Happenings Around the Mountain

Events

May 1: MayDay Strong March, Leave Work, Don’t Shop! | Slack Plaza at 11:30 a.m.

Stand in solidarity with other workers this Friday from 11:30 to 1 at Slack Plaza in Charleston. No ICE, no wars, and no billionaires! Join West Virginia Citizen Action Group to show support for workers and the protection and expansion of democracy. Learn more HERE.

May 1-2: Cheat River Festival | Albright, WV

Celebrate the beauty of the Cheat River watershed with family and friends. Enjoy a great gathering with folks from all over the state, all while supporting the important work of Friends of the Cheat. Rain or shine, Cheat Fest will kick off at 5:30 Friday. Get tickets and learn more HERE.

May 3: Bike Ride from C&O Canal Towpath, Shepherdstown, WV to Snyders Landing | Sharpsburg, MD at 10 a.m.

Join the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club for a Sunday morning bike ride. Enjoy an easy pace with views of the Potomac River. To learn more and RSVP, go HERE. WVSC has several other outings planned in May. Find out more HERE.

May 5: Logan County Data Center Meeting | Nighbert Memorial Church at 6 p.m.

Join the community to learn more about data centers and microgrids. West Virginia Citizen Action Group organizers will also provide information on who TransGas Development Systems is, and what the Department of Environmental Protection has approved in its permits. Learn more and RSVP HERE.

May 5 & 7: McDowell County Flood Mitigation Action Strategy Community Meeting | Big Creek Gymnasium in Bus Aly, War, WV at 10 a.m. or 5 p.m.

Join the community to help develop a Flood Mitigation Action Plan for McDowell County. Help identify practical, locally informed actions to reduce flood impacts to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and critical services. Build a community-informed strategy that reflects the experiences, needs, and priorities of local communities who have been directly affected by flooding. Can’t make the event? Take the survey HERE.

May 5, 6, & 7: Mountain State Land Use Summit | Charleston, WV

Learn more about city planning and land banking solutions to help your West Virginia community grow. Join other folks from around the state to talk about ground-breaking strategies to help your community thrive. Learn more and register HERE.

May 7: Let’s Talk Thursday — Mon Co SWA: Recycling and Sustainability at WVU | Zoom at 6 p.m.

Join the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority for a conversation about sustainability practices at WVU. Register HERE.

May 8: Solar and Battery Open House with Solar United Neighbors | Berkeley Springs at 5:30 p.m.

Live in Berkeley Springs and interested in learning more about solar panels and their back-up battery system? Join Solar United Neighbors for an Open House event. See the systems and speak with the experts who installed them. To register and receive the private address, go HERE.

May 9: Terrestrial Habitats Class with Dr. Tom Saladyga | Wood Thrush Park at 10 a.m.

Interested in learning more about nature? Appalachian Headwaters is hosting Terrestrial Habitats Class with Dr. Tom Saladyga. This class is free, open to the public, and can count towards Master Naturalist certification. Dress for a short hike. Learn more HERE.

May 9: Three Rivers Avian Center Migration Celebration | Pipestem Resort State Park Arboretum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join Three Rivers Avian Center at the Pipestem Resort State Park Arboretum (across from the MeKeever Lodge) for a free, fun-filled celebration of the migratory birds coming into the region. It’s a great day for all ages and abilities. See more information at the event page HERE.

May 10: New River Clean Up — Thayer to Stonecliff | TBA

Sponsored by New River Conservancy and ACE Adventures, join others on a guided raft to pick up trash along the river. Cleaning supplies and lunch will be provided by NRC and ACE. At time of publication, meeting time and location TBA. See the event page HERE. Register HERE.

May 16: Town Hall Meeting with Tucker United (Davis, WV) | Davis Fire Hall at 3 p.m.

Hear updates from Mayor Alan Tomson about updates on the Ridgeline Project in Tucker County, including information about the air pollution impact study commissioned by Harvard. Come with a neighbor and be ready to listen to during a community Q & A session.

May 16: Trailhead Stewards Training & Wilderness Stewards Picnic | Seneca Rocks Discovery Center

Do you love the Dolly Sods Wilderness? Are you curious about how you can help protect it while also helping more people enjoy it? Consider attending the Trailhead Stewards Training on May 16. This training will provide a primer on the fundamentals of wilderness stewardship, and it’s a great opportunity for volunteers of all experience levels. To learn more, contact the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards program at dollysodsstewards@wvhighlands.org.

May 17: Eastern Panhandle Co-op Final Solar 101 | Virtual at 6 p.m. EDT

Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home or small business. SUN will take you through technology, economics, financing, and more. You’ll also learn about the Solar Co-op in your area. The program is free to join, and members are not obligated to buy solar panels. Learn more and register HERE.

May 31: Sunset Yoga and Sound by FestivALL | Haddad Riverfront Park at 7 p.m.

Come together with neighbors, family, and friends to enjoy the ambience of the riverfront through yoga. Join Nina Ratliff, Folded Leaf yoga instructor, for 60 minutes of basic yoga flow that ends with a restorative sound bath at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston, WV at 7 p.m. Mats and props will be provided if you don’t have your own. All levels are welcome. Visit the event page HERE.

Opportunities

West Virginia Rivers Coalition is hiring a Production Coordinator. Help WVRC expand its communications capacity, all while primarily working remotely. The application deadline is approaching quickly — apply by May 6th!

AmeriCorps has a variety of service opportunities around the state:

Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area

Cockayne Farmstead – Preserve WV AmeriCorps

Common Waters WVU VISTA

Conservation Legacy – Crew Member

Conservation Legacy Assistant Crew Leader

Conservation Legacy Individual Placement