ELKINS, W.Va., – Northern Research Station scientists invite you to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Fernow Experimental Forest by joining a tour of research sites Saturday, May 4, at 1 p.m. Participants will drive their own cars to each of the sites.
Meet at the equipment sheds on Forest Road 701 (GPS Coordinates 39.060633, -79.669413) to begin the tour. Stops include a visit to weir ponds to hear about watershed research, a one mile walk along the Zero Grade trail to see the longest running forestry study on the Forest and hands-on demonstrations of forestry tools. The formal tour will end around 4 p.m. with cake to celebrate the anniversary. For more information about the tour route, visit https://www.nrs.fs.fed.
The Fernow Experimental Forest was established March 28, 1934, to address water quantity, water quality and timber quality issues. Today, forest health and clean water are still a focus, but data from the Fernow Experimental Forest also contributes scientific research on issues that had not been identified 85 years ago, such as biodiversity, endangered species management, carbon sequestration, atmospheric deposition and climate change.
For more details and to sign up for the tour, please contact Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy at 304-478-2000, extension 114 ormelissa.a.thomas-van.gundy@
Additional information about the Fernow Experimental Forest and its 85th anniversary are at:https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/