A Brief History of the AFHA

An initiative of West Virginia University’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences and the WVU Extension Service, the AFHA was originally funded by a USDA "Fund for Rural America" grant. It was coordinated by a project team from West Virginia University (WVU) and Canaan Valley Institute (CVI), with active partnership from state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and communities throughout the area.

Since its October 2001 inception, the AFHA project has convened large-group stakeholder meetings and numerous task group sessions. A broad range of participants with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints are participating to guide the project’s course. The work of building a consistent theme and integrated network goes hand-in-hand with communities committing to local projects. This grassroots approach helps ensure local community successes and balanced direction.

The initial AFHA grant expired in the fall of 2005. In order to carry on these efforts beyond the initial grant, a non-profit organization called Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc. has been created to assume responsibility for the future of the AFHA. The non-profit Governing Council representing communities, interest groups, and involved stakeholders and partners vision and plan the project. Task groups have been active on a number of fronts: identifying assets, interpretation, business development, communications, marketing, and organization. Three pilot communities –Webster County, WV, Randolph County, WV and Garrett County, MD -- are implementing projects in model communities.

This executive summary describes the AFHA project status and future directions as the project transitions from the initial grant-funded project to an independent non-profit organization. It includes elements of the Strategic Plan guiding the organization progress, and the recommendations of the Feasibility Study that recommended National Heritage Area designation for the AFHA.

The Stakeholders participating have agreed on Core Values emphasizing voluntary partnerships from a broad range of interest groups, balanced interpretation, forest sustainability for industry, communities, and ecosystems, working forests and cultural heritage tourism as components of economic development, and that AFHA is not a land management organization. The enthusiasm and participation level in the existing AFHA project indicate the success of this collaborative approach respecting diverse points-of-view. This active grassroots support will be key in the success of the proposed Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area.

Feasibility Study (Done to assess potential for AFHA before-the-fact)

• Executive Summary of AFHA Feasibility Study

• Complete Final Draft of AFHA Feasibility Study

Past Community Grants

Coming soon...