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David Sibray

David Sibray is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of West Virginia Explorer, a news and travel magazine devoted to the state’s history, tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390 or at editor@wvexplorer.com
Specialty crops are the future of the West Virginia agricultural economy.
Agriculture

W.Va. DA requests applications for specialty crop grants

by David Sibray

The W.Va. Department of Agriculture through January 19, 2021, is accepting applications for U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt says specialty crops are the future of agriculture in the Mountain State and anticipates West Virginia will receive approximately $270,000 from the federal government from which multiple grants will … Read more

A wary wild turkey peers across a field in West Virginia.
Communities

W.Va. seeks landowners keen to improve wildlife habitat

by David Sibray

Biologists with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are reaching out to landowners who are interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property. In partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the West Virginia Division of Forestry, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and other agencies, the division hopes property owners can help address shrinking … Read more

A photo of a deserted coal camp curated by the W.Va. Mine Wars Museum, funded in part by the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.
Communities

National Coal Heritage Area calls for grant applications

by David Sibray

The National Coal Heritage Area Authority to support community efforts to interpret, preserve, and promote coal heritage resources is seeking proposals for funding for eligible projects. Projects must be implemented within the National Coal Heritage Area, which includes the counties of Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Wyoming, and the … Read more

The first annual West Virginia History Trivia Night for the Preservation Alliance will be Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Arts

Play W.Va. History Trivia, and help save historic properties

by David Sibray

Think you know West Virginia history? Then it’s time to put that knowledge to work and help save some of the state’s historic buildings. Historic buildings in West Virginia are getting a big boost from a new emergency fund that provided more than $20,000 to rescue initiatives in 2020. Organizers are kicking off a campaign … Read more

Fishing is a way of life in West Virginia where the National Park Service is holding a grandfamily fishing program.
Recreation

New River Gorge to host Oct. 10 grandfamilies fishing day

by David Sibray

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is hosting a second Grandfamilies Fishing Day in southern West Virginia on Saturday, October 10, 2020. At the park’s Camp Brookside Environmental Education Center near Hinton, West Virginia, the event invites grandchildren and their grandparents to participate free-of-charge and enjoy time in the great outdoors fishing or … Read more

A black bear pauses to investigate a photographer in West Virginia.
Communities

W.Va. DNR reports increased nuisance bear activity

by David Sibray

Due to an increase in nuisance bear activity being reported in West Virginia, biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources is asking residents to remove food and other attractants from around their homes to help reduce future incidents. The DNR has received more than 1,600 bear complaints in 2020, and bears have been spotted … Read more

Archery provides a safe alternative to fire arms in urban settings.
Hunting

Special urban deer archery season opens Sept. 5

by David Sibray

The opening of West Virginia’s archery and crossbow deer season is still a few weeks away, but hunters can get in the woods as early as September 5 when special deer archery hunts open in municipalities around the state. These urban deer archery hunts—coordinated by cities, towns, homeowner associations, and the West Virginia Division of … Read more

The Elk River flows past Big Chimney eat miles above its mouth at Charleston.
Recreation

State adds, upgrades kayaking access on Elk River

by David Sibray

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is upgrading public-access sites along the Elk River in Kanawha County and adding several new locations near Charleston where anglers and kayakers can put a boat into this popular waterway. Work is underway on new access sites at Clendenin and Big Chimney. Additionally, upgrades are being made to … Read more