None The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia Press Releases Search All Press Releases Jonathan Harvey Phone: (304) 345-4350

Rahall to Address State Business Leaders at Nature Conservancy Event

Charleston, WV—May 27, 2004—The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia announced today that Congressman Nick Rahall will be the keynote speaker for the organization’s Corporate Council for the Environment dinner on Thursday evening, March 27 at Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston.  The Corporate Council for the Environment is a coalition of businesses supporting the Conservancy’s efforts to protect the remarkable biodiversity that exists in West Virginia.     

Congressman Rahall has endorsed the Conservancy’s work over the last several years.  His most substantial achievement for the organization to date came in 2000 through an appropriation for the largest private conservation success in the state’s history—the protection of 57,000 acres on Cheat Mountain.  The Congressman has also been involved in many other conservation projects, particularly in the New, Gauley and Bluestone river watersheds.   

With the assistance of the Corporate Council for the Environment, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 100,000 acres across West Virginia and established a network of 24 preserves.  In the last four years alone, the organization has protected 60,000 acres, established three new preserves, implemented restoration and management programs throughout the state, completed planning for key landscapes and developed unique partnerships with private landowners to help them manage their lands sustainably. 

Among the leading supporters of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia are American Electric Power, The Arnold Agency, CONSOL, Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, Columbia Natural Resources, LLC, Dinguss-Rum Properties, Dominion, and MeadWestvaco.  

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  The Nature Conservancy manages approximately 1,400 nature preserves and has protected 117 million acres worldwide.  Information about The Nature Conservancy can be obtained by visiting nature.org or by calling (304) 345-4350.