ELKINS — West Virginia Rivers will host a “Conversation on Headwaters” at Elkins Town Square to discuss the importance of the Mon Forest headwaters as well as the organization’s efforts to protect water quality and public lands.

The event, which is a follow-up to the “Conversation on Headwaters” virtual event held this spring, is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Elkins Train Depot.

Officials with West Virginia Rivers will be on hand to provide information and answer any questions attendees may have about what the organization is doing to help protect the environment.

The group will make welcoming remarks at 6 p.m. followed by a question and answer session at 6:15 p.m.

The event will feature live music and light refreshments from 6:30-7:30 p.m., alongside discussions on how the Mon Forest headwaters are the source of clean drinking water in the Chesapeake and Ohio watersheds.

The Mon Forest headwaters also provide habitat and support outdoor recreation in the state. Since 1995, the Forest Service has managed 12 waterways as free-flowing. 

“We have been studying people’s attitudes regarding headwaters of the Mon Forest for several years through a series of listening sessions and community meetings in Mon Forest towns,” said Mike Jones, WV Rivers Public Lands Campaign Coordinator. “We are continuing that process to bring information to the people of Elkins about possible safeguards for the Mon Forest headwaters.”

In 2020-2021, West Virginia Rivers conducted a session with recreation users in the Mon Forest and learned that they were concerned about promoting no-motorized recreation, trails, unique spots, funding, invasive species, access and mapping, river gauges, and a state bridge bill. 

West Virginia Rivers is the only statewide organization focused on promoting the overall health of the state’s waters and their downstream benefits. It was founded 32 years ago by paddlers and whitewater enthusiasts interested in restoring and maintaining the state’s free-flowing waters and scenic beauty.

“The Mon Forest headwaters are essential; they are the cleanest, purest rivers and waters in West Virginia,” Jones said. “Our calculation is that approximately 9% of the United States depends on Mon Forest headwaters for their drinking water. It’s also essential for outdoor recreation and supporting the local economy of the Mon Forest Towns.”

The organization is committed to preserving and improving water quality in the Mountain State.

“We believe that public lands are lands that have been set aside because they are unique,” Jones said. “They deserve to have thoughtful safeguards and permanent conservation to assure that the lands are available now and in the future.”

West Virginia Rivers is a non-profit organization and a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information, call 304-637-7201 or visit wvrivers.org.