NFC Announces West Virginia Chapter

NFC is excited to announce the launch of our 8th state chapter: West Virginia. We now have chapters in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Alabama.

West Virginia is an important state for stream-resident wild native brook trout, the official State Fish. The state is also home to other unique, rare, and at-risk species of fish.

“West Virginia is home to roughly 175 fish species across 24 different families. Approximately 20% are classified as gamefish, and 80% as nongame species. ”

West Virginia is also a state with a lot of challenges, including land use, water issues, stocking, and nonnative fish introductions.

“Two species of fish in West Virginia are listed as Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA): Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) and diamond darter (Crystallaria cincotta). ”

Special thanks to our new West Virginia Chair Beau Robinson, along with the rest of the West Virginia Board: Allen Carpenter, Jimmy Hartley, Travis Hines, Drew Jacobs, Nathan Justice (BrookieBum), Doug Matthews, Lee Setzer, Bryan Shamblin, and Philip Smith. Also, National Vice Chair Emily Bastian and Technologist Ben Brunt.

We will be announcing a West Virginia Vice Chair and Secretary shortly, and it is likely that a few others will be joining the board soon as well.