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Quick Links Conservation Strategies Program Milestones Places We Protect Warm Springs Mountain Potts Creek Shale Barren Laurel Fork Latest News Warm Springs Mountain 2008 Field Trip Schedule >> Contact Information Brad Kreps Allegheny Highlands Program Warm Springs, VA Phone: (540) 839-3599

Native Americans once gazed across this region's blue mountain ridges and proclaimed them "Allegheny"—Algonquin for “endless.” In 2002, the Conservancy protected over 9,000 acres on and around Warm Springs Mountain, located in the heart of the Allegheny Highlands. This key acquisition helps to safeguard the region’s lands and waters and remains the top fundraising priority for Virginia. 

Adjacent to the historic Homestead resort and the George Washington National Forest, Warm Springs Mountain Preserve is one of the largest and most biologically significant private forestlands in the Central Appalachians. The preserve stitches together hundreds of thousands of acres of protected lands to form an impressive wildlife corridor.  This greenway preserves habitat for several rare natural communities and an amazing diversity of native plant and animal species.  

Threats

• invasive species
• altered fire regimes
• forest pests and pathogens 
• incompatible forestry
• residential development

Plants

• Fraser’s marsh St. John’s wort
• bunchberry
• catawba rhododendron
• flame azalea

Animals

• migratory songbirds and raptors
• black bear
• timber rattlesnake
• dragonflies, damselflies, and rare moths

Natural Communities

• montane pine and shale barrens
• high elevation wetlands

Warm Springs Mountain Preserve © Byron Jorjorian

• Land protection:
  We purchase land or interests in land and accept donations of land or conservation easements from willing sellers and donors.
• Science-based conservation:
  Using our science-based methods, the Conservancy is developing a prescribed-fire management plan for Warm Springs Mountain and working with partners to determine best fire practices for the entire Allegheny Highlands landscape. 
• Ecological land management:
  Our invasive species program is an example of how effective land management helps us accomplish our goals. Considered the second greatest threat to biodiversity, non-native, invasive plants spread quickly, disrupt natural cycles, and crowd out native species. The Conservancy is working at our Warm Springs Mountain Preserve to control invasive plants such as garlic mustard.
• Education and outreach:
  We foster a conservation ethic and appreciation for nature through education and outreach. The Conservancy works to encourage thoughtful land-use planning and is helping local communities identify development approaches that preserve local character, history, traditions, and, ultimately, the ecosystem itself. The Conservancy also provides guided field trips on Warm Springs Mountain and welcomes the public to hike the preserve’s Ingalls interpretive trail.
• Help to shape public policies:
  The Conservancy has committed at least $10,000 in private funds toward a new state initiative, the Virginia Invasive Species Council, to combat invasive species and has joined a coalition of public and private groups to launch Virginiaforever, a campaign to garner increased public support and state funding for conservation.
• Community-based conservation:
  With an office in Warm Springs, Virginia, the Conservancy works in close partnership with local communities, public land managers, and private landowners. Together we share an incredible opportunity to protect the health and beauty of the Allegheny Highlands.

Program Milestones and Achievements

• Acquired more than 9,000 acres of critical native forest on Warm Springs Mountain and currently fundraising to secure permanent protection.

• Science staff targeted a core 5,000-acre area for invasive species control.

• Opened community-based program office in the village of Warm Springs.

• Established Ingalls Overlook Trail for hiking and passive nature study.