APPALACHIAN FOREST HERITAGE AREA INC

AFNHA AmeriCorps deployed 33 National Service members throughout the state West Virginia to support organizations serving within the themes of Conservation, and Heritage for Community Development. Members provided over 48,000 hours of service to 24 sites. Conservation service specifically included activities such as watershed restoration, environmental education, non-native species management, field data collection, tree planting, trail building and maintenance, environmental recreation support, archaelogical support, among others. Heritage members supported museums, cultural centers for music and the arts, and Community Development members supported organizations such as welcome centers, municipalities, boards, and foundations. All service members provided support for volunteer management activities for their sites and added greatly to the volunteer capacity and output of their specific organizations. AC members managed over 240 unique volunteers for their sponsoring sites in 2023, increasing capacity for their site. Members provided direct service resulting in the improvement of public lands.

AFHA Discovery Visitor Center hosted interpretive displays showcasing the Appalachian Fotrest Heritage Area's diverse natural and cultural assets. In 2023 we explored the theme of Material Culture. The exhibit spoke to the influence of the forests played on folk art and music and the materials utilized in the those expressions. In 2023 over 2100 visitors were hosted at the Discovery Center, and over 3000 visitors were hosted at the tenant partner museum located in the Darden Mill known as the WV Railroad Museum.