Our Journey to Save White Horse Mountain
Previous Updates
Spring 2018: In partnership with the state of West Virginia, Potomac Conservancy placed conservation easement protections on the mountain to save White Horse Mountain’s forests, plants, and wildlife from future development. The Conservancy transferred the ownership of the property to the state of West Virginia to be publicly opened as a wildlife management area. The mountain is open for walk-in visitors for all types of outdoor recreation. Check out 6 ways to have fun on the mountain!
Winter 2018: We are thrilled to announce that thanks to 59 very special donors, we have raised $35,110 towards the permanent protection of White Horse Mountain. What’s around the bend? Now that you have helped push us toward the finish line, we’ll work with the state of West Virginia to complete all the glamorous paperwork to permanently protect White Horse Mountain and return it to the public as a new recreation destination.
Fall 2017: Potomac Conservancy's White Horse Mountain project won a $40,000 grant from the Conservation Alliance! Thank you to everyone who visited REI Co-op in DC and voted to support White Horse in the Patagonia-sponsored local conservation contest.
October 20, 2017: Thanks to 59 very special donors, we have raised $35,110 towards the permanent protection of White Horse Mountain. What’s around the bend? Now that you have helped push us toward the finish line, we’ll work with the state of West Virginia to complete all the glamorous paperwork to permanently protect White Horse Mountain and return it to the public as a new recreation destination.
September 19, 2017: You have a chance to make twice the impact in helping us turn White Horse Mountain into the region's next best public recreation area. Make a donation between September 19th and October 18th and every gift will be doubled up to $20,000 thanks to some very special donors! Your donation today, matched dollar for dollar, will mean White Horse Mountain will finally go back to its rightful owner - you!
September 15, 2017: Potomac Conservancy's White Horse Mountain project won a $40,000 grant from the Conservation Alliance! Thank you to everyone who visited REI Co-op in DC and voted to support White Horse in the Patagonia-sponsored local conservation contest.
May 2017: Thank you to everyone who visited REI Co-op in DC and voted to support White Horse. Potomac Conservancy's White Horse Mountain project came in second place! We're now eligible to apply for a Conservation Alliance grant.
March 24, 2017: Voting kicks off for REI and Patagonia's Let's Keep It Wild! campaign. Visitors that stop by the new REI store in Washington, DC, can cast a vote for their favorite local conservation project. The winner will be considered for a grant from the Conservation Alliance. Check out our display and vote for White Horse by April 25!
January 2017: The National Wild Turkey Federation’s West Virginia Chapter donates $25,000 toward White Horse Mountain for the conservation of turkey habitat and provision of public hunting land. Thank you, NWTF! We’re now down to fundraising for the last 20 percent of project costs.
December 3, 2016: The Morrison Family Foundation pledged another $200,000 toward saving White Horse Mountain, bringing the foundation’s grand total to $300,000. Thank you!
December 2016: The Dunn Foundation, based in Mineral Wells, WV, donates $10,000 toward White Horse Mountain. This is its first ever gift to Potomac Conservancy. Thank you, Dunn Family!
September 17, 2016: REI has chosen Potomac Conservancy’s White Horse Mountain project to be highlighted in the co-op's new flagship store in Washington, DC. Visitors to the new store will be invited, starting in early 2017, to vote for their favorite conservation project. The winner will be considered for a grant from the Conservation Alliance. Check out our display and vote for White Horse!
Summer 2015: The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is conducting a study of the states’ bobcat population. White Horse Mountain is getting several “hair snares” to capture fur samples and help the DNR learn how many cats are using the mountain property and where they roam. Learn more >
May 14, 2015: Potomac Conservancy purchased White Horse Mountain today, scoring a conservation victory in support of outdoor recreation, historic preservation, water quality, and wildlife habitat protection for a valued landmark directly linked to the Potomac River!
Thank you to the over 250 individuals and organizations who took action and have saved White Horse Mountain forever! This monumental success would not have been possible without you! View the formal announcement >
April 30, 2015: We are truly amazed by the passionate response from our community to Save White Horse Mountain. To date, supporters have donated over $37,000, exceeding our $35,000 goal! Thank you to the over 250 supporters who took action. With your help, Potomac Conservancy is poised to close on the 1,700 acre property in the coming weeks.
At this very moment, staff and board members are working closely with Hampshire County, WV, and the current owners to finalize the deal and protect White Horse Mountain as a public space forever.
It's not too late to make a difference. We're continuing to take contributions to augment our purchase funds. Donate today >
March 3, 2015: Potomac Conservancy's Board of Directors voted to move forward with exercising the option to purchase White Horse Mountain. Once the option is exercised, we must close on the property within 30 days.
February, 2015: Potomac Conservancy is approved for a $2.3M loan from The Conservation Fund to finance the acquisition of the property.
February, 2015: Several funders made six figure commitments to the project, helping us to exceed our goal of $500,000 in cash-in-hand at closing.
