Projects and Research
Private landowners provide long-term stewardship of the land and are a key component in all successful restoration projects. We work with landowners and other partners to restore streams, wetlands, and forest and upland habitats for migratory birds and fish, pollinators, and federally listed species. Voluntary cost-share programs offer a chance to regain some of West Virginia's most important natural resources and build on the strength and interest of committed individuals and organizations to accomplish shared conservation goals. View our Projects page to learn more about some of the programs we work through to us help restore habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands.
The Potomac Headwaters Fish Passage Restoration Project is a watershed scale project to reconnect over 195 miles of habitat for brook trout, American eel, and other aquatic species in the Potomac Headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The project is composed of up to 17 fish passage barrier removal projects including culvert...
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on their property. The program’s focus is to restore habitat to benefit federally listed and at-risk species.
Who's Eligible?Technical assistance is available to all landowners. Financial assistance can not be spent on...
West Virginia’s Potomac Headwaters Home Rivers Initiative
Partners: Trout Unlimited, USDA Farm Service Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and West Virginia Conservation Agency
Location: Upper North Fork South Branch Potomac River, West Virginia
The need: High elevations and Project...
Removing three dams on the West Fork River back in 2016 has improved boating access and fish passage along the river. But perhaps more importantly to local residents, the river's water quality and drinking water is improved, and it's safe to go boating and swimming now that the dams have been removed. Indeed, the river is becoming a tourist destination for anglers and boaters - improving...
Across the landscape, undersized, aging and improperly placed road-stream crossings create barriers in our rivers, streams, and tidal wetlands. These structures fragment aquatic habitat and prevent or greatly reduce the ability of aquatic species to move freely to migrate, feed, and reproduce. These poorly designed structures are also more prone to clogging, causing flooding, and washing out...