The Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area (SHWMA) is public land managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The SHWMA lies mostly in the Cheat River watershed, however, a portion of it lies within the Deckers Creek watershed. This land offers a broad range of recreational opportunities from hiking and cross country skiing to hunting and bird watching, and is home to a diverse assemblage of wildlife and plants. In fact, it is home to many species of concern, such as the federally threatened flat-spired three-toothed land snail (Triodopsis platysayoides), the Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister), and the green salamander (Aneides aeneus).
The SHWMA was made possible by the long-term fundraising efforts of the Coopers Rock Foundation and other community members. This funding allowed the WVDNR to leverage the rest of the funding necessary to purchase the land from Allegheny Wood Products in 1996. Due to the people who cared, and continue to care, enough to protect this land, future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy its unique qualities.
Check out a map of the SHWMA here.
Here is a small brochure with some additional information on the SHWMA.
