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Nature Conservancy Reaches Landmark Agreement to Protect Smoke Hole

Elkins, WV—June 8, 2004—The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia has reached an historic agreement with the landowner of a 1,126-acre tract in the Smoke Hole region of Grant County to protect one of the most spectacular places in the eastern United States.  Steven J. McCormick, president and chief executive officer of The Nature Conservancy, addressed a group in Wheeling, W.Va. yesterday evening and publicly announced the agreement.   

“The protection of this property in the Smoke Hole is of global significance,” said McCormick, who traveled to Wheeling from the organization’s worldwide headquarters in Arlington, Va.  “While the project is significant at the local level, it is internationally important in our efforts to preserve plants and animals that represent the diversity of life on Earth.”

The Conservancy purchased a conservation easement from Wheeling native and owner of the Smoke Hole property, Edward W. Stifel, III.  The easement allows the organization to ecologically manage the land and protect it forever from development, mining and timbering.      

“Among the numerous species that will benefit from protection of the Smoke Hole are twelve that are globally rare,” said Rodney Bartgis, state director of the Conservancy’s West Virginia chapter.  Bartgis pointed out that the property contains part of the best remaining examples on Earth of three rare natural communities. 

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.
 
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.