Flooding limited to lower lattitudes

The North Branch in Cumberland showed almost no response to this week's storms that hit southern West Virginia particularly hard.  However, the North Fork of the South Branch at Petersburg rose by 10-15X in just a few hours or so (although well below the Action Level), and that was largely replicated 14 hours later in Springfield.

Earth with no water

BioBlitz opportunities in the DC area

Register:   www.surveymonkey.com/r/bioblitz-volunteer-dc

Floodplain Tree Planting

Our West Virginia State conservation agencies and state nurseries partner to provide landowners with trees for habitat, riparian zones, and other advantages.  Here are photos from a tree planting last Friday along the South Branch of the Potomac River near Springfield, WV.

Tree Planting - Rain or Shine - April 29 Taylor Farm

Weather may not be perfect on Friday (40%chance of precipitation), but the tree-planting in Springfield is still scheduled rain or shine.  Herb plants trees any time it's not flooding.  ;-)

When:  Friday, April 29, 10am to 2pm.

Location: Clarence Taylor Road off of Springfield Pike east of Springfield, WV.

Directions to the planting site:

From Romney …

Take 28 north to Springfield, WV. Turn right in Springfield onto Road. Travel @2.5 miles to Clarence Taylor Road. Make a left onto a gravel road and travel north to the planting site. Look for signs.

From Slanesville area…

Follow Slanesville Pike west towards the Points intersection. Go straight though the four way stop towards Springfield, WV. After crossing the over the South Branch bridge, take next right onto Clarence Taylor Road. It is 11.7 miles total from Slanesville. Look for signs.

Updated Cicada Map

Cicada Brood predications

Tree Planting - Springfield - April 29

Bald Eagle Chasing a Turkey Vulture

Three cool things about this video:

1. You can distinguish the eagle's very flat profile from the vulture's dihedral profile;
2. Impressive flying by the vulture, which often don't even flap their wings; and
3. The eagle's aggression ends harmlessly.

WVDNR Regulations Public Meetings

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Public meetings on proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations.
Please join WVDNR on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at one of the following locations:

• Glen Dale - John Marshall High School (Commons)
• Moorefield - South Branch Inn (Rt. 220)
• Elkins - DNR Operations Center
• Fayetteville - New River Gorge, Canyon Rim Visitor Center
• Logan - Chief Logan State Park Conference Center
• Parkersburg - City Building (Lobby) 

More info: http://www.wvdnr.gov/2016news/16news034.shtm

Online course for Virginia forest landowners

From  VT News:

March 7, 2016

Virginia forest landowners looking to gain an understanding of how to keep their woods healthy and productive can do so in the comfort of their own home.

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment are offering an online course to help private landowners become better stewards of their land.

The 12-week Online Woodland Options for Landowners course, which runs from May 2 to July 22, teaches basic management principles and techniques for both novice and veteran private forest landowners.

Materials provided include four reference books and a tree identification CD in addition to online reading materials and assignments. Natural resource professionals and experienced landowners serve as mentors for the students and