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

WVDNR partners with Toyota to promote pollinator conservation

Photo courtesy W.Va. DNR

BUFFALO, W.VA. — Private landowners in the Kanawha Valley had a hands-on opportunity to learn how to create a pollinator habitat on their property through a recent workshop hosted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc.

“About 40 percent of native pollinators in the United States are in decline, so we here at the WVDNR are trying to give landowners the tools they need to help reverse that decline,” said Susan Olcott, pollinator project leader for the WVDNR.

Olcott, who oversaw the pollinator workshop, said planting native flowers and plants is one of the most important things landowners can do to help revive native pollinator populations.

“Not all pollen and nectar are created equal, so when you plant a pollinator garden — like the one we have here at Toyota — you want to plant native species because pollinators thrive on native pollen and nectar,” she said.

Toyota Celebrates Anniversary with Pollinator Workshop
Olcott and wildlife biologists from the WVDNR and representatives from Toyota, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service met with landowners in May during a pollinator workshop at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Buffalo.

“This is our 25th anniversary here in West Virginia, so we decided to collaborate with the DNR to host this conference to educate landowners about the importance of pollinators,” said Amanda Williams, an environmental engineer for Toyota. “Our goal at Toyota is to reduce energy consumption and to be an environmentally friendly company.”

Because more than 80 percent of land in West Virginia is privately owned, public-private partnerships are needed to advance the WVDNR’s conservation efforts.

“Private landowners attending today’s workshop had an opportunity to meet with state and federal representatives to learn what technical and financial assistance programs are available to improve their land, which in turn helps our state’s pollinator species,” said Scott Warner, assistant chief of Wildlife Diversity for the WVDNR. “We hope our landowners continue to take an interest in pollinator conservation and that they’ll reach out to our representatives that came to this workshop.”

Pollinators are an integral part of the environment and require diverse habitats to survive. Landowners interested in improving their property by creating habitat for pollinators may contact Lacey Smith, WVDNR/NRCS partner pollinator specialist, by calling 304-368-6909 or sending an email to Lacey.Smith@usda.gov.

To learn more about landscaping for wildlife in general, visit WVdnr.gov/Wildlife/Wildyards.shtm.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Commission partners with development authority, eyes $550k in grants for proposed rec hub

The Upshur County Commission partnered with the Development Authority and authorized applications for $550,000 in grants, as well as a joint property transfer, to support construction of the proposed John C. Allen Regional Hub recreation complex.

High Point Construction takes over lead in men’s golf league

High Point Construction took the top spot in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League after defeating Sam’s Pizza, while Highland Landscaping and Feola’s Flowers tied for second place.

Task force arrests three for selling Delta 8 to people under age 21, issues four additional warrants

After a year-long investigation, the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrested multiple individuals and issued warrants in Upshur County for allegedly selling Delta 8 THC products to individuals under 21.

ATV crash kills 65-year-old woman in Upshur County

Patricia L. Campbell, 65, of Ohio, died after being ejected from an ATV rollover crash in Upshur County on July 4; the investigation continues.

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr.

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr., 84, of Sandusky, a retired Ford Motor Company employee who enjoyed hunting and spending time with family, passed away July 3 and is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.