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A grant from the Fish and Wildlife Foundation and
EPA was received in June, 1999 to protect and monitor change in
50 acres of unique, privately-owned wetland habitat in the highlands
of West Virginia. The award-winning project was based on a partnership
between the Dalen family, Franklin, WV; TMI’s Research and Education
Program; the West Virginia chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC);
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/WV; WV Highlands Conservancy; and
dozens of volunteers. Major project components included infrastructure
installation (7,000' of cattle fencing, water trough, Balsam fir
seedling re-establishment, deer fencing); baseline study establishment
(rare species populations, plant communities, environmental conditions,
existing threats and stresses); long-term biological monitoring
(trends and management responses of rare species populations, plant
communities, environmental conditions, and existing threats and
stresses); and development of a long-term conservation program in
support of the above activities. In 2002-2003, funds from the National
Forest Foundation and NiSource Environmental Challenge Grants protected
an additional 10 acres of the unique high altitude wetlands.
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| The Dalen Farm, viewed from across
Blister Swamp |
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| A solar pump and trough, donated
by The Nature Conservancy/West Virginia Chapter, pipes water
from the protected area to the Dalen's cattle on the outside |
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The Dalen family, June 2000, receiving
the 5-Star Restoration Program Award from the Environmental Protection
Agency.
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Jacobs Ladder (Polemonium van-bruntiae),
a rare wildflower that now flourishes in the Blister Swamp. |
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John Schmidt and assistant, Fish
and Wildlife Service/Elkins, West Virginia, installing the fenceposts
surrounding the 50-acre protected area.
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Rodney Bartgis, The Nature Conservancy/Elkins,
West Virginia, running baseline data transects. |
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John Schmidt, Fish and Wildlife
Service/Elkins, West Virginia, with bird nest. The swamp is an important
bird breeding site that is now fully protected.
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John Dalen (landowner) with
guests (note TV crew in background) |
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Balsam fir seeds being collected
in 1998
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John Dalen installs a solar charger
and electric fence designed to keep the large deer populations,
which feed on the re-planted balsam fir seedlings, out of the enclosure.
Two years later the protected area remains free of deer depredation
on either the seedlings or rare plants |
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