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Youth Environmental Conference

About

The Youth Environmental Conference is a weekend conference geared toward West Virginia youth, ages 13-18. The event is held annually during the fall and typically is hosted by one of West Virginia's state parks. The highlight of the conference is a Saturday field trip during which attendees visit area points of interest, while learning about conservation and the environment. Participants also attend environmental workshops that focus on topics such as recycling, clean water and wildlife. Guest speakers each year highlight careers in environmental fields. The inaugural Youth Environmental Conference was held in 1976 in Beckley.

48th Annual Youth Environmental Conference

The 48th annual Youth Environmental Conference is scheduled for November 8-10, 2024, at Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All participants wanting to attend the conference can request to send two members between the ages of 13 and 18 and one chaperone at no charge. There is a possibility that additional scholarships may be available; however, it is not guaranteed. Please contact us for authorization.
Be sure to complete the reservation form as soon as possible as the scholarships will go quickly.
All participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the conference.

Additional youth participants and adult chaperones are welcome to attend at the cost of $225 each. Please make checks payable to "Department of Environmental Protection" or "DEP"

Reservation Deadline

The deadline for receiving reservations is 3 pm, Friday, October 11, 2024.

Blackwater Falls requires the list of all conference participants by this date.
A limited number of rooms are available. Rooms that are not used will be released on October 11.
Reservations will be accepted after October 11 only if rooms are still available at Blackwater Falls State Park.

Room Assignments

Room assignments will be made with 2 to 4 participants per room, chaperones included, depending on room type. Preference of roommates must be listed on the reservation form.

No room changes will be made upon arrival.
All participants must be pre-registered; no walk-ins will be accepted.

Consent Information

Permission slip, release form, photo consent and conference rules will be sent with your confirmation.

Attendance at this conference confirms an agreement to abide by all conference rules.
The permission slip, release form and photo consent form must be signed by the parent/guardian and by the participant and must be received by November 1. Faxed copies are unacceptable. Original forms with original signatures are needed.
Participants cannot attend the Saturday tour without the original signed release forms.

Additional information, details, and itinerary are available in the provided reservation letter for the 48th annual YEC.

2024 Youth Environmental Conference Reservation Letter

Conference Details

When: November 8-10, 2024
Where Blackwater Falls State Park
Deadline: 3:00 PM on Friday, October 11, 2024

Blackwater Falls State Park

CC BY-SA 2.5 - Tim Kiser - Self-photographed

Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls, along with a few of the park’s other features like Elakala Falls, Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook, are some of the state’s most photographed spots. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views year-round by taking the steps to the falls or using viewing platforms. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails, the longest sledding magic carpet on the East Coast in the winter, a comfortable lodge and more.

Website

Map & Directions

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need to inquire about additional scholarships, please contact us:

Phone: (304) 414-9759
Email: Annette.L.Hoskins@wv.gov

Conference History

The inaugural Youth Environmental Conference was held in 1976 in Beckley. The YEC is a weekend conference in the fall filled with field trips and environmental activities geared toward youth between the ages of 13 and 18. The participants attend environmental workshops on subjects such as recycling, clean water, wildlife, etc.

The 2019 conference was hosted in September by Hawks Nest State Park in Fayette County. Conference participants visited the Canyon Rim Visitors Center, Fayette Station and Adventures on the Gorge.

The 2021 conference was held on October 1-3 at Cacapon State Park, but COVID forced us to cancel our in-person conference and put together another virtual YEC.

The 2022 conference was held on October 7-9 at Twin Falls tate Park.

The 2023 conference was cancelled.

2022 Conference

47th Annual Youth Environmental Conference

Twin Falls State Park in Wyoming County was the site of our 2022 Youth Environmental Conference on October 7-9. Middle school and high school age students learned about careers in environmental fields, toured the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Museum, got an up-close look at a landfill at the Raleigh County Recycling Center and had a lot of fun navigating our Environmental Escape Room. We're already making plans for the 48th annual Youth Environmental Conference, which is scheduled for October 6-8, 2023, at Cacapon State Park in the Eastern Panhandle. We hope to see you there!

Youth Environmental Conference attendees listen to their tour guide during a stop at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Museum. Conference participants went inside the exhibition mine and toured other vintage structures on the property.

Conference participants describe their art project made from recyclable materials.

Twin Falls State Park Naturalist presents a program on Friday during the Youth Environmental Conference.

Attendees at the Youth Environmental Conference pose for a group photo.

Youth Environmental Conference participants try to unlock the answers in the Environmental Escape Room.

Virtual 2021 Conference

Monday, October 25, 2021

Welcome to the 2021 Virtual Youth Environmental Conference. This week, we'll be exploring environmentally related careers here in West Virginia. We begin the week with a chat with Craig Pyles - Park Superintendent at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park in Wood County.

Learn More

Meet Craig Pyles

Craig is the superintendent at Blennerhassett Island State Park in Wood County.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The 2021 Virtual Youth Environmental Conference continues its Careers in Conservation Series with a conversation with Carrie Denvir from the Huntington Stormwater Utility.

Learn More

Meet Carrie Denvir

Carrie works for the City of Huntington's stormwater department.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The 2021 Virtual Youth Environmental Conference continues with a conversation with Park Ranger Adrienne Jenkins - Volunteer Coordinator at the New River National Park and Preserve.

Learn More

Meet Adrienne Jenkins

Adrienne is the volunteer coordinator for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

This week's Virtual Youth Environmental Conference continues with a conversation with Rachel Braud. Rachel is an entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pest Survey Specialist for West Virginia and Kentucky.

Learn More

Meet Rachel Braud

Rachel is an entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the pest survey specialist for West Virginia and Kentucky.

Friday, October 29 2021

The 2021 Virtual Youth Environmental Conference wraps up its "Careers in Conservation" series with a conversation with Kayla Bowyer. Kayla is a State Park Naturalist and Program Coordinator at Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County.

Learn More

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Meet Kayla Bowyer

Kayla is program coordinator at Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County.

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Virtual 2020 Conference

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Careers in Conservation

Raptor Rescue
West Virginia resident Jo Santiago describes her work with raptors and educational outreach as part of the Forest Service International Program. She takes care of six permanently injured birds, including two that she has featured in this video: a red-tailed hawk and a bald eagle.

The Migratory Raptor Program: A Red-tailed Rescue

DNR Law Enforcement
Conservation officers with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources do more than enforce the laws that govern the Mountain State’s hunters and anglers. Learn more about their role in West Virginia and the path to becoming a DNR conservation officer. This Careers in Conservation segment is part of the DEP's 2020 Youth Environmental Program Virtual Conference.

Learn More:
- Division of Natural Resources Home Page
  Home Page for the Division of Natural Resources
Nature Photography
District Two YEP coordinator Susan Parker interviews Tyler Evert, with the WV Division of Commerce about his exciting career as a nature photographer.
Forestry
Interested in a career in Forestry? Listen in as we talk with Craig Minton, Forester with the West Virginia Division of Forestry’s District 6 Headquarters. Craig has over 35 years of experience managing West Virginia’s beautiful forest lands.
Learn More:
- Division of Forestry Home Page
Water Industry
Doug and Shanti Amos discuss the variety of possible careers in the water industry.
Glenville State
A promo video for Glenville State College.
Jobs at WV DEP
A video discussing careers at WV DEP.
Recycling
What’s it like to be a scientist in sustainability? Meet Ernie Simpson, Global VP of Research & Development and Chief Scientist at TerraCycle.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Virtual Tour around West Virginia

West Virginia Wildlife Center
Beth Henry-Vance with the Youth Environmental Program takes a trip to the West Virginia Wildlife Center in Upshur County, which is home to native and introduced species such as elk, bison, mountain lions, bobcats, bears, deer and a famous groundhog named French Creek Freddie. The center is open year-round, and features a trail, picnic areas, gift shop and fishing area.
Cedar Creek State Park
Come along with us as we explore Cedar Creek State Park in Gilmer County near Glenville, West Virginia, thru the eyes of Forester, Jesse King. Cedar Creek’s rolling hills and wide valleys covering over 2,500 wooded acres provide the perfect place for exploring nature and having fun in the great outdoors.
Tygart Lake
Located in Taylor County near Grafton, West Virginia, Tygart Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities. The DEP's Shanti Amos is your host for this "virtual" tour, which is part of the DEP's 2020 Youth Environmental Program Virtual Conference.
Trout Pond Recreation Area
The DEP's Susan Parker is our host for this "virtual" tour, which is part of the DEP's 2020 Youth Environmental Program Virtual Conference.
Forks of Coal State Natural Area
The 100-plus acre Forks of Coal State Natural Area, just south of Charleston, is a nature lover’s dream with miles of scenic trails. In 2021, the site will be even more of an attraction when a state of the art education center opens on the property. The DEP's Tom Aluise is our guide for this "virtual" tour, which is part of the DEP's 2020 Youth Environmental Program Virtual Conference.
Cathedral Falls
Located alongside US 60 in Fayette County, West Virginia, Cathedral Falls is both scenic and easy to access. This "virtual" tour is part of the DEP's 2020 Youth Environmental Program Virtual Conference.