All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

West Virginia State Parks Foundation launches new movement to position West Virginia as one of America’s top state parks experiences

The West Virginia State Parks Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of their new brand and website, Love WV State Parks. The new brand was developed to create better top-of-mind- awareness to facilitate support and love for West Virginia State Parks. The new website may be found at lovewvstateparks.com. The website and branding were created by the team at Blackwell and Company, located in Charleston, which helps position organizations to compete in the marketplace through marketing / advertising, video, web, and print.

“We love the opportunities associated with the outdoor recreation industry and West Virginia State Parks,” said Steve Blackwell, the firm’s Principal / Creative Advisor. “We think we have created a first-class product for the Foundation which will help them showcase the value and importance of our beautiful state parks.”

Foundation Executive Director Bradley Reed agrees. “For years we had a website which helped local foundations organize and navigate the complexities of the non-profit process,” Reed said. This new website is a true showpiece which will illustrate the value of our wonderful state parks, greatly assist us with fundraising, demonstrate our successes, and help people better understand what we need—and what we do.”

The website and new brand clearly define what the Foundation is all about. “Love WV State Parks is not just a name; it is the guiding principle which drives these volunteers to work so hard to make their parks better,” said Blackwell. “When we began working with the group, what really stood out for us was their passion. We didn’t see just another Foundation or fundraising organization—we saw a group of people who truly love their state parks and want to preserve them and make them even better. Love WV State Parks is more than a Foundation; it’s a movement. The new brand is a call to action for all West Virginians and to all our visitors who want to see West Virginia state parks thrive for years to come.”

Funding for the design was made possible through technical assistance from Partner Community Capital’s West Virginia Recreational Economies Initiative. “Partner Community Capital is proud to support the West Virginia State Parks Foundation. Our state parks are not only essential to the health and well-being of West Virginians; they’re also powerful drivers of tourism and rural economic development. Supporting them aligns perfectly with PCAP’s mission to strengthen communities through sustainable, outdoor-based economies,” said Louis Argento, Business Services Coordinator for Partner Community Capital.

Reed asks everyone who loves our state parks to visit the new website and follow the Foundation on Facebook and Instagram. “There is much work that needs to be done to maintain and upgrade our state parks, forests, and rail trails. We ask that you join us in our mission to make West Virginia, America’s top state park experience. We want to encourage our residents and tourists to explore nature, unwind, slow down and enjoy the great state parks and forests that West Virginia is so proud to offer. Through our new website, we can gather new ideas, more volunteers, more donations, and more WV State Parks fans who are committed to make West Virginia State Parks the best state parks experience in the country!”

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