Skip to content
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Showcasing the best of West Virginia

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe / Renew
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Stories
  • Photo Submissions

Ecology

  • Home
  • Stories
  • Ecology
By wonderfulwv 10/01/202410/18/2024 Ecology/October 2024/Wildlife

The Heavenly Hellbender

West Virginia’s giant salamander is a distinctive river-dweller and a unique and important member of the aquatic ecosystem.

By wonderfulwv 07/09/202407/09/2024 Ecology/July 2024/Preservation

Stiltgrass Struggles

Many West Virginians find themselves fighting a wiry invader in their yards—but what exactly is it, and how do you get rid of it for good?

By wonderfulwv 06/12/2024 Ecology/June 2024/Outdoors/Preservation

Diverse and Dedicated

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity Unit works diligently to converse and protect our lesser-known and more vulnerable species.

By wonderfulwv 12/11/202312/11/2023 December 2023/Ecology

Appalachia’s Great “Untapped” Resource

Long overlooked, the sycamore tree is getting new respect.

By wonderfulwv 11/22/202311/22/2023 Ecology/Hunting

The Heart of a Hunter

West Virginia hunter Chris Ellis finds inspiration in fellow hunter Randy Benear.

By wonderfulwv 10/03/2023 Ecology/Preservation/WVDNR

Poisonous Pastures

How one invasive species arrived and spread like wildfire—and what you can do about it.

By wonderfulwv 05/02/202305/27/2025 Ecology/Outdoors/Wildlife/WVDNR

Where the Butterflies Are

Butterflies, West Virginia has your number—and it looks like it’s about 142, give or take.

By wonderfulwv 03/01/202303/01/2023 Ecology/WVDNR

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

Three outdoorswomen find satisfaction in forestry in West Virginia

By wonderfulwv 01/30/202303/03/2023 Ecology/Education/Preservation/WVDNR

The Plant Morgue

A unique repository on West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus serves as a comprehensive preserved record of the region’s botanical history.  

By wonderfulwv 05/05/2022 Ecology/Outdoors

The Value of Bees

When it comes to helping the environment, native pollinators do the heavy lifting.

Load More Posts
LINKS
  • Subscribe or Renew Online
  • Change of Address
  • Magazine Retailers
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Wonderful West Virginia Magazine Archives
  • Wonderful West Virginia Archive Story/Author Search

INSTAGRAM

wonderfulwestvirginia

Breathtaking photographs and intriguing articles about West Virginia’s wild and wonderful outdoors.

🐦 : Common Grackle 📸 : Lynn Stewart #Wonde 🐦 : Common Grackle 
📸 : Lynn Stewart

#Wondergrams #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
What kind of photos do turtles take? Shellfies. 🐢

📸 : Cynthia Mullins

#Wondergrams #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
🎣 Cast a line—no license needed! West Virgini 🎣 Cast a line—no license needed! West Virginia’s Free Fishing Days are back this weekend on June 7–8, 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or trying it for the first time, it’s the perfect weekend to enjoy our public waters, reel in some memories, and connect with nature.

Tag your fishing buddy and plan your next outdoor adventure!

📸 : WV Department of Commerce 

#FreeFishingDays #WonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WestVirginiaOutdoors #WVFishing #GetOutsideWV #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
📸 Have a great shot of West Virginia wildlife? 📸 Have a great shot of West Virginia wildlife? We want to see it! Submit your best photo for a chance to be featured in the Wonderful West Virginia September photography issue. If selected, you’ll get a free copy and a one-year subscription!

🦉 Deadline: June 23, 2025
📷 One entry per person
🌿 Wildlife only — high-res, full-color JPGs

Link to enter ➡️ wonderfulwv.com

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
🌲 From forest trails to whitewater rapids — W 🌲 From forest trails to whitewater rapids — West Virginia is made for adventure. In this month’s Director’s Letter, Brett McMillion reflects on what makes our state so special — from the legacy of the American chestnut to the 97th Wildlife Management Area and the excitement of whitewater rafting.

📖 Read the full letter ➡️ wonderfulwv.com

#WonderfulWV #WestVirginiaDay #WVDNR #AlmostHeaven #WildAndWonderful #WVMagazine #WestVirginiaOutdoors
The June 2025 is here — and it’s picture perfe The June 2025 is here — and it’s picture perfect. 🌄 This month’s cover captures a golden hour glow over a winding river deep in the West Virginia hills. Inside, you’ll find summer stories, scenic escapes, and the quiet beauty that makes this place feel like home.

#CoverReveal #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
📍 : Harper's Ferry, West Virginia 📸 : Julie 📍 : Harper's Ferry, West Virginia 
📸 : Julie Ratliffe

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
🌲 BIG NEWS for West Virginia adventurers: For t 🌲 BIG NEWS for West Virginia adventurers: For the first time in over 30 years, our state park system is growing — and Summersville Lake just got even better. From world-class climbing routes to scenic trails and a brand-new “Almost Heaven” swing, the state’s 36th park is here… and it’s just getting started. 🧗‍♂️🌄

📍See what makes Summersville Lake State Park a game-changer ➡️ wonderfulwv.com

@visitsummersvillewv

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
🌿 From a dream between two rivers to one of Wes 🌿 From a dream between two rivers to one of West Virginia’s most inspiring wildlife education centers — discover the story behind the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center at the Forks of Coal. 🐾✨ You’ll want to see how one couple’s passion for nature shaped a legacy.

Read the full story ➡️ wonderfulwv.com

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
"Take the back roads instead of the highways." - M "Take the back roads instead of the highways." - Minnie Pearl

📸 : Denise Powers Fabian 

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
May’s Gallery captures the quiet magic of the Mo May’s Gallery captures the quiet magic of the Mountain State through the lens of Eric Brumbaugh. From golden light  to still moments deep in the woods—these images remind us why West Virginia will always take your breath away. 🌄

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
Spotted: a purple gem among the green. 🌷 : Pu Spotted: a purple gem among the green. 

🌷 : Purple Trillium
📸 : Troy Morgan

#wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia
Follow on Instagram

FACEBOOK

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

4 hours 22 minutes ago

📸 Got a great shot of West Virginia wildlife? We want to see it! Submit your best photo for a chance to be featured in

15
4
View on Facebook
Share
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

1 day 11 hours ago

🐦 : Common Grackle 📸 : Lynn Stewart #Wondergrams #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia #WVDNR #AlmostHeavenWV #WestVirginia

30
3
View on Facebook
Share
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

2 days 11 hours ago

What kind of photos do turtles take? Shellfies. 🐢 📸 : Cynthia Mullins #Wondergrams #wonderful #nature #outdoor #WonderfulMagazine #wildlife #WildWonderful #WildWonderfulWV #AlmostHeaven #WV #WonderfulWV #WonderfulWestVirginia

16
3
View on Facebook
Share
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

6 days 11 hours ago

🎣 Cast a line—no license needed! West Virginia’s Free Fishing Days are back this weekend on June 7–8, 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or

50
2
View on Facebook
Share

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

1 week 4 hours ago

📸 Have a great shot of West Virginia wildlife? We want to see it! Submit your best photo for a chance to be featured in

Wonderful West Virginia’s Seventh Annual Photography Issue Submission Form – Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

23
2
View on Facebook
Share

You may also like

By wonderfulwv 06/04/202506/04/2025 Director's Letter/Hunting/State Parks

June Director’s Letter

June Director’s Letter

Photo Gallery

Wonderful West Virginia’s Seventh Annual Photography Issue Submission Form

Education/May 2025/Wildlife

A Dream Fulfilled

Adventure/May 2025/State Parks

Meet West Virginia’s Newest State Park

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

PRIVACY POLICY
PUBLISHED BY NEW SOUTH MEDIA

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Showcasing the best of West Virginia

June Director’s Letter

Wonderful West Virginia’s Seventh Annual Photography Issue Submission Form

A Dream Fulfilled

Meet West Virginia’s Newest State Park

Under Pressure

All Dogs Go to Almost Heaven

May Director’s Letter

A Trail for All

Cleantalk Pixel