @12PM
    Air, water, and land pollution and its direct and indirect effects on human health.
     
    Future events in the series: 
     
    What We Can Control | Thursday, July 27 @12PM
    How to avoid unhealthy petrochemical exposures, including labeling and food choices.
     
    Better Choices | Thursday, August 24 @12PM
    Building a fossil-free future: developing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, recycling, and sustainable design.
     
    Action Plan | Thursday, September 28 @12PM
    Policy changes, community choices, and personal choices.
     

    Petrochemical Lunch & Learn Series

     
    This summer, join the Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC for a lunch & learn series on the impacts of petrochemical development on Black communities in Appalachia.
     
     
    Petrochemicals are harmful to human health and the environment. The process of making petrochemicals used to make plastics and pesticides creates dangerous air and water pollution. People, and especially children, living near petrochemical production facilities have higher risk of many types of cancer, birth complications, asthma and respiratory illness, and kidney disease.
     
    These facilities tend to be located in Black communities and poor communities because of decades of racial discrimination in housing and financial services. Research shows, in majority-Black census tracts, the estimated risk of cancer from toxic air emissions is more than twice the risk found in majority-white tracts. In 2021, the United Nations officially declared petrochemical growth along “Cancer Alley” in the US Gulf Coast a form of environmental racism.
     
    Join Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC to learn more & take action. Bring your lunch and tune in at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month to hear from experts & frontline residents about petrochemical development and its outsized threat to Black communities:
     
    Health Harms | Thursday, June 22 @12PM
    Air, water, and land pollution and its direct and indirect effects on human health.
     
    Future events in the series: 
     
    What We Can Control | Thursday, July 27 @12PM
    How to avoid unhealthy petrochemical exposures, including labeling and food choices.
     
    Better Choices | Thursday, August 24 @12PM
    Building a fossil-free future: developing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, recycling, and sustainable design.
     
    Action Plan | Thursday, September 28 @12PM
    Policy changes, community choices, and personal choices.
     

    Petrochemical Lunch & Learn Series

     
    This summer, join the Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC for a lunch & learn series on the impacts of petrochemical development on Black communities in Appalachia.
     
     
    Petrochemicals are harmful to human health and the environment. The process of making petrochemicals used to make plastics and pesticides creates dangerous air and water pollution. People, and especially children, living near petrochemical production facilities have higher risk of many types of cancer, birth complications, asthma and respiratory illness, and kidney disease.
     
    These facilities tend to be located in Black communities and poor communities because of decades of racial discrimination in housing and financial services. Research shows, in majority-Black census tracts, the estimated risk of cancer from toxic air emissions is more than twice the risk found in majority-white tracts. In 2021, the United Nations officially declared petrochemical growth along “Cancer Alley” in the US Gulf Coast a form of environmental racism.
     
    Join Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC to learn more & take action. Bring your lunch and tune in at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month to hear from experts & frontline residents about petrochemical development and its outsized threat to Black communities:
     
    Health Harms | Thursday, June 22 @12PM
    Air, water, and land pollution and its direct and indirect effects on human health.
     
    Future events in the series: 
     
    What We Can Control | Thursday, July 27 @12PM
    How to avoid unhealthy petrochemical exposures, including labeling and food choices.
     
    Better Choices | Thursday, August 24 @12PM
    Building a fossil-free future: developing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, recycling, and sustainable design.
     
    Action Plan | Thursday, September 28 @12PM
    Policy changes, community choices, and personal choices.
     

    Mushroom Meander – Canaan Valley Resort

    Save the date! The West Virginia Highlands Conversancy’s Mushroom Meander will happen again at Canaan Valley Resort.

    Date: Sunday, September 20, 2023

    Time: 10AM – 12PM

    Location: Canaan Valley Resort State Park: Meet in the lobby of the Main Lodge.

    Trip Leader: Kristen Wickert, PhD (Instagram: @kdubsthehikingscientist)

    Details (difficulty, distance): Intermediate hike exploring the woods and seeing what sort of fungi are nearby. Kristen is a professional entomologist, botanist and plant pathologist who also has a lot of knowledge about fungi, as well.

    More details to come!

    Petrochemical Lunch & Learn Series

     
    This summer, join the Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC for a lunch & learn series on the impacts of petrochemical development on Black communities in Appalachia.
     
     
    Petrochemicals are harmful to human health and the environment. The process of making petrochemicals used to make plastics and pesticides creates dangerous air and water pollution. People, and especially children, living near petrochemical production facilities have higher risk of many types of cancer, birth complications, asthma and respiratory illness, and kidney disease.
     
    These facilities tend to be located in Black communities and poor communities because of decades of racial discrimination in housing and financial services. Research shows, in majority-Black census tracts, the estimated risk of cancer from toxic air emissions is more than twice the risk found in majority-white tracts. In 2021, the United Nations officially declared petrochemical growth along “Cancer Alley” in the US Gulf Coast a form of environmental racism.
     
    Join Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC to learn more & take action. Bring your lunch and tune in at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month to hear from experts & frontline residents about petrochemical development and its outsized threat to Black communities:
     
    Health Harms | Thursday, June 22 @12PM
    Air, water, and land pollution and its direct and indirect effects on human health.
     
    Future events in the series: 
     
    What We Can Control | Thursday, July 27 @12PM
    How to avoid unhealthy petrochemical exposures, including labeling and food choices.
     
    Better Choices | Thursday, August 24 @12PM
    Building a fossil-free future: developing renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, recycling, and sustainable design.
     
    Action Plan | Thursday, September 28 @12PM
    Policy changes, community choices, and personal choices.
     

    WVHC Annual Fall Review

    Save the date! The West Virginia Highlands Conversancy’s Annual Fall Review will be held at Canaan Valley Resort on October 13-15. This years theme will be water!

    • Friday evening is a meet and greet.
    • Saturday will have speakers and panels all day, as well as some fun outings, followed by a square dance.
    • Sunday is our quarterly board meeting and election of officers.

    The public is welcome to attend any and all of the events! There is no fee. We will add more information on speakers as it comes available. 

    Save the Date: WVEC Annual Meeting!

    Mark your Calendars! The West Virginia Environmental Council will host their annual meeting November 3-5. More details to come!

    Save the Date for Black Policy Day

    From our partners at WV Black Voter Impact Initiative

    Join the Black Voter Impact Initiative and friends for Black Policy Day at the State Capitol on February 7th, 2024!

    Black Policy Day was established in 2022 by Crystal Good (Black By God), Katonya Hart (Call to Action for Racial Equality), and Dr. Shanequa Smith (WV Black Voter Impact Initiative), who shared a vision of creating space for historically oppressed and ignored groups to amplify their stories and participate in the policymaking process.

    During Black Policy Day, they welcome all to the Capitol to engage with their state leaders and discuss the policies that most impact Black and minority communities.

    Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to make a difference in your community! Learn more at bviiwv.com.

    Click here or on event title to view event with a venue map

    Save the Date for E-Day 2024

    Join us for Environmental Day at the WV State Capitol on Tuesday, February 13, 2024! 

    Thank you to all of the incredible groups from all corners of the state for being a part of E-Day 2023. The members of these groups work throughout the year to promote environmental justice, protect clean air and water, advance renewable energy, and preserve our natural resources across the state. We invite you to check out these groups’ web pages and tap into their campaigns: 

    Student groups from around the state:      

    You can find photographs of the 2023 E-Day taken by Perry Bennett, the Chief Legislative Photographer, here!

    See you at E-Day 2024! 

    Click here or on event title to view event with a venue map