Davis, W.Va. – Canaan Valley Resort and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will hold a designation announcement at 10am on Wednesday, September 8 to recognize two areas within Canaan Valley Resort State Park. These are the first designated areas into the new West Virginia Natural Areas Program.

The event will be held at the Bearpaw Lodge, located at the Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area, and tours of the newly designated Natural Areas will be provided. The public and media are invited to attend.

Established by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources in February 2021, the West Virginia Natural Areas Program seeks to protect areas under West Virginia Division of Natural Resources administration and ownership that possess significant natural importance in the conservation of the state’s – and in many cases the world’s – rarest plant and animal species.

Canaan Valley Resort State Park was selected to receive the inaugural nomination and designation due to the uniqueness of two specific areas within the state park boundaries – the Canaan Valley Wetlands (2,000 acres) and Bald Knob (210 acres).  Both areas host large concentrations of plants and animals in need of conservation while also boasting distinctive and special features.

The Canaan Valley Wetlands area is home to globally rare conifer swamps as well as 43 rare plants, 12 rare invertebrate species and a variety of unique animals.  Bald Knob boasts a globally rare Red Spruce Forest as well as several invertebrate and amphibian species in need of conservation.

Sites selected into the West Virginia Natural Areas Program may receive resources and assistance to improve area management, mitigate potential impacts, and promote the areas for public awareness and education, as well as scientific study.

For additional information, contact Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121 or visit the website at www.CanaanResort.com.