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Barnette Conservation Preserve

Environmental improvements are often best found in the preservation of existing wilderness areas.  The family of Curtis Hank Barnette felt strongly about preserving the environment and put those feelings into action when they gave the Coal River Group the family’s original homestead.

The 30-acre tract of land is located along Strawberry Road near St. Albans, WV.  The site originally included over 1,700 ft of river frontage.  Through a cooperative agreement among all the parties the river frontage was donated to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.  The beautiful strip of land offers fishermen, boaters and visitors a view of the historic 1855 lock and dam site, the equally historic log booms and a WV DNR public access boat launch are all located along the river front.

BARNETTE FAMILY FARM (1921)

BARNETTE CONSERVATION PRESERVE 2009 (PICTURE BY STEVE DOTY)

The development of the Conservation Preserve at the site protects the historic site and the best overlook of the Lower Falls of Coal River forever.
 
The Coal River Group has constructed a small parking lot and developed over a mile of walking trails on the land. Wetland trails, mountain top views and 300 year old oak trees make this small but important wilderness preserve a special place to visit and appreciate for generations to come.

Brett Preston WVDNR, Bill Currey CRG, Dick Callaway St. Albans Mayor and Hank Barnette

 THE BARNETTE FAMILY

 

The beauty of the Barnette Conservation preserve did not just happen.

When the CRG accepted the 30 acre parcel of land there was much to be done to turn it into a community nature center. Volunteers from the area were called upon to help restore the property and mold the features into a safe place to visit and enjoy nature.

Clean it up ! Like any land that has been dorment for many years the property had much litter that needed to be removed. In fact there was a 100 year old family waste site that we found had over 50 tons of  waste material. the volunteers along with the City of St. Albans, The WV REAP program the WV Make it Shine program the WV DNR joined together with employees from from Massey Energy to help remove the waste and restore the land to its original grandeur. These hard working volunteers have created a wonderful green space for future generations to enjoy.

 

VOLUNTEERS WORKED HARD TO BUILD TWO TRAILS AT THE SITE..SPECIAL THANKS TO TIM LIGON AND LOUIS LUDWIG

 

 VOLUNTEERS-LISA CHASE AND KELLEN CURREY

 KRIS RADFORD

THE PRESERVE NOW HAS TWO EXCELLENT TRAILS FOR VISITORS. THE LOWER TRAIL WANDERS THROUGH THE WET LAND AND CROSSES A SMALL STREAM. THE UPPER TRAIL CLIMBS TO THE TOP OF THE 958 FT. PEAK THROUGH A SERIES OF GENTLE UPGRADES. BOTH TRAILS WERE DESIGNED BY KEN DUZAK TRAIL DESIGNER.

THE VIEWS WITHIN THE PRESERVE ARE VERY SPECIAL. COME VISIT THE TRAIL AND ENJOY THE WILDERNESS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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