Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area

The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area is a designated United States National Heritage Area that includes two counties in Maryland and 16 counties in West Virginia.

Established by Congress in 2019, it was created to enhance the region’s rich forest heritage and its significance in shaping the cultural and natural landscape of the Central Appalachian Highlands. The headquarters of the Heritage Area is located in Elkins, West Virginia.

Appalachian Forest

Managed by the nonprofit Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA), the designation recognizes the cultural value of the contiguous region of more than 500 sqare mile that spans the counties of Allegany and Garrett in Maryland and Grant, Hardy, Morgan, Tucker, Upshur, Barbour, Braxton, Mineral, Preston, Webster, Nicholas, Randolph, Hampshire, Pendleton, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas in West Virginia.

The heritage area was established to conserve, interpret, and promote the region’s forest heritage, preserving its traditions, historic sites, and natural resources.

The heritage area supports sustainable tourism, environmental education, and community development initiatives that highlight the interconnectedness of people and forests, collaborating with communities, organizations, and the National Park Service to enhance the region’s cultural and ecological assets.

Its designation offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, historical exploration, and cultural experiences, inviting visitors to engage with the Appalachian landscape and its storied past.

Recreation and Tourism

The heritage area offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities, thanks to its rich forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and wildlife observation areas throughout the region.

Historic sites, museums, and cultural events showcase the area’s Appalachian heritage, while small towns offer a range of local crafts, festivals, and traditional cuisine. Outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and camping, are popular, particularly within the Monongahela National Forest and its surrounding public lands.

Sustainable tourism initiatives in the heritage area aim to support local economies while preserving the region’s natural and cultural resources. Through collaboration with communities, organizations, and the National Park Service, the heritage area fosters educational programs, cultural preservation, and conservation efforts.

Geography and Environment

The area spans the central Appalachian highlands, characterized by rugged mountains, deep valleys, and extensive forest cover. The area encompasses parts of the Monongahela National Forest and numerous state parks, as well as rivers and streams.

Its forests are predominantly mixed hardwoods, including oak, hickory, maple, and beech, which provide habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, black bears, and numerous bird species.

The region’s rivers and streams, including the Cheat, Gauley, Greenbrier, and Potomac rivers, are vital for recreation, drinking water, and biodiversity.

The heritage area also features unique high-elevation ecosystems, wetlands, and rich soils that support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Its varied topography contributes to scenic landscapes, offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, and preserves ecological and cultural heritage.

Flora and Fauna

The forests of the heritage area are predominantly mixed hardwoods, including oak, hickory, maple, and beech. The region is home to a rich diversity of plant species, including rhododendron, mountain laurel, and native wildflowers. High-elevation ecosystems and wetlands provide habitats for unique flora, including rare and endemic species.

Wildlife is abundant, with populations of white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, and wild turkeys. Rivers and streams support a variety of fish, including brook trout and smallmouth

bass, as well as numerous freshwater invertebrates. Birdwatchers can observe a variety of species, including migratory and resident birds such as warblers, hawks, and woodpeckers. Conservation of these habitats is a key focus of agency initiatives, striking a balance between human recreation and ecological preservation.

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Heritage Area Communities

West Virginia:

• Barbour County: Philippi, Belington
• Braxton County: Sutton, Gassaway
• Grant County: Petersburg, Bayard
• Greenbrier County: Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs
• Hampshire County: Romney, Capon Bridge
• Hardy County: Moorefield, Baker
• Mineral County: Keyser, Piedmont
• Morgan County: Berkeley Springs
• Nicholas County: Summersville, Richwood
• Pendleton County: Franklin, Brandywine
• Pocahontas County: Marlinton, Durbin
• Preston County: Kingwood, Terra Alta
• Randolph County: Elkins, Harman
• Tucker County: Parsons, Davis
• Upshur County: Buckhannon
• Webster County: Webster Springs

Maryland:

• Allegany County: Cumberland, Frostburg
• Garrett County: Oakland, Friendsville