The Clover Lane Farm is a highly desirable 1630 acre +/- multi-use mountain farm and forest that offers the opportunity to enjoy a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle. The property is well suited for agricultural pursuits, outdoor recreation, timberland investment, wildlife/nature connection and residential development. This multi-generation, privately owned parcel, provides ultimate privacy and complete insulation from the outside world.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 1630 acre+/- classic multiple-use parcel located in Pocahontas County WV, the “Birthplace of Five Rivers”
• Adjoins the Monongahela National Forest for over 2 miles
• Located in West Virginia’s “Radio Quite Zone”. This area offers substantial relief to those suffering from magnetic sensitivity.
• The original circa 1915 farm home has been fully restored and commands outstanding views of the surrounding mountains (most always has a pleasant breeze).
• A very nice tenant home that is great for weekend getaways or year round living
• Tremendous water resources with Glade Run and Clover Creek providing some 5 miles of blue line streams plus mountain springs, several ephemeral and intermittent streams and one acre farm pond
• 900 acres +/- of valuable Appalachian hardwood timber ready for harvest offers immediate cash flow opportunity
• 600 acres +/- dedicated to hay production and livestock grazing currently leased
• Several original barns and other farm buildings plus a nice farm tenant home
• Property has been closed to the public for many decades creating a nature sanctuary
• Conveying with all timber, surface rights, and mineral right in title
• Long-term wildlife management with professional forest stewardship
• Highly productive wetlands associated with creek side riparian zones
• An abundant and diverse wildlife population – Boone and Crockett country
• Extraordinary rock outcrops, huge moss & lichen covered boulders
• Accessed by state-maintained roads
• Potential landing of small planes on farm’s fields
• Miles of networked interior trails provide access to nearly every corner
• Nearby Greenbrier River is perfect for anglers and water recreation enthusiasts
• Long-range views approaching 30 miles
• Commercially – operable ground supporting farming, forestry, recreation and future cabin sites
• 30 minutes to Snowshoe Ski Resort, Cass Scenic Railroad and Seneca State Forest
• Varied topography with seasonal streams interspersed with flats and hillsides
• Elevations range from 2290’ to over 4076’
• Electric and phone at the property line
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution
• Perfect area for watersports, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding
• Birding: The property is an excellent site for birdwatching. Thousands of square miles of Appalachian hardwood trees surround the farm providing a habitat for wood warblers, vireos, thrushes, chats, cuckoos, ovenbirds, and many other forest dwelling birds. There is an abundance of wetlands that is attractive to waterfowl.
• 1630 acres +/- sequesters tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of Oxygen
• Shopping and city/town amenities, hospitals available in Marlinton (30 minutes) or Elkins (90 minutes)

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.354131°(N), -79.981000°(W)
Address: 691 Meeks Road, Cass, WV 24927
Elevation Range: 2290 ft. to 4076 ft. +/-

20 minutes to Cass Scenic Railroad
30 minutes to Snowshoe Mountain Resort
30 minutes to Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory
30 minutes to Seneca State Forest and Lake
35 minutes to Marlinton
1.5 hours to Elkins
1.5 hours to Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg
1.5 hours to White Sulphur Springs

WATER RESOURCES

The headwaters of Glade Run and a couple of supporting smaller creeks, all being blue line streams, appear to be on the northern tract of the property for a total of over 2 miles.  The northern tract also has a 1-acre pond.  Nicely wide Clover Creek and 3 supporting smaller creeks, also all being blue line streams, appear to be on the southern tract of the property for a total of about 3 miles.  Those streams should have flow for most of the year, especially during rain events and periods of snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the U.S. that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. All rights the owner has in title will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

Some boundaries are evidenced by fencing, county roads and National Forest boundary marking.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: A drilled water well is onsite providing water for the home
Sewer: A private septic system is installed at the home
Electricity: On site
Telephone: On site

**This area is part of the official Greenbank Observatory “Quite Zone” so there is no cellphone Coverage available.  This area offers substantial relief to those suffering from magnetic sensitivity.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

For the large northern tract, Meeks Road Rt. 1/22 travels along and into the property.  For the large southern tract, Linwood Road Rt. 9 appears to travel through the northern section of the tract for about 4/10 mile while Beverage Road Rt. 9/2 appears to travel along a section of its northwestern border for about 1.1 miles, and Edray Road Rt. 1 appears to travel along a section of its southern border for about 1.4 miles.

ZONING

Pocahontas County currently has no zoning outside of corporations and flood zone areas. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property is currently comprised of home grounds, active fields, early fields now in brushy overgrowth, and forestland.  A breakdown, as determined from aerial photography is as follows:

Total areas of home grounds: 5 acres +/-
Total areas of current fields: 600 acres +/-
Total areas of early fields now in brushy overgrowth: 115 acres +/-
Total areas of open utility rights-of-way: 10 acres +/-
Total areas of forestland: 900 acres +/-

(This summary is only an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography.   It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED AND TAXES

Deed Information: Deed Book 309 Page 90
Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Acreage: 1630 acres +/-.
Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Pocahontas County (38), West Virginia
Edray District (3)
Map 24A Parcels 2 & 3; Map 28 Parcel 1; Map 29 Parcels 2 through 6, and Map 31 Parcel 10; all being Class 2

Total 2020 Real Estate Taxes: $2142

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Public Elementary Schools:
Green Bank Elementary – Middle School
Hillsboro Elementary School
Marlinton Elementary School

Public Middle Schools:
Green Bank Elementary – Middle School
Marlinton Middle School

Public High School:
Pocahontas County High School

EASEMENTS

• Thirty (30-ft) foot county road (CR-1) is a boundary with the property.
• County, State, and Federal access is granted by public law under the Patriot Act for law enforcement actions by authorized persons on official business.
• County and State forest fire suppression actions as required to contain a forest fire by authorized persons and equipment per state law.
• Appalachian Power, the utility service in the area, has a (100-ft wide) service and transmission line easement through the property. Local service normally runs along the county roadway.
• The telephone land line service runs on poles with the local electrical service.
• There is a fifty-foot (50-ft) Gas pipeline easement which runs along Meek’s Road (CR 1/22 and county roadway (CR-1) through a portion of the property.
• There are no environmental, public or private easements, or restrictions, gifts, etc. effecting the surface or mineral property.

OTHER INFORMATION

• State maintained all-weather road; CR-1 runs through the property.
• Power and communications run along the county roadway on line poles.
• There is no mobile phone service in the area. (Radio Quite Zone)
• Excellent shortwave radio reception or satellite phone work well.
• The sky explodes with stars at night. The Milky Way is spectacular. Very low light pollution on the property.
• Satellite service is available in the area. Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite System may be coming soon.
• County Road CR-1 is not a coal truck haulage route. There are no mines operating in the area. Traffic is very light and mostly local.
• Regular school bus service is available for K-12 along County Road CR-1 for the county consolidated school system.
• Shopping and city/town amenities available in Marlinton (30 minutes) or Elkins (90 minutes)

RECREATION AT CLOVER LANE FARM

Clover Lane Farm offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are possible within the boundaries of the vast 1630 acres +/-.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, hawks.

• The property has not been open to the public for many decades.

• Birding. The property is an excellent site for birdwatching. Thousands of square miles of Appalachian hardwood trees, fields, and mixed brushy habitat surround the farm providing a habitat for wood warblers, vireos, thrushes, chats, cuckoos, ovenbirds, and many other forest dwelling birds. There is an abundance of wetlands that is attractive to waterfowl.
• The land is posted as a “Closed Area” to the public.
• The wildlife thrives throughout the property owing to the freedom from of public hunting or chasing pressures.

Stargazing-Planet Observation. Complete darkness can be found on most of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view and photograph the night sky in all its brilliant wonder. Astrophotography and Star Walking are top-shelf pastimes.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the Greenbrier River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

• Paintball-Airsoft-Laser tag-Archery tag
• Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays
• Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
• Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports.  The property has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain. Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking.   The property’s excellent network of trails may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

Rock Crawling & Rock Bouncing.  Several areas of the property afford a topographic opportunity for the Extreme Off-Road adventurist to enjoy the increasingly popular Motorsport of Rock Crawling and Rock Bouncing.

Hunting can be a first-class experience. Trophy white tail deer & black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population. This property has an unbelievable assortment of wildlife.

• The property has not been open to public for several decades. The land is posted as a “Closed Area”. The wildlife thrives throughout the property owing to the historic freedom from outside hunting pressures.
• Property has a network of private interior trails that are closed to the public. These trails are accessible.
• The property is locally noted as a “Boone & Crocket” type wildlife habitat

AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION

• The farm is currently being leased as a seasonal grazing boundary (cattle)
• 600 acres +/- in hay and pasture
• 115 acres +/- of pastureland transitioning between pasture and brush (could put back in production)
• 900 +/- acres valuable timber
• 4 original wooden barns (two with grain silos)
• Machine-storage sheds
• One-acre farm pond

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

There are approximately 900 +/- acre forested acres composed of some very large, high quality Appalachian hardwoods. Some of this timber will contain veneer logs for export. This well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

• Prudent forest management called for timed selective harvests on portions of the forest under the supervision of a registered forester. Residual timber in these areas are considered well stocked.
• The remaining portion of the forest has not been harvested for many decades. No capital value on this area has been established.
• Timber stands are generally fully stocked with excellent stem quality.

Species composition: The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• Black Cherry
• Sugar Maple
• Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
• Red Oak Group
• White Oak/Chestnut Oak
• Soft Maple
• Hickory
• As well as a host of other species (birch, beech, sassafras, wahoo, buckeye)

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, providing the next ownership with a great deal of flexibility in shaping their own silvicultural legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant current and future veneer source.

The timber component has been well managed over the years and generally consists of 40-120-year-old stems ranging in size of 10”-36” dbh. Many sections of the forest are ready for a selective thinning which will generate considerable income.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum with a notable mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock.

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest creekside edges. These ancient trees, some 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire. The forest is healthy and presently there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Wooly adelgid are present and the Ash component will be eliminated by the borer in the next decade.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

WILDLIFE REFUGE

The property has not been open to the public for many decades. The land is posted as a “Closed Area”. The game thrives on the property because it is free of outside hunting or chasing pressures.

Property has a network of private interior trails that are closed to the public. The property has a mixture of mature hardwood species. The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the nearby river and creeks, creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between cleared area, powerline, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the local wildlife. White tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, trophy feral hogs, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

The hardwood forest provides the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns, hickory nuts, and beech nuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

An abundance of water is a major contributor to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. Some 5 miles of blue line streams (Glade Run and Clover Lick), and additional ephemeral streams support the surrounding aquatic plant life and create a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the property are fringed by lowlands, and these lowlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shore of the streams. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed and algae.

There are many animals, including raccoons, opossums, wood ducks, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, hawks and redwing blackbirds associated with the creeks riparian area. There is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larve.

THE FARMHOUSE, TENANT HOUSE & OUTBUILDINGS

The Clover Lane Farm’s original home and associated buildings date to circa 1915.  This classic two story farm-style home has been fully restored and is very conducive to easy year-round living. The home has its own drilled water well and septic system.

The two-story home has approximately 3,000 sq. ft containing 5 bedrooms, one bath, kitchen, dining room, library, foyer, and pantry and basement. The home also has large covered porches creating additional seasonal living space.

The original farm buildings that supported the day to day activities of living on a self-sustaining mountain farm include a Blacksmith shop, Carpenter shop, Chicken Coop and vehicle garage.

The Tenant home was built around 1940 and is in good very good repair. This 1,400 sqft +/- nice home contains a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, one bath, laundry room and pantry. A large outside deck provides additional seasonal space.

MAIN RESIDENCE
Total Heated Living Space 2,744 sq. ft.

1st Floor

Living Room 16’x 13’+ 7′
Kitchen 15’x 32′
Dining 15’x 13′
Library 13’x 12′
Foyer 10’x 13′
Pantry 7’x 5′

2nd Floor

Bedroom #1 13’x 12’+ 7′
Bedroom #2 16’x 12’+ 7′
Bedroom #3 12’x 12′
Bedroom #4 7’x 15′
Bedroom #5 15’x 12′
Bath 8.5’x 7.5′

Unfinished Partial Basement 818 sq. ft.

TENANT RESIDENCE
Total Living Space 1,228 sq. ft.

Living Room 16’x 23′
Kitchen 12’x 15′
Bedroom 12’x 14′
Bedroom 12’x 11′
Bath 12’x 8′
Laundry 12’x 11′
Pantry 11’x 6′

CARBON SEQUESTRATION & OXYGEN RELEASE

The Clover Lane Farm is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and Carbon Sequester. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. With 1630 acres +/-, the vigorously growing forest and farm grasses are sequestering approximately 200,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year.

There could be over 600,000 tons of Oxygen being produced each year.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products. Here are some specific examples of crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms • Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 175 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property would be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs or a drilled well
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, squirrel and turkey)
• More land could be cleared, and the land would be used to raise livestock, vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (beechnuts and hickory nuts)

ABOUT THE REGION

Clover Lane Farm is located in north central Pocahontas County in the mountains of southeastern West Virginia. The Pocahontas County region is renowned for its highland forests—woodlands that ascend to windswept summits more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Its highest peaks are among the highest in the Allegheny range of the Appalachian Mountain.

Though home to fewer than 9,000 residents, the county is among the largest in West Virginia at 942 square miles and includes vast areas of forest, much of which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Monongahela National Forest.

Much of the county lies within the National Radio Quiet Zone, an area of 110 square miles in Virginia and West Virginia in which radio transmissions are heavily restricted to facilitate scientific research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank in northern Pocahontas County.

Heavy snows in the higher elevations may render forest roads impassable through much of the winter, though the valleys along the Greenbrier enjoy moderate winter weather. Heavy snows in December, January, and February help sustain tourism when more than 400,000 skiers and winter-sports enthusiasts visit Snowshoe Mountain, Silver Creek Resort, and the Elk River Touring Center.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

POCAHONTAS COUNTY
Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is set deep in the Allegheny Mountains, separating West Virginia from Virginia, and called “the birthplace of rivers”. The Greenbrier, Gauley, Elk, Cherry, Cranberry, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat rivers all begin in these pristine mountains. The area is rooted in its crystal clear streams, native brook trout, roaring waterfalls, and unique history.

Pocahontas County is the “Alaska of the East”. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound from Hunting on private lands and the Monongahela National Forest, and Fishing in the Greenbrier River, Shavers Fork, Buffalo Lake and the countless native trout streams, Snow Skiing at Snowshoe, and Mountain Biking at Seneca State Forest and the Greenbrier River Trail.

In historic Durbin, WV, you have the opportunity to ride & experience the sights and sounds of one of the rarest steam locomotives in existence. The DURBIN FLYER Excursion Train is powered by a rare steam locomotive; Old #3 is one of only three operating Climax geared logging locomotives on earth!

For the water enthusiast, the property fronts the Greenbrier River for about 1500 feet. The Greenbrier is the last un-dammed river east of the Mississippi and offers a great float/canoe/kayak experience. The fishing for small mouth bass is considered excellent.

The property fronts the Greenbrier River Trail for over one mile between mile markers 78 and 79, just 7 miles from its terminus at Cass. The GRT is an 86-mile rails to trails system and offers exceptional hiking and biking opportunities along the scenic Greenbrier River.

Within a short drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Snowshoe Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the Tygart, New River and Gauley Rivers, the 48,000 acre Cranberry Wilderness, the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park, and whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley Rivers. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is a 15 minute leisurely drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The world renowned Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 1 ½ hour drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, and rock climbing opportunities.

Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, The Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass and the National Radio Observatory in Green Bank are other area attractions that make this region of the state one of the most sought after to live and play.

SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN
This relaxed ski resort sits on 251 acres of skiable terrain and 11,000 acres of wilderness nestled amid the Allegheny Mountains, which are part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range. It is positioned in the bowl shaped convergence of Cheat and Back Allegheny mountains, at the head of the Shavers Fork and Cheat River.

Snowshoe is home to the second highest point in the state and the peak elevation for Cheat Mountain, at Thorny Flat, which reaches 4,848 feet above sea level. More than 5,000 guests enjoy Snowshoe’s slopes each season. In addition to Snowshoe’s remarkable ski and winter activities, it offers exciting summer activities such as extensive mountain biking trails, hiking trails, guided tours, horseback riding, ATV riding, a popular golf course designed by Gary Player, wedding and convention areas, and various other summer outdoor activities for all ages.

THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
The Monongahela National Forest was established in 1920 and is encompasses about one million acres. Located in the north central highlands of West Virginia, the Monongahela straddles the highest ridges in the State. Elevation ranges from just under 1000′ to 4863′ above sea level. Variations in terrain and precipitation have created one of the most ecologically diverse National Forests in the country.

Visitors to this beautiful forest enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful country roads, gently flowing streams, and glimpses of the many species of plants and animals that inhabit the Forest. You will also see a ‘working’ forest, which produces timber, water, grazing, minerals and recreational opportunities for the region and nation.

The landscape goals for management of the Monongahela are for a largely natural appearing and diverse forest, which provides outstanding dispersed recreation opportunities and supporting developed facilities. Dispersed recreation opportunities abound for hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and so on. Developed sites provide the tourism destination facilities and base camps so important to the efforts of local Convention and Visitor Bureaus, local communities, and other non-government agencies. Forest Plan Management Prescriptions favor non-motorized recreation for ecological reasons.

The forest is noted for its rugged landscape with spectacular views, blueberry thickets, highland bogs and “sods”, and open areas with exposed rocks. In addition to the second-growth forest trees, the wide range of botanical species found includes rhododendron, laurel on the moist west side of the Allegheny Front, and cactus and endemic shale barren species on the drier eastern slopes.

There are 230 known species of birds inhabiting the MNF: 159 are known to breed there, 89 are Neotropical migrants; 71 transit the forest during migration, but do not breed there, and 17 non-breeding species are Neotropical. The Brooks Bird Club (BBC) conducts an annual bird banding and survey project in the vicinity of Dolly Sods Scenic Area during migration (August – September). The forest provides habitat for 9 federally listed endangered or threatened species: 2 bird species, 2 bat species, 1 subspecies of flying squirrel, 1 salamander species, and 3 plant species. Fifty other species of rare/sensitive plants and animals also occur in the forest.

Larger animals and game species found in the forest include black bear, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hare, woodcock, and grouse. Limited waterfowl habitat exists in certain places. Furbearers include beaver, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, river otter, raccoon and mink. Other hunted species include coyotes, skunks, opossums, woodchucks, crows, and weasels. There are 12 species of game (pan) fish and 60 species of non-game or forage fish. Some 90% of the trout waters of West Virginia are within the forest.

THE GREENBRIER RIVER
The upper Greenbrier River possesses the excitement of life on one of the nation’s great wild rivers. The focus of a vast outdoor-recreation destination, it flows untamed out of the lofty Alleghenies, attracting anglers, paddlers, and naturalists from across the globe.

At 162 miles long, the Greenbrier is the longest undammed river left in the Eastern United States. It is primarily used for recreational pursuits and well known for its fishing, canoeing, kayaking and floating opportunities. Its upper reaches flow through the Monongahela National Forest, and it is paralleled for 77 miles by the Greenbrier River Trail, a rail trail which runs between the communities of Cass and North Caldwell.

It has always been a valuable water route, with the majority of the important cities in the watershed being established river ports. The river gives the receiving waters of the New River an estimated 30% of its water volume. Over three-fourths of the watershed is an extensive karstic (cavern system), which supports fine trout fishing, cave exploration and recreation. Many important festivals and public events are held along the river throughout the watershed.

The Greenbrier is formed at Durbin in northern Pocahontas County by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River, both of which are short streams rising at elevations exceeding 3,300 feet and flowing for their entire lengths in northern Pocahontas County. From Durbin the Greenbrier flows generally south-southwest through Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Summers Counties, past several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton, where it flows into the New River.

Along most of its course, the Greenbrier accommodated the celebrated Indian warpath known as the Seneca Trail (Great Indian Warpath). From the vicinity of present-day White Sulphur Springs the Trail followed Anthony’s Creek down to the Greenbrier near the present Pocahontas-Greenbrier County line. It then ascended the River to the vicinity of Hillsboro and Droop Mountain and made its way through present Pocahontas County by way of future Marlinton, Indian Draft Run, and Edray.

NEARBY HISTORIC GREENBRIER COUNTY
Lewisburg, which is the Greenbrier County seat, was voted the Coolest Small Town in America in 2011, combining the warmth of a close community with the sophistication of more urban locations. The thriving downtown historic district offers year-round live productions presented at the State Professional Theatre of WV, Carnegie Hall, distinctive dining venues, antique shops, award-winning galleries/boutiques, and two summer-season farmer’s markets. Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is a modern hospital and all attendant medical facilities, along with the many big box stores.

Lewisburg is home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, medical, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

The world-renowned Greenbrier Resort, with 800 rooms and 1600 employees, is located nearby in the sleepy little town of White Sulphur Springs. The 4-Star resort has a subterranean casino and is home to the PGA tour, the “Greenbrier Classic.” Several other area golf courses are available in the area – including Oakhurst Links, America’s first golf course, where guests play using old style hickory-handled clubs and ground-burrowing golf balls!
The Greenbrier County Airport with WV’s longest runway provides daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC. A picturesque train ride from White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other locations. By car, DC is 4 hours away and Charlotte is only 4.

GREEN BANK OBSRVATORY – “A NATIONAL RADIO QUITE ZONE”

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, or GBT, is the world’s premiere single-dish radio telescope operating at meter to millimeter wavelengths. Its enormous 100-meter diameter collecting area, its unblocked aperture, and its excellent surface accuracy provide unprecedented sensitivity across the telescope’s full 0.1 – 116 GHz (3.0m – 2.6mm) operating range.

The single focal plane is ideal for rapid, wide-field imaging systems – cameras. Because the GBT has access to 85% of the celestial sphere, it serves as the wide-field imaging complement to ALMA and the EVLA. Its operation is highly efficient, and it is used for observations about 6500 hours every year, with 2000-3000 hours per year available to high frequency science.

Part of the scientific strength of the GBT is its flexibility and ease of use, allowing for rapid response to new scientific ideas. It is scheduled dynamically to match project needs to the available weather. The GBT is also readily reconfigured with new and experimental hardware, adopting the best technology for any scientific pursuit. Facilities of the Green Bank Observatory are also used for other scientific research, for many programs in education and public outreach, and for training students and teachers.

Quick Facts about the GBT:

• The GBT is running observations roughly 6,500 hours each year, more than any other observatory
• For each hour of time available for science on the GBT, roughly 3-4 hours are requested
• More than 600 individual scientists and students proposed to use the GBT within the past year
• More than $25,000,000 has been invested in the GBT in the past five years by colleges, universities, the NSF, and the state of West Virginia
• The surface of the GBT is perfectly smooth to a noise level of 260 microns (5 human hairs)
• The pointing accuracy of the GBT is 2 arc seconds, able to resolve a quarter at 3 miles
• The GBT weighs almost 17 million pounds and stands over 485 feet above ground level. The GBT’s collecting area is 2.34 acres and its diameter is 300 feet
• The GBT operates 24 hours/day, 362 days/year
• The operational funding provided by the NSF is approximately 0.1% of the NSF astronomy budget