Guardians Board and members Randy Kesling, Robert Helfer, Sally Egan, Lisa deGruyter, and Al Cox, in new volunteer recognition hats and caps, hold our new Water Trail signs, all funded by a previous Stream Partners Grant. The Guardians have been awarded a 2026 Stream Partners Program Grant, which will continue to support our work inContinue reading “Stream Partners Grant Fuels River Conservation Efforts”
Author Archives: Guardians of the West Fork
Vernal Pools
Our Watershed is not just the West Fork River and the creeks that run into it. It is all the land and water in our West Fork Valley, and everything and everyone that is supported or affected by it. Save Our Streams has a yearly program for volunteers to check out the seasonal pools thatContinue reading “Vernal Pools”
Abandoned Mine Lands Cuts
This time last year, the Guardians had expected to get funding under three grants we had applied for in May 2023 to match funding from the Clean Water Act which West Virginia Water Research Institute at WVU had received to expand and improve our Lambert Run project. The project, over the 25 years we haveContinue reading “Abandoned Mine Lands Cuts”
Regular Meeting Wednesday 21 Jan 2026
The Guardians Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at the Clarksburg Water Board and online. Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ypn-rhoi-oxr Please note we are back to our regular meeting day, Wednesday. We will be discussing how we move forward on our projects to improve and maintain our long-term abandoned mine landContinue reading “Regular Meeting Wednesday 21 Jan 2026”
Watershed Day Recap 2025!!!
This past Saturday, October 11th, we celebrated Watershed Day at Watters Smith Memorial Park — and it couldn’t have been a better day! Beautiful weather, great people, and tons of fun A huge thank-you to our amazing partners who brought their enthusiasm and spirit:💧 Martin Christ (DEP)🌿 Michelle Fonda (DNR)🌎 JoAnn R. Snoderly (DEP YouthContinue reading “Watershed Day Recap 2025!!!”
Project Wet Festival
Guardians of the West Fork had the opportunity to help out with Mill Creek Water Festival held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Jackson County Youth Fairgrounds! The event, organized with Project WET, brought together students and educators to explore the importance of water through fun, hands-on learning activities. Our VISTA, Hannah Blakely, whoContinue reading “Project Wet Festival”
October 2025 Meeting Cancelled
The October Guardians meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, October 14 has been cancelled. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 18, 6 p.m. at the Clarksburg Water Board. Please join us at the West Fork Watershed Day this Saturday, October 11, at Watters Smith State Park!
It’s Source Water Protection Week!
West Virginia Rivers September 2025 Did you know the best way to ensure you can trust what comes out of your tap is to protect the sources of drinking water — our rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater? That’s the focus of Source Water Protection Week, a national effort to raise awareness about keeping drinkingContinue reading “It’s Source Water Protection Week!”
Explore the September 2025 WV Trails Newsletter: Watershed Day & Fairmont Trail Meeting Highlights
The September 2025 edition of the WV Trails Newsletter is now available, featuring key updates for trail enthusiasts and environmental advocates across the state. This month’s issue highlights two significant events: the upcoming Watershed Day in Lost Creek and the regional trail meeting in Fairmont. WV Trail Regional Meeting – September 24, 2025 WV TrailContinue reading “Explore the September 2025 WV Trails Newsletter: Watershed Day & Fairmont Trail Meeting Highlights”
Young Scientists Detect High E. coli Levels in West Fork River Through SOS Program
At Guardians of the West Fork, we are thrilled to share a remarkable story of youth engagement and environmental stewardship. Recently, a group of West Virginia 4-H’ers made a surprising discovery in the West Fork River during a STEM activity at WVU Jackson’s Mill. Their water samples revealed E. coli levels at 700, significantly higherContinue reading “Young Scientists Detect High E. coli Levels in West Fork River Through SOS Program”