Small Tract, Big Impact: NWTF and Partners Increase Public Access in West Virginia

Prior to this land acquisition, there were roughly 9 acres of private land separating the road from the national forest. The West Virginia NWTF State Chapter provided $25,000 to the WVDNR to purchase the land from a local logger, providing unfettered public access to the Mountain State’s natural resources within the national forest. 

The land is now owned and maintained by the WVDNR, and there are plans in the works to build a visitor parking lot and an information kiosk for hikers, hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. 

“One of the primary concerns expressed by hunters is the lack of access to quality hunting areas,” said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist for North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. “This area of the forest has several miles of private land frontage between the highway and the national forest. Sportsmen access was limited, and this 4 1/2-acre purchase supported by the West Virginia NWTF State Chapter Super Fund will provide an entry and parking area bordering the national forest for foot access onto the forest at a high-elevation ridge top.” 

For many, access to the national forest is the difference between being able to enjoy the outdoors or staying home. Families looking for a short hike, anglers in search of a new fishing spot, and hunters eager to explore new ground will all benefit from this new entry point. Although just a few acres were purchased, it opens the door to thousands of acres of wild public land that will be enjoyed for generations to come. 

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, administered as one unit, are nearly 1.8 million acres in size, with just a small part in West Virginia and the vast majority in Virginia. The Virginia and West Virginia NWTF state chapters have partnered on numerous agreements in the last 15 years to administer over $5 million for habitat improvements and access projects within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. 

“Ask any number of hunters to name their biggest complaint about hunting opportunities or barriers to getting involved hunting, and access to public lands is going to be very high on the list,” said Jesse Warner, NWTF R3 coordinator for the Northeast. “While 4 1/2 acres might not seem like much to some, this purchase highlights that seemingly small efforts can provide huge dividends for the outdoor community. When we were first working out the goals and priorities for the Forests and Flocks Initiative, one of our main goals was working on improving access to huntable lands for everyone to enjoy, and this transaction hits that nail on the head, providing the perfect avenue of access into our public lands to hunt and recreate on.” 

About the National Wild Turkey Federation     

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations