UNDER PROTECTION — Dobbins Slashing, located near Canaan Valley and the Monongahela National Forest, is now a preserve that will be maintained by the Nature Conservancy. -- Matt Kane

CANAAN VALLEY — Nestled between a pair of iconic Mountain State areas — the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Monongahela National Forest — lies a vast bog brimming with biodiversity.

Until recently, the Dobbins Slashing area contains one of the largest unprotected wetlands in the state, encompassing more than 800 acres — more than 600 football fields.

The vulnerability has now been addressed, as Dobbins Slashing is now under the care of the Nature Conservancy.

The 1,400-acre site was acquired in November, and the new preserve will be celebrated this week. This property sits at the heart of a biologically rich region, safeguarding one of the largest wetland complexes in Central Appalachia.

“This preservation is a very important piece of land with so much biodiversity,” said Erica Byrd, communications director for the Nature Conservancy in West Virginia.

Located in the High Alleghenies, Dobbins Slashing “is in an area that includes the highest mountains and the coldest, wettest, snowiest places in West Virginia,” the Nature Conservancy website notes, and is home to more than 400 priority plant and animal species for conservation.

Featured flora and fauna in Dobbins Slashing include red spruce, balsam fir, blueberries, cranberries, peat-forming sedges and mosses, ruffed grouse, southern rock vole, the Vesper sparrow, two-spotted skipper and northern spreadwing.

Byrd emphasized that the region is not only ecologically vital, but also pivotal for recreation. The acquisition will ultimately connect nearly 80 miles of public trails, providing new possibilities for hikers, especially those who crave a multi-day adventure.

Although Dobbins Slashings is technically open to the public now, it is not yet easily accessible.

“You have to hike into the property. There is no direct parking to the trailhead access,” Byrd explained.

Entry is currently possible by taking an A-Frame Road and the Cabin Mountain Trail, but requires a strenuous ascent.

Dobbins Slashings will be maintained as a flagship preserve within the Allegheny Front Preserve Complex, a designation for both conservation and climate resilience. As warming trends push species north and up-slope, this region which is already a known biodiversity pinch point and is becoming a critical migration corridor.

“The Allegheny Highlands and the Canaan Valley Dolly Sods landscape are incredibly important for long-term species survival,” Byrd explained. “It’s not just about protecting land. It’s about stewarding it in a way that ensures resilience in a changing climate.”

The Nature Conservancy is currently developing a recreation plan for the property with local partners and agencies. Hiking access is a priority, and trail connections to existing public lands are already in progress.

For those wanting to celebrate the new Dobbins Slashing preserve, a public celebration will be held from 7-8 p.m. at Stumptown Ales in Davis, Tucker County, held in partnership with the Blackwater Bicycle Association and the Canaan MTB Festival, which runs from June 12-15.

Outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore Dobbins Slashing will have their chance at 10 a.m. June 14, when one of the conservancy’s representatives will lead a six- to eight-mile hike through the area. The hike will be held in coordination with the mountain bike festival.

Hikers will navigate the northern extension of the Rocky Ridge Trail, then continue along the historic Dobbins Railroad grade, bringing views of both Canaan Valley and the Dobbins Slashings Bog. The route is expected to form a loop, and the distance will be adjusted based on group interest.

“This hike is best suited for experienced hikers due to the elevation gain and length,” Byrd noted.