This summer, a team of researchers from West Virginia University (WVU) is kicking off a 3-year study of cliff habitats in the New River Gorge. These researchers, with the cooperation of the National Park Service, will study the natural resources of the cliffs, including botany and geology. Local climbers have already started working with the researchers to provide information about climbing activity in the Gorge. This is an important study and will help climbers help to better manage this valuable resource. This project was also made possible by grants from the Access Fund and the Explorers Club Washington Group.

According to Dave Smaldone, Assistant Professor, Recreation, Parks & Tourism Resources, at WVU, one of the researchers in the project:

"A large study focused on the unique cliff habitats of the New River Gorge is beginning this summer, and will last almost 3 years. According to the General Management Plan of the New River Gorge National River, cliff habitats at the New River are one of its fundamental resources. However, knowledge about cliffs is currently lacking — very little is known about the biodiversity of the flora and plant communities specifically associated with them, and visitor use has never been systematically studied. The study is being conducted by a team of researchers from West Virginia University, in cooperation with the National Park Service. This study will be a comprehensive assessment of the natural resources of the cliffs, including the botany and geology. The extent of the cliffs and associated landforms will be mapped, and geologically described. Cliff vegetation and their associated communities will be surveyed, inventoried and mapped, including the plants, bryophytes, and lichens. The study will also assess visitor uses—who visits the cliffs, how they use the cliffs and their beliefs and attitudes regarding the cliffs. One of the final outcomes will be the development of cliff-related interpretive and educational materials, based on the findings of the study. For more information on this project, please contact Dr. Dave Smaldone at WVU (304-293-7404), or John Perez at the New River Gorge National River (304-465-6537)."