An estimated 250 million tons of coal underlie southwestern Virginia watersheds where remarkable concentrations of imperiled freshwater mussels and fish cling to survival. In our recently published newsletter, read about how the Conservancy and its partners are bringing together conservationists and coal miners to address concerns about water quality. The full article is available by clicking here.

As a Conservancy member, you also will receive the following stories in your Fall/Winter 2007 Virginia News:

• The Conservancy is collaborating across four states to pursue goals and address threats throughout the globally important Central Appalachian Mountains, including Virginia's Allegheny Highlands and Clinch Valley. 
  
   
• The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation has helped the Conservancy and others protect nearly 32,000 acres, but are funding levels adequate in light of the state's conservation goals?
  
   
• Gov. Kaine joined the Conservancy and its partners to celebrate the protection of 4,200 acres along the Rappahannock River, the longest free-flowing river in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
  
   
• William Ginn engages in a conversation about Conservancy-wide forest conservation and market-based conservation initiatives.
  
   
• At the Virginia Coast Reserve, scientists with the Virginia Red Knot Stopover Project are racing the clock to understand recent declines of a key migratory bird.
  
   
• Wendy Paulson, volunteer board member and naturalist, talks about her passion for bird-watching, environmental education and the Potomac Gorge.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): © Byron Jorjorian (Clinch River); © Daniel White/TNC (Rappahannock River).