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Central Appalachians
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee
Why are the Central Appalachian Mountains Special?
More than 250 million years ago, as ancestral Africa ground against North America, layers of rock were thrust up, folded and shuffled to create a jagged mountain chain likely rivaling the Himalayas. Over eons, erosion and other weathering forces have worn down the Appalachians to the undulating ridges we see today. This geologic jumble has spawned natural diversity that few temperate places on Earth can rival. The Central Appalachians not only bridge the southern and northern mountain ranges—Conservancy priorities as well—but also serve as an ecological crossroads. Hospitable for many southern and northern species alike, and having escaped the scouring of glaciers during the most recent ice age, the Central Appalachians have produced one of the world’s richest temperate deciduous broadleaf forests.
Powering Up Conservation Efforts
Protecting nature in the face of energy development in West Virginia.
See how the Conservancy is responding to energy development in Pennsylvania.
What’s the connection between China and the Central Appalachians?
Conserving cave and karst habitats protects ground water resources and species diversity.
Forests and Climate Change Quiz
Test your knowledge of forests and climate change!
See a slideshow of the Central Appalachians' migratory songbirds.
Central Appalachians Slideshow
See a slideshow of the beautiful Central Appalachians
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