By Anna Saab
Some of my earliest memories involve spending time exploring the natural wonders of our public lands. As a little girl, I remember tilting my head back to marvel at the green canopy of hemlock trees in Cathedral State Park and swimming at the Upper Falls of Holly State Park on a hot summer day.
Jon Sullivan, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Seeing the experience as an opportunity to teach, my dad explained that acres of West Virginia had been timbered or otherwise harmed by the encroaching reach of industry — impressing upon me the wonder and importance of places like old-growth forests. It also shaped my belief in the essential role of regulation and protection in the preservation of American wilderness.
Right now, it seems like every day brings a new environmental challenge as leaders at the federal and state level attempt to unravel some of the most important regulations. The Department of the Interior recently announced it will begin to review agency manuals for the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish & Wildlife Service. More than 200 million acres under these agencies are at risk of losing protection — protection that not only conserves key habitats, but for states like West Virginia, protects important tourism economies.
The Sierra Club has launched a campaign to fight back against these sweeping reviews. You can use their Defend America’s Wilderness action to comment in defense of these agencies and the protections that keep our lands wild and wonderful.
I can’t help but think about how different West Virginia would be had federal, state, and local governments not taken action to protect these biodiverse areas. As the federal government considers amending protections and deregulating the policies and practices that ensured my generation would get to enjoy outdoor spaces, it feels as good a time as any to provide an overview of the National Park Service and the different areas in West Virginia under its protection.
The Birth of National Parks
Born out of the conservation movement of the 1800’s, Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872. Initial conservation focused on the western landscapes of the US, leaving eastern wilderness without protection. The Appalachian Mountain Club, a private conservation group, was formed shortly after in 1876 to fill this need.
Although Yellowstone had been designated as a National Park, the National Park Service wasn’t founded until 1916. Without the National Park Service, the departments of War, Agriculture, and the Interior were tasked with supervising the United States’ parks, reserves, and monuments. But this inefficient system would soon be remedied.
In 1915, Stephen Mather was appointed as assistant secretary to the Department of the Interior. In his position, he saw how inefficient it was to care for lands under so many different agencies. He lobbied for a dedicated National Park Service, ultimately becoming the agency’s first director after being appointed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Thanks to Mather’s work, some of the most famous natural wonders in North America became protected land, including the Grand Canyon.
After more than a decade of service, Mather also ensured the federal government would continue to create new parks before retiring. The legislation he helped pass set the stage for the purchase of private property to protect Appalachian wonders like the Shenandoah and neighboring Mammoth Cave just outside the region.
Beyond National Parks
More than a century after Yellowstone’s designation, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve finally got its own in December of 2020. Seated between Hinton and Fayetteville, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the Americas! Thanks to the area’s status as a national park, over 77,000 acres of lush biodiversity will be protected for future generations of West Virginians.
The New River Gorge isn’t the only federally protected natural wonder in the state. In fact, West Virginia has five other areas, including a scenic river, scenic trail, two historic parks, and a recreation area.
The National Park Service uses a variety of designations depending on the type of area. There are two broader categories: Natural Values and Importance in History.
Natural Values
Areas under this umbrella are “expanses or features of land or water of great scenic and scientific quality and are usually designated as national parks, monuments, preserves, seashores, lakeshores, or riverways.” These features typically have at least one unique natural attribute, such as tundra or a seashore. They might also be known as an abundant haven for plant life or rare wildlife. There are 10 different types of Natural Value titles.
Almost Heaven happens to be home to a scenic trail, recreation area, and a scenic river. Our scenic trail, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, earned its designation thanks to the breathtaking journey along its nearly 2,200-mile path through the Appalachian Mountains. While a portion of the trail winds through the eastern part of our state, we also share the trail with New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Primarily flowing through Mercer and Summers counties, the 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone River in West Virginia is designated as a National Scenic River. Although it’s currently the only river with this protection, folks around the state are working hard to urge Congress to protect the Mon Forest headwaters. You can learn more and get involved in the It’s a Waterway of Life campaign at wvwaterways.org.
Importance in History
The Gauley River National Recreation Area is best known for its whitewater, boasting V+ rapids. But it doesn’t just offer a wild ride — it’s also part of the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. After the Civil War, the railroad and timber industry rolled in, resulting in significant pollution. At one point, the river was nicknamed “The River of Ink” from all of the dumping of industrial pollution. The area’s mix of natural and cultural significance is what categorized it under the NPS historic categorization.
Our two National Historic Parks, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, offer scenic views and historic charm.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal operated as a major transportation route for a century during the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for John Brown’s raid and more, Harpers Ferry sits at the beautiful junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
Take Action — Defend America’s Wilderness
Our public lands are an important part of the larger ecosystem. But they also provide so much joy and reprieve. We must protect them for the next generation and beyond.
The Sierra Club is working hard against any dismantling of the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish & Wildlife Service. You can use their Defend America’s Wilderness action to comment in defense of these agencies and the protections that keep our lands wild and wonderful. Take action by August 14 to demand protection for our public lands.
