Join The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in West Virginia’s Executive Director Thomas Minney; Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) Executive Director Kristin Alexander; and TNC WV Director of Land Management and Stewardship Mike Powell for a hike at noon, March 7 at the Yankauer Nature Preserve, just outside Shepherdstown, WV. This preserve is co-managed by PVAS and TNC. Come learn about the positive partnership and collaboration of these two organizations to preserve the natural elements of land while exploring this lovely preserve. The one-mile hike will include cedar glades, deciduous forests, and a wonderful view of the Potomac River. A composting toilet is available at the trailhead. The trails are rocky with two steep sections.There is an alternative .4 mile accessible trail to explore.
This hike is in partnership with TNC, PVAS, and ACFF.
Please register for your free ticket in advance. Registrations will be capped at 40 participants.
- Thursday, March 7, 2024 12pm
- Yankauer Nature Preserve
438 Whitings Neck Rd.
Martinsburg, WV 25404
Kristin Alexander has served as the Executive Director of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society since January 2007 after spending six years as the Director of the Yankauer Nature Preserve. Kristin graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education. She subsequently worked as an instructor and curriculum developer at several nature-related educational institutions in various states, including the Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton MD, National Wildlife Federation camps in Colorado and North Carolina, the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, in Aspen CO, and the Under Water World Aquarium in Bloomington MN. She later completed a Master’s Degree in Experiential Learning from Minnesota State University and currently resides in WV’s Eastern Panhandle.
Thomas Minney serves as the State Director of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia. He is responsible for working with the West Virginia Business Unit to set and deliver on conservation that benefits nature and the people of West Virginia. Thomas and his team work with various Nature Conservancy business units and partners across the region to set landscape-scale programming and build cross-boundary approaches to ensure effective conservation in the face of large-scale threats like climate change and opportunities such as forest carbon and renewable energy.
Mike Powell is the Director of Land Management and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia where he is responsible for the management of all nature preserves and conservation easements in the state. In addition, Mike supervises two restoration field crews that have some focus on non-native invasive species management. He is also active in the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative and sits on the board of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Friends group. Mike has a BA in Park and Recreation Management and a MA in Natural Resource Management from WVU.
