Nature lovers, rejoice! Two pristine and globally unique ecosystems in Canaan Valley Resort State Park (CVRSP) were designated as the first tracts in the new West Virginia Natural Areas Program. Encompassing a combined 2,200 acres, the Bald Knob and Canaan Valley Wetland natural areas were selected for their concentrations of globally rare plants and animals, high conservation priorities, and distinct natural features.
As the highest large valley east of the Mississippi, Canaan is already widely known for its stunning vistas, wild weather, and year-round outdoor recreation. With the addition of these WV Natural Areas, CVRSP is now officially recognized for its stunning biodiversity.
The WV Natural Areas Program, administered by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), was established in February 2021 and aims to protect areas already under DNR management that “possess significant natural importance in the conservation of the state’s, and in many cases the world’s, rarest plant and animal species.”
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