Submitted photo Expert presenters are shown taking part in a previous annual Discovery Summit, presented by the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. This year’s event is set for Sept. 18-19.

ELKINS — The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area is hosting its annual Discovery Summit this September in the mountains of Pocahontas County.

This two-day event will take place from Sept. 18-19 and will bring together historians, conservationists, and community members who are invested in the preservation of Appalachian forest history and cultural and natural resources.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, attendees will gather at Snowshoe Mountain Resort for a day of networking and learning from regional experts working in fields related to the history, ecology, and culture of our region.

Speakers include representatives from AFNHA, the US Forest Service, Greenbrier Historical Society, Fort Warwick, The Nature Conservancy, Cacapon Preservation Solutions, Snowshoe Mountain, and the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative.

On Friday, Sept. 19, guests have the opportunity to experience behind-the-scenes tours of three significant sites in Pocahontas County.

Participants will visit the Greenbank Observatory, home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, located with the National Radio Quiet Zone, the historic site of Fort Warwick, originally established in 1774 by Virginia militia, and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, a heritage railway that operates historic steam powered logging locomotives along an 11 mile track located in the restored mill town of Cass.

The Appalachian Forest Discovery Summit is an annual event that brings together stakeholders who share interest in the unique natural and cultural resources centered on the highland forests of WV and western Maryland that make our region significant.

The goal is to foster collaboration, share best practices, and inspire new ideas for the continued support and growth of our region.

Tickets to the summit include lunch on Thursday at Snowshoe.

Weekday lodging rates at Snowshoe Mountain Resort are available for these dates. Summit attendees can expect an in-depth opportunity to connect with leaders, storytellers, and conservationists preserving the past and shaping the future of the AFNHA region.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit appalachianforestnha.org/conference.

The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area conserves, interprets, and promotes forest heritage to enhance landscapes and communities in the highlands of West Virginia and Maryland. AFNHA works with partners to accomplish this through community development, conservation, celebrating cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for transformational experiences.

AFNHA is a member of the National Heritage Area System. To learn more, see www.appalachianforestnha.org.