WVHC and allies secured a settlement holding Keystone WV LLC accountable for pollution near Kanawha State Forest. Funds will support water quality projects in Davis Creek. Read more below ⬇️

Green Drinks is coming to Lewisburg! 🍻 Join us Oct. 30, 6–8 pm at Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co. for “Don’t Mine the Mon!”—a community conversation about protecting the Monongahela National Forest. RSVP: [email protected]

The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy’s Fall Review will be kicking off with a costume party and live music from Helicopter Collective at Blackwater Falls State Park! 🎃🎶 Free admission, all are welcome—come celebrate the season, and the start of a great weekend!

"A groundbreaking new report commissioned by @selc.bsky.social shows that much of the projected data center demand is speculative — if not outright implausible.” All the while, the Trump Administration is doubling down on AI investment and deregulation, bolstering data center construction.

West Virginians will be the ones paying for Northern Virginia’s rising energy needs thanks to AI. Sarah Elbeshbishi writes: “as straining power grids try to meet the new level of demand, they’re offsetting associated costs onto all of their customers, including West Virginians.”

📅 Nov. 1, 9:40–10:40 a.m. | Fall Review panel: Federal Policy & Appalachia with Harry Manin, Lyndsay Tarus & Quentin King. Learn how DC policy impacts WV’s lands, waters and people. 🌎 🔗 www.wvhighlands.org/event/wvhc-f...

Andy Mahler, longtime Heartwood leader and forest defender, has passed at 74. A tireless activist, eloquent voice, and friend to many — his work protecting wild places leaves a lasting legacy. Read the full tribute ⤵️

We’re saying “see you later” to Helen McGinnis as she moves to Massachusetts. Her passion helped protect Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and so much more. Though she’s leaving WV, her legacy will always be rooted in the Highlands she loved. 🍂 Read about Helen McGinnis’ legacy using the link below.

Hey, students: Apply for a scholarship to attend the 2025 Fall Review at Blackwater Falls State Park! Mileage, meals & lodging covered. Learn, connect & take action with the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. Deadline: Oct. 3 ➡️ www.wvhighlands.org/fall-review-...

Coal hauling through the Monongahela National Forest has stopped as South Fork Coal enters liquidation. But the land remains scarred and violations continue. We’ll keep pushing for full reclamation and accountability from regulators and whoever comes next. Read the @appvoices.org article below. ⤵️

South Fork Coal will liquidate after years of violations & pollution near Richwood, WV. Now the DEP must seize bonds & ensure miners are hired to clean up the damage to the Cherry River & Monongahela National Forest. Read the full story down below ⬇️

A data center project appeared without warning in Tucker County. Locals demanded answers—then learned lawmakers had already stripped their power to stop it. No notice. No input. No oversight. Full Story: mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/03/l...

A coal company wants to haul 125-ton trucks through Monongahela National Forest—endangering rare species & public access. The Forest Service is rushing it through. Tell them: No fast track for destruction.  Comments due Aug. 7 – www.wvhighlands.org/2025/07/31/a...

Public comments are due today at 5 p.m.! Speak up now!

A gas plant to support a 10,000-acre data center complex near Davis is being fast-tracked—WVDEP is taking comments until Fri 7/18 @ 5pm. This isn’t “minor” pollution—it’s a major risk. Tucker Co. deserves better. ✍️ Comment now using the link below!

Congress tried—twice—to sell off millions of acres of public lands. The WVHC and allies fought back and won. “As long as Congress hangs ‘for sale’ signs, we’ll keep pulling them down.” Full story in the July Highlands Voice.

A powerful out-of-state company called Fundamental Data wants to build a massive natural gas power plant and 10,000-acre data center complex in the heart of Tucker County. This proposed project could devastate the area. 👉 Donate to help protect Tucker County and WV from the data center buildout:

Public lands were nearly sold off—no debate, no public input. Over 500k acres, including wild lands near Zion, are on the auction block. Now, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah plans to try again, according to Politico. We joined 112 organizations to say no to backroom land deals. Full sign-on letter below: ⬇️

Dolly Sods trail maintenance is back! Join us June 14–15 for training & volunteer to help improve muddy, rocky paths. Do good, have fun, and protect our wild spaces! 🌿 Sign up below! bit.ly/4jcwbbH

Warren County residents raise red flags over data centers, concerns about rising energy use, water risk, low tax returns, & the impact on rural life.  “Think about long-term value — not just short-term cash,” commented Warrenton Town Councilman Eric Gagnon.  Read the full story at the link below.

South Fork Coal cited again as pollution spreads into high-quality trout streams & public opposition continues to grow over coal hauling through the Monongahela National Forest.  ⚠️ Black water in Big Clear Creek ⚠️ Sludge in Becky Run ⚠️ Acid mine drainage Read more about what’s happening in The Mon:

At Cheat Fest in WV, locals celebrate art & river life—while mourning the loss of federal jobs & programs. “It’s all connected,” says one organizer. Cuts to NIOSH, AmeriCorps, & more leave us wondering: what’s next? Read more about the community struggles under the weight of impending DOGE cuts:

Fundamental Data confirms its planned off-grid WV power plant will power data centers.  The company says it won’t draw from local water sources and expects low noise/light impact. Locals remain concerned over redacted documents and the lack of transparency. Read more at the link below ⤵️

Residents and environmental groups urge a full EIS on Corridor H near Wardensville. Critics cite risks to farmland, drinking water, trout streams, and Main Street businesses. Public comment open through June 1. Make a public comment using the link below ⤵️

Join us May 21 (1 p.m.) or May 29 (6 p.m.) to learn how West Virginians are fighting back against coal mining threats to the Monongahela National Forest and Cherry River. This free webinar is hosted by @appvoices.org and in collaboration with the WVHC. Register using the links below ⬇️

Tucker County residents are rallying against a proposed data center and natural gas power plant near Davis & Thomas. It threatens our air, health, and economy. Join the fight at tuckerunited.com. Speak up while there's time—comment on the air permit ⤵️

Locals near Davis & Thomas are slowing a data center project despite a new state law favoring fast approvals. Public outcry forced permit delays, and even some lawmakers are now backpedaling. Community resistance is gaining ground. Read more at the link below ⬇️

A decades-old debate reignites as West Virginia officials call to push Corridor H to the state line, putting Virginia on the spot. Conservationists warn of traffic surges, environmental damage, and pressure to extend the highway into protected lands. 🚨Public comments are open through June 1.

EPA just announced the largest rollback of environmental protections in U.S. history — risking our air, water, and climate. We need Congress to act now. This is public health on the line. Full story: www.wvhighlands.org/article/epa-...

“Earth Day is a reminder of what makes the Potomac Highlands so special—clear streams, intact forests, vibrant small towns, and endless opportunities to explore the outdoors,” said Olivia Miller of WVHC. “A massive highway like this just doesn’t fit with what makes this region unique.”

"Now that we have this bill passed, it's clear that there's going to be a blitz," West Virginia Highlands Conservancy board member Tyler Cannon said at Sunday's meeting.

"We have a responsibility to protect the Gauley and the lands that sustain it, not just for ourselves, but for every generation that follows.” - Olivia Miller @wvhighlands.bsky.social Read the press release: appvoices.org/2025/04/16/g...

A bankrupt coal company with 113 violations was cited for dumping sludge into WV’s Gauley watershed. “We cannot let a handful of years of negligence threaten the future of this area,” said Tyler Cannon. Public lands aren’t coal waste sites. Read more and take action ⤵️

✊🏻 ACTION ALERT: South Fork Coal is illegally running trucks in the Monongahela National Forest—now they want retroactive permission. They're abusing a narrow mining exemption. This isn’t just one road—it’s about protecting all our public lands.🌎 Read more here: www.wvhighlands.org/2025/04/14/a...

🗞️ From Country Roads News: Marilyn Shoenfeld, president of WVHC, noted that the permit says 30 million gallons of diesel fuel would be stored on-site. She said the prospect of that much flammable liquid stored so close to Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School was “terrifying.”

Trump signed 4 EOs to prop up coal companies — at the expense of our communities.👎 If successful, these orders would: 🚫 Keep coal plants open past closure dates 🚫 Undermine state + local authority 🚫 Skirt environmental protections 🚫 Remove barriers to mining on public land

A must-read by Quenton King for @westvirginiawatch.com ⤵️

HB 2014 doesn’t just silence local voices. It would divert almost all new tax revenue away from your community to prop up aging coal and gas plants and fund tax breaks that primarily benefit the wealthiest households in West Virginia. ⤵️

The West Virginia Legislature is pushing HB 2014, a bill that would strip away local control, making it easy for data centers to be built anywhere without community input. Speak up now to stop HB 2014 and protect Tucker County—and every small community in West Virginia: bit.ly/3FNzI1u

A West Virginia regulator issued its latest notice of violation against South Fork Coal Company for “iron staining and sludge deposits” into the Gauley River watershed. The coal company has received 113 citations in the past four years. @wvhighlands.bsky.social

HB 2014 is moving fast in the West Virginia House. It gives massive data centers a free pass to ignore local zoning, use unlimited water, and strain our power grid with zero community input. The bill is on second reading in the house today. Take action: bit.ly/4i0Dke7

West Virginia’s thriving tourism industry depends on public lands, but federal job cuts could put the industry at risk. With ongoing staffing challenges in national forests and parks, trail upkeep, visitor services, & conservation efforts may take a hit. Read more about the potential effects below:

Coal River Mountain Watch has been exposing mountaintop removal for decades—but their truck just broke down, halting crucial work. They need a rugged, reliable 4WD vehicle or donations to help buy one. Want to help? Learn more here: www.wvhighlands.org/article/coal...

We know it’s almost the weekend, but before we head out to enjoy our beautiful public lands, we need to act RIGHT NOW to protect them. Tell members of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to vote NO on SB 711 and keep ORVs out of our state parks. TAKE ACTION: bit.ly/4ikJ7M6

We've joined Coal River Mountain Watch, the @sierraclub.org and @appvoices.org in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for failing to consider residents' health when approving four valley fills for a 1,000-acre surface mine in Raleigh County. bit.ly/3DI7HI0

Welcome Mike Jones, the new Organizational Director for West Virginia Rivers Coalition! We’re excited to have such a dedicated advocate for WV’s public lands on board. Read more about Mike using the link below! ⤵️ ow.ly/BCP550Vg2bK

📢 WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK BEFORE 1 P.M. Let’s remind our representatives that our parks are not here to generate profit for private industry. Send a quick note to your representatives here: bit.ly/4ikXwb2

The Biden administration's National Old-Growth Amendment aimed to protect forests but ultimately did not establish new safeguards. Read @mongabay.bsky.social's article on the challenges of defining old growth, policy hurdles, and the broader impact on conservation efforts: ow.ly/v6sW50V5qCi

West Virginia will now regulate its own carbon injection wells, but critics question its ability to enforce safety. With thousands of unplugged wells and concerns over landowner rights, is the state prepared for this responsibility? Read more ⤵️ www.wvhighlands.org/article/carb...

Why are lawmakers trying to limit access to air quality data in West Virginia? Community air monitoring empowers citizens with real-time info, but now it's under attack. Transparency is democracy in action. Learn more about what’s at risk: westvirginiawatch.com/2025/02/14/a...