Growing Smart on High Knob

09/23/2025

You've probably heard a lot of talk in the news recently claiming that Southwest Virginia's old minelands are good for redevelopment into data centers, nuclear plants, or solar farms...and that they don't have much other value for people or wildlife. But is that really true?

Not exactly. Researchers at The University of Virginia's College at Wise have recently shed light on populations of amphibians, like the beautiful Spotted Salamander seen here, that have colonized small pools and other wetlands on mines all across SWVA on their own. Critters like these are important to the health of the broader ecosystem - including for supporting game species - and provide Appalachian communities with important services like free pest control. But they can get wiped out quickly when economic development projects aren't planned carefully and with conservation goals in mind.

Reusing SWVA's former minelands in ways that benefit both people and nature takes a little more work than simple political talking points might suggest. We've developed some new recommendations based on the aforementioned research that can help local officials, land managers, and others become better stewards of native wildlife when thinking about how to develop former minelands for uses of all types. You can download a free copy for yourself at http://bit.ly/GrowingSmartWetlands

07/30/2025

Did you know that the High K**b Region’s cliffs and rock outcrops are some of Southwest Virginia’s most important habitats for native wildlife? Mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians all call these habitats home, but unsustainable forest management practices can put these rare critters at risk.

Virginia Tech’s Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program recently featured research by The University of Virginia's College at Wise faculty and students in this video, which discusses how private landowners can better manage rock outcrops on their property to benefit wildlife. Check out the video for more info!

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension's Bill Worrell and Wally Smith from the University of Virginia at Wise to learn about wildlife habitat management around ...

07/26/2025

We’re concerned by recent news that county, state, and UVA-Wise officials are moving forward with plans to site speculative nuclear reactor technologies in Wise County (see:https://www.energy.virginia.gov/public/documents/newsroom/2025/Virginia%20Move_Press_.pdf ). Early, inclusive, and transparent dialogue with community members is a hallmark of smart energy projects, yet it is clear that Wise County residents remain excluded from a project that would have major economic, environmental, and social justice implications for their communities, even as planning continues behind closed doors.

Public engagement is especially important in the coalfields, where communities have unique needs that aren’t captured by traditional economic development approaches. Our peer-reviewed guide to smart energy development in the High K**b Region, released in 2024, outlines why public involvement is needed in new energy initiatives in the coalfields and outlines a blueprint for how officials can better involve local voices.

The infographic with this post provides detailed info, and you can learn more about what the research says on how to engage underserved populations in our energy planning blueprint at http://bit.ly/HighK**bEnergy Our peer-reviewed guide to the reuse of former minelands also provides additional evidence-based recommendations and can be viewed at http://bit.ly/GrowingSmartSurfaceMine

07/09/2025

Summer is 🐍 season in Southwest Virginia. Worried about what to do if you run across a snake when you’re on the trail or otherwise in the woods? Don’t be. Managing snake encounters on a hike, bike, or trail run is as easy as keeping some space, having some respect, and leaving the animal alone.

Thanks to this beautiful Timber Rattlesnake recently encountered on nearby Pine Mountain, as well as students from The University of Virginia's College at Wise, for modeling a safe and respectful snake encounter in these photos. Scroll through to learn more and access additional educational resources about these important members of our forests.

06/21/2025

Does it seem like it's raining harder than it used to when it storms in the High K**b Region? If you've ever asked yourself that question, it turns out you're right. Students in this year's Biostatistics class at The University of Virginia's College at Wise examined 40 years of campus weather records to investigate if rainfall trends associated with increasing flooding elsewhere in Appalachia also hold in Wise County. Here's a quick look at their findings from a report released this week:

⛈️While Wise hasn't seen a significant increase in its annual precipitation since the early 1980s, extreme rainfall events have increased dramatically. The wettest day of the year is now seeing nearly 30% more rain fall than it did 40 years ago!

💧More rain falling over a shorter amount of time often means a higher flood risk. The researchers found that several recent floods documented by the Town of Wise occurred on days with extreme rainfall events. Those types of events have become more common in town over the last two decades.

☀️"Flash droughts," or brief but intense periods with no rainfall whatsoever, have also increased in Wise. Such events often precede abnormally intense storms, which can worsen impacts from flash flooding.

Why care? A better understanding of how climatic conditions are changing in and around the High K**b Region can help communities more proactively plan for future storms and better prepare for flooding. If you're interested in learning more about the study and its recommendations for local officials, you can check out the students’ full report at https://uvawise.box.com/s/qp0hsjivc5emdnacv6zkb74riu222meo

05/23/2025

05/21/2025

Check out this neat encounter of two American Toads found in a small temporary pool in the City of Norton this week. The toads are taking part in a behavior called "amplexus," which is part of frog courtship where the male grasps the female under her front limbs, which positions him in a way that helps with fertilizing the female's eggs.

The momma toad in this picture (on the bottom) is also in the process of releasing eggs, which in toads look like a long "necklace" laid in a single strand. Each of the black spheres visible in this image represents a toad embryo - meaning there are several hundred potential baby toads in this image!

Many of Southwest Virginia's amphibians use our mountains' small, shallow pools as breeding sites each spring and summer. And this includes the many artificial "mudholes" found in abandoned haul roads and on former surface mines, even if they might not look like much to the naked eye.

This means that poor trail design practices and irresponsible trail use can inadvertently kill hundreds or even thousands of native critters that call these habitats home. In fact, a study by UVA-Wise researchers just last year found that the conversion of mineland "mudholes" into ATV play areas on the Spearhead Trails system near Dante led to the deaths of an estimated 1200 amphibian babies in just a single week, including for some rare species of high conservation concern.

Thankfully, outdoor enthusiasts and pool-breeding wildlife can coexist with some simple stewardship practices and a little TLC during trail planning. Here are a few steps trail users and trail managers can follow to enjoy the outdoors alongside wildlife:

🐸Identify small wetlands and isolated ephemeral pools early during the planning phase of trail projects, and route trails around - not through - wet areas

🐸Avoid driving motorized vehicles, bikes, or other wheeled vehicles into wet areas or standing water, since this can crush amphibians and their young

🐸Close wetlands and ephemeral pools experiencing negative impacts to trail use, and consider consulting with wildlife professionals about potential restoration efforts to help degraded habitats recover

02/23/2025

Vernal pool season is arriving in the High K**b Region! During warm and wet weather from late winter through the spring months, wildlife species migrate to the mountains’ small, shallow wetlands to breed. This phenomenon, which is one of the first indications that spring is on the way, gradually moves northward each year as wildlife species detect the changing seasons.

Check out this GIF of observations of the Wood Frog - one of our local vernal pool specialists - moving north as the season progressed last year. The dots show community science observations as inventoried in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, which hosts a public repository of wildlife records. The Wood Frog is a local critter with an astounding geographic range, being found as far north as above the Arctic Circle!

Vernal pools aren’t just a fascinating spring phenomenon. They’re also one of Appalachia’s most at-risk habitats, since they can be disrupted by unsustainable trail routing and use, as well as other forms of human development. To learn more about vernal pools, their incredible inhabitants, and how you can help protect them, check out the National Zoo’s webpage at https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation/news/hidden-life-vernal-pools

02/16/2025

Streams throughout the High K**b Region will remain high this week following severe flooding that impacted the area yesterday. A few things to consider before you plan a trip into the backcountry over the coming week:

🌊Know Before You Go: Evaluate any routes you’re planning to travel for stream crossings before hitting the woods. Official maps and guidebooks can be especially helpful, or consider visiting the High K**b Destination Center in Norton (open 10am-2pm Thursday thru Saturday) for info on local trail conditions. Unbridged stream crossings may be impassible for several days, and even some bridged crossings may be unsafe until waters recede.

💦Tread Lightly: Even after water levels recede, be mindful that trail conditions may be less than ideal, with many routes susceptible to damage from improper use. Avoid trails or roads that have obvious flood damage, especially for users on the region’s off-road trails since heavy vehicles can exacerbate erosion issues.

⛔️Don’t Be Afraid to Call it a Day: If you encounter unsafe trail conditions, be willing to turn around and head home. The trail will always be there another day.

(Pictured: The Guest River Gorge in the Jefferson National Forest near Coeburn)

02/05/2025

As we come out of winter's deep freeze this week, wildlife species are beginning to flock to the High K**b Region's woodland pools and other wetlands. But did you know that many of these habitats are at-risk from unsustainable outdoor recreation and development practices?

Thankfully, it's possible for economic development efforts to coexist with our mountains' incredible wildlife if we're willing to follow a few basic, common-sense steps. Check out these infographics for tips and websites where you can learn more!

01/26/2025

Did you know that much of the High K**b Region’s drinking water - including water sources for the City of Norton, Big Stone Gap, and Appalachia - comes from streams that have their sources on and flow through protected areas on the Jefferson National Forest?

This short article by American Rivers discusses how America’s public lands help keep our drinking water clean and your local tax bills down.

Public lands are the birthright of every American. One of the great privileges of living in this country is the ability to access hundreds of millions of acres to enjoy the great outdoors — all for free. People care about and use public lands for many reasons. From hunters and anglers to miners an...

01/21/2025

Upcoming events at the new High K**b Destination Center this weekend. If you haven't seen the center yet, these are great opportunities.