A multi-agency agreement is tackling invasive plant species at West Virginia state parks.
This story was originally published in the August / September 2026 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.
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Photographed by Carla Witt Ford
For several years now, State Parks staff across West Virginia have been working to address non-native invasive plant species—like autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, and Japanese stiltgrass—that have been slowly encroaching on and pushing out our native species. In October 2023, a public/private partnership was formed to combat these pesky plants while also reestablishing native pollinating plants, bringing together the unique expertise and resources of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the West Virginia Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, and EQT.
North Bend State Park is a location of note, working to eradicate large plots of Japanese stiltgrass through solarization treatments—a non-chemical method of removal that essentially “burns” the roots and seeds of the plants, preventing their regrowth using the power of the sun. Meanwhile, Bluestone State Park is in the midst of removal projects for autumn olive and tree of heaven, and Valley Falls State Park is fighting back against Japanese barberry bushes.
This work is a part of EQT’s carbon sequestration project, “a proven process that captures, transports, and securely stores CO2.” Brush management and afforestation are the main areas of emphasis for the state parks right now, removing invasive species that are suffocating the native plants and inhibiting the growth of local forests while also planting new, hardy trees in areas that had none previously. These are part of a biologic approach, encouraging the storage of CO2 in plants, soils, and even aquatic areas to reduce and limit the amount of the gas in the atmosphere.
So the next time you’re hiking through a West Virginia state park and notice newly planted trees or what looks like disturbed soil from plant removal, know it’s likely the work of a team dedicated to the health of our parks and planet.