The 11th Annual Coopers Rock Rocky Habitat Restoration Day will occur at Coopers Rock State Forest this Sunday, October 2nd, from 11-4. The event focuses on managing and minimizing human impact within the Cheat Canyon Rimrock Environment in Coopers Rock State Forest.
“Lots of people are drawn to the rocks on the edge of the canyon at Coopers Rock for various reasons, such as climbing, bouldering, scrambling, and exploring,” says Greg Corio, Director of WVU’s Adventure West Virginia Program. “But their popularity has also placed them in danger of being loved to death.”
“What happens is the soils around these really popular areas amongst the rocks get compacted from so much human activity,” explains Jan Kiger, of Adventure’s Edge and the Coopers Rock Foundation. “Some impact is to be expected, and is acceptable, but we put the brakes on it so the impact zones don’t keep expanding and expanding endlessly.”
Brett Hagerty, Director of WVU’s Outdoor Recreation Center, explains that “what we do is collect downed limbs, branches and logs from other parts of the forest – areas with a lower environmental quality rating – and truck them to trailheads near the most popular rocky areas, such as Upper Rock City. Then we carry all these logs and branches into the rocky areas of the forest, construct impact zone barriers, and we delineate some trails and block off others that aren’t needed. We also block off erosion-prone sites. Simply put, where and how we place materials encourages people to recreate in some places but discourages them from others.”
“What the placement of all these logs and branches accomplishes is the creation of dozens and dozens of set-aside areas, or exclosures of sorts. By using natural materials thoughtfully placed, we allow for natural forest regeneration to occur,” said Corio. “There is still plenty of room for people to go where they want in the rocky areas, and to climb and explore, but our efforts insure that the next generation of forest amongst the rocks will stay healthy and grow.”
Adam Polinski, of the Coopers Rock Foundation, noted that “there are literally thousands of oak seedlings within our managed areas. The success of our efforts is clearly visible throughout the areas where we have worked annually over the past decade or so. We’ve also put the brakes on needless social trails that have sprung up and we’ve prevented erosion and loss of topsoil in the most special habitat within Coopers Rock.”
“This is a great opportunity for students to earn Community Service hours,” said Marcedes Minana, with the Adventure West Virginia Program. “If you are a WVU student who wants some good hard outdoor work that really accomplishes something, this is the event for you.”
“The rimrock environment at Coopers Rock is one of the highest quality natural habitats in northcentral West Virginia,” added Kiger. “From old-growth Northern Red Oaks to Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids, and from Allegheny Woodrats to Bobcats, the rocks have a great diversity of life among them. Anyone who wants to help us out with managing impact to the forest and soils in the most heavily-used of these areas is very appreciated.”
The event runs from 11-4 Sunday the 2nd of October. Meet and register in the large gravel parking lot just before the Concession Stand/Overlook parking lot, by the green Climber’s Kiosk. Volunteers should wear clothes that can get dirty and sturdy shoes; bring work gloves if you have them and a water bottle and snacks. The Coopers Rock Foundation will provide pizza midway through the workday. The event is organized by the WVU Outdoor Recreation Center, Adventure West Virginia, Adventure’s Edge, and the Coopers Rock Foundation.
Questions? Contact trail work coordinator Adam Polinski, at: trailwork@coopersrock.org, or (304) 288-1211.