David Sibray
As a socially-distanced pastime, geocaching is enjoying a boost worldwide and in West Virginia just as Marion County reveals a new county-wide geocaching trail. The 10-cache trail invites visitors to explore the county’s most important attractions, according to trail organizer Mark Webb, an intern for the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a fun … Read more
State-managed parks and forests in West Virginia have welcomed a record-breaking number of in-state guests so far this year, thanks to a promotional discount available through August, Governor Jim Justice announced today. The announcement comes as a result of a park promotion prompted by the coronavirus-19 outbreak and includes a 30-percent discount on all state … Read more
In an effort to understand declining firefly populations, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is inviting the public to participate in a citizen science project to track lightning bug sightings in the Mountain State. West Virginia boasts as many as 40 species of fireflies, or lightning bugs, which biologists say may have declined in … Read more
A remarkable remote cabin that requires a 3.3-mile hike to access has been opened at Camp Creek State Forest, providing guests the opportunity for an unmatched off-the-grid experience in West Virginia. The Ranger Outpost Cabin is the first of its kind to be offered at Camp Creek, which is both a state park and forest … Read more
The National Science Foundation has awarded a one-year $999,000 planning grant to Shepherd University to develop a comprehensive plan to cost-effectively connect the university to the Internet2 national backbone. “This planning grant will support Shepherd’s exploration of the feasibility to connect to Internet2,” said Dr. Robert Warburton, dean, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. … Read more
There’s more to see and do in West Virginia’s Metro Valley region than one might expect, which is why four visitor bureaus there have engaged in a cooperative promotion on Instagram dubbed “Rt. 60 Ramble.” Project leaders themselves said they were surprised to discover resources along or near U.S. 60 that were appropriate for socially-distanced … Read more
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announces that the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek has resumed regular admission rates and hours of operation. The Wildlife Center features native and introduced animals and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, according to Zack Brown, assistant … Read more
Biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources have teamed up with Marshall University graduate students to monitor the movement of timber rattlesnakes in an effort to develop methods for moving the reptiles from high-use recreation areas. The project is part of a three-year-long study in Kanawha and Coopers Rock state forests and will … Read more
Officials have confirmed state support for a $25-million streetscaping project in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, and the Wheeling National Heritage Area in the state’s northern panhandle. Governor Jim Justice today joined state officials and Wheeling Mayor Glenn F. Elliott, Jr., in expressing the state’s commitment to the Wheeling Streetscape Project. “This project is going to change … Read more
Towns and cities in 27 counties across West Virginia are being provided with funds to build and improve sidewalks, lighting, and rail trails. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Byrd White awarded 38 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grants worth $7,414,975 in total. The governor emphasized the economic … Read more
