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Dawn high above Canaan Valley, in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia. — Bear Rocks Preserve Dawn high above Canaan Valley, in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia. © Kent Mason

Priority Landscapes

Central Appalachians

Scientists predict the iconic Central Appalachians will withstand climate change and help ensure nature’s survival.

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We're working across six states — Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee — to protect this critical stronghold. Adopt an Acre in the Appalachians and you’ll help protect the Appalachians now and for future generations.

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Panther Knob Preserve in West Virginia

Places We Protect

Natural Climate Solutions in West Virginia

The Central Appalachians will help ensure nature’s survival as climate change alters natural areas and weather patterns.

A person ties red ribbon around trees in a forest.

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Pennsylvania Working Woodlands

The Nature Conservancy’s Working Woodlands program is a partnership between the Conservancy and private landowners to protect and sustainably manage privately owned forests.

Dan Feller swabs a hibernating tricolor bat

Feature

Bat Mines

New research is shedding light—ultraviolet light—on a disease that has decimated western Maryland's bats.

By Severn Smith

Western Maryland's resilient forests

Program Overview

Restoring Appalachian Forests

Keeping western Maryland’s forests healthy and connected.

Ferns cover the woodland floor at The Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp Preserve in northern West Virginia. — Central Appalachians Ferns cover the woodland floor at The Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp Preserve in northern West Virginia. © Kent Mason

Places We Protect

Explore the Central Appalachians

The Central Appalachians region spans six states and more than 50,000 square miles of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in America.

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Places in the Central Appalachians

Boardwalk through the wetlands of The Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp Preserve in West Virginia. — Cranesville Swamp Boardwalk through the wetlands of The Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp Preserve in West Virginia. © Kent Mason

Bear Loop overlook at Warm Springs Mountain, Virginia. — Endless Mountains Bear Loop overlook at Warm Springs Mountain, Virginia. © Jennifer Dalke / TNC

The forests of the Clinch Valley help filter and protect the last free-flowing tributaries of the Tennessee River system. — Clinch Valley The forests of the Clinch Valley help filter and protect the last free-flowing tributaries of the Tennessee River system. © Jon Golden

Autumn in the barrens at the Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain — Moosic Mountain Barrens Autumn in the barrens at the Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain © George C. Gress/The Nature Conservancy

West Branch of the Penobscot River and tributaries as it winds to the southeast of Mount Katahdin. — Penobscot River West Branch of the Penobscot River and tributaries as it winds to the southeast of Mount Katahdin. © Bridget Besaw

in Kentucky during Autumn. — Bad Branch State Nature Preserve in Kentucky during Autumn. © Devan King / TNC

Obed River — Obed River Obed River © Byron Jorjorian

Springtime scene at The Nature Conservancy's Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. A flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens up to the sky. — Bear Rocks Preserve Springtime scene at The Nature Conservancy's Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. A flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens up to the sky. © Kent Mason

Rafters at this popular West Virginia spot, which was protected thanks to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. — New River Gorge Rafters at this popular West Virginia spot, which was protected thanks to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. © Kent Mason