Stewards of Shavers Fork debuts on PBS, watch parties scheduled

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Stewards of Shavers Fork, which premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 10 on the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Channel (PBS), is the story about how one of West Virginia’s most iconic rivers and watersheds came back to life.
Lead by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources with assistance from West Virginia University and Canaan Valley Institute, this short documentary film chronicles how primeval spruce forests, century-old steam locomotives and ghost towns all influenced modern restoration efforts to save the river’s brook trout, West Virginia’s only native trout.
Join some of the cast, crew and restoration experts for a watch party at Stumptown Ales in Davis at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 10 for the debut. Other watch parties will be held at El Gran Sabor, 413 Kerens Avenue, Elkins and B&D GastroPub, 200 35th Street, Charleston. More locations are also planned.
While enjoying craft beers, viewers will be transported back to the time when the river was buzzing with activity from logging and mining. Stewards of Shavers Fork highlights the important role trains played in restoration efforts by transporting needed materials and equipment to rugged sections of the river.
“This film gives viewers a glimpse of one of West Virginia’s most treasured landscapes,” Canaan Valley Institute Executive Director Jennifer Newland said. “Viewers will learn about the unique characteristics of the Shavers Fork watershed such as its high elevation, its value to generations of hunters and fishermen and the amazing mix of plants and animals that thrive in the wild reaches of the watershed.”
Follow along with restoration experts as they reconnect small cool water streams with the mainstem of the Shavers Fork River that increased the variety of habitats in the river, critical to native brook trout. See first-hand the efforts to reverse impacts from railroad grades, roads, mining, and timber harvest.
During the documentary, viewers will also be treated to magnificent views of the high Allegheny Mountains and remnants of spruce forests. These forests served as refuges for plants and animals during the last ice age and remain important areas for special species today like black bear, bobcats and cranberries.
This documentary film, like the restoration work, was a cooperative effort. The filmmakers are grateful to a diverse cast and many partners who continue to work to restore the Shavers Fork.
Stewards of Shavers Fork will also air on WV PBS at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, July 11; 7 p.m. on Monday, July 25; and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 26.
For more information on additional show times or to find the West Virginia Public Broadcasting in your area visit http://wvpublic.org/find-wvpb-television.