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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.

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wonderfulwestvirginia

Exploring the beauty, adventure & outdoor heritage of West Virginia.
📸 Photography | 📖 Stories

Lisa Ring captured this gorgeous Red-Spotted Purpl Lisa Ring captured this gorgeous Red-Spotted Purple butterfly in Jefferson County, reminding us that West Virginia's wildlife is full of colorful surprises!!

Have a favorite photo you've captured in the Mountain State? We'd love to see it! Submit your best West Virginia photography by clicking the link in our bio!

📸 Photo by Lisa Ring, Jefferson County, WV.
Spring's beauty meets one of West Virginia's most Spring's beauty meets one of West Virginia's most colorful backyard visitors. 🌸🐦

Steve Elswick captured this stunning red-bellied woodpecker perched among blooming dogwood flowers in Mount Nebo—a reminder that some of the Mountain State's best moments happen when we slow down and look a little closer.

📸 Photo by Steve Elswick, Mount Nebo, WV
Misty mornings. Mountain views. Moments worth shar Misty mornings. Mountain views. Moments worth sharing. 🌿📸

This stunning image was captured by Grant Bennett at Sandstone Falls, is exactly the kind of photography we love to showcase!!

Think you have a photo that captures the beauty of West Virginia? We'd love to see it! Submit your photos by clicking the link in our bio!

📷 Photo: Misty Morning at Sandstone by Grant Bennett
"Below the Sun" by Cheyenne Wolfe of Kingwood, Wes "Below the Sun" by Cheyenne Wolfe of Kingwood, West Virginia.🍄

Images like this remind us just how much beauty can be found in the Mountain State. Whether it's a breathtaking landscape, incredible wildlife, or a quiet moment outdoors, we want to see West Virginia through your lens.

📸 Click the link in our bio to submit your photos!
For generations, the bald eagle has symbolized the For generations, the bald eagle has symbolized the spirit of America—and thanks to decades of conservation efforts, it's soaring over West Virginia once again. 🦅

From just a handful of nesting pairs to nearly 200 documented nests across the Mountain State, the bald eagle's remarkable recovery is one of our nation's greatest wildlife success stories. Learn where to spot these iconic birds and discover the people working to protect them for generations to come.

✨ Click the link in our bio to read more!

📸 Featured photo by Austin Statts.
A perfect summer day in the Mountain State starts A perfect summer day in the Mountain State starts right here. ☀️💙

Twelve-year-old Owen Watson enjoying the cool waters of the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in the Monongahela National Forest is everything we love about a West Virginia summer—simple moments, unforgettable memories, and the great outdoors.

What's your favorite place to cool off in the Mountain State?

📸 Photo by Shanda Watson — Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, Pocahontas County, WV (featuring Owen Watson).
Stars, stripes, small towns, and Mountain State pr Stars, stripes, small towns, and Mountain State pride. 🇺🇸❤️💙

From patriotic parades and Revolutionary War reenactments to vibrant America250 murals, festivals, and community celebrations, West Virginia is honoring 250 years of American independence in unforgettable ways.

✨ Click the link in our bio to read more and discover events, public art, and celebrations happening across the Mountain State this summer!

📸 Photos courtesy of @WheelingHeritage.
Celebrate America's 250th anniversary surrounded b Celebrate America's 250th anniversary surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mountain State. 🇺🇸⛰️

From fireworks over the water and live music to scenic overlooks, swimming beaches, and special America250 keepsakes, West Virginia's state parks are the perfect place to spend Independence Day weekend.

✨ Click the link in our bio to read more and start planning your July 4 adventure!

📸 Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
A little burst of Appalachian color ❤️🌿 “Indian P A little burst of Appalachian color ❤️🌿

“Indian Paintbrush”
📸 Trav Jennings
📍 Thornton, WV
Last chance to submit your wildlife photography fo Last chance to submit your wildlife photography for Wonderful West Virginia’s 8th Annual Wildlife Photography Issue! 📸🦅

If you’ve captured a memorable moment featuring native West Virginia wildlife, we want to see it.

📅 Submissions close TONIGHT
📸 One submission per person
🦌 Native WV wildlife only

Click the link in our bio to submit before the deadline!
Sunset over the mighty Ohio River 🌅🌊 📸 Leigh Rote Sunset over the mighty Ohio River 🌅🌊

📸 Leigh Roten
📍 Point Pleasant, WV
Time is running out to enter Wonderful West Virgin Time is running out to enter Wonderful West Virginia’s Wildlife Photography Issue contest! 📸

If you’ve captured an unforgettable wildlife moment in West Virginia, now’s the time to submit it for a chance to be featured in print.

🦌 Native wildlife only
📸 High-resolution JPG submissions
🚫 No trail camera images
📅 Deadline: June 21, 2026

Submit now through the link in our bio before entries close!
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Lisa Ring captured this gorgeous Red-Spotted Purple butterfly in Jefferson County, reminding us that West Virginia's wildlife is full of colorful surprises!! Have a favorite

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Spring's beauty meets one of West Virginia's most colorful backyard visitors. 🌸🐦 Steve Elswick captured this stunning red-bellied woodpecker perched among blooming dogwood flowers in

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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Misty mornings. Mountain views. Moments worth sharing. 🌿📸 This stunning image was captured by Grant Bennett at Sandstone Falls, is exactly the kind of photography

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"Below the Sun" by Cheyenne Wolfe of Kingwood, West Virginia.🍄 Images like this remind us just how much beauty can be found in the Mountain

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By wonderfulwv 06/26/202606/26/2026 Conservation/June / July 2026/Wildlife

Our Unmistakable American Emblem

The recovery and restoration of the bald eagle in West Virginia. This story was originally published in the June / July 2026 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.Subscribe here. Written by Katie FallonFeatured Image Photographed by Gary Wendell Despite Benjamin Franklin’s insistence that it was a bird “of bad moral character,” in

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Showcasing the best of West Virginia

Our Unmistakable American Emblem

Star-Spangled Celebrations

Independence Day, West Virginia State Park–Style

On the Edge

Wonderful West Virginia’s Eighth Annual Wildlife Photography Issue Submission Form

Mother’s Day: The Vision and Regrets of Its Founder

Science for Citizens

A Taste of Tradition

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