BAINBRIDGE, Ohio — The Arc of Appalachia Land Conservancy has initiated an emergency fundraising campaign to secure the 1,200-acre Wild Rock Canyon forest in West Virginia, located approximately 12 miles east of New River Gorge National Park. The nonprofit organization needs to raise $1.5 million by September 9, 2024, to complete the purchase of the property. As of now, $800,000 has been pledged by individual donors.
Wild Rock Canyon features a steep ravine extending 1,000 feet from ridge to canyon floor and is bordered by 12 miles of forest. This acquisition would mark a significant expansion of the conservancy’s efforts, extending their conservation work into West Virginia and creating a network of forest preserves across both Ohio and West Virginia. The Wild Rock Canyon project is the first initiative of the conservancy to cross the Ohio River.
Nancy Stranahan, Director of the Arc of Appalachia, highlighted the unique opportunity presented by Wild Rock Canyon. “Never have we seen a forest for sale that was so large, affordable in price, intact, and drenched with wildlife. Did we mention bears? Wild Rock Canyon has a stunning number of bears!” said Arc of Appalachia Director Nancy Stranahan. “To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to unite the forests of southern Ohio and West Virginia in a focused preservation region. Of the Arc of Appalachia’s 28 existing preserves in Ohio, only one is larger than 1200 acres.” She also emphasized the importance of this project in uniting the forests of southern Ohio and West Virginia into a cohesive preservation region.
The Arc of Appalachia, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Great Eastern Forest, has already preserved 11,115 acres in southern Appalachian Ohio. For more information or to contribute to the campaign, visit www.arcofappalachia.org/wild.
