Aurora Sustainable Lands, Partners Protect Record Amount of Forestland in West Virginia

Historic agreement preserves 38,000 acres of working forests through permanent conservation easements

In partnership with the West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) and The Conservation Fund, Aurora Sustainable Lands has finalized an agreement to permanently protect 38,000 acres of privately owned land in three West Virginia counties. The agreement guarantees the forests are sustainably managed in a way that safeguards waterways, wildlife and expands access to the public. The conservation easements, held by WVLT, protect the land in perpetuity, with local Aurora foresters managing the land according to standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Aurora manages more than 1.6 million acres of forestland across the U.S., including over 640,000 acres in West Virginia, transitioning historically industrial forestland toward active management that prioritizes long-term forest health and resilience. Across its forestland, Aurora has worked with partners to establish conservation easements that help protect the forests for generations, no matter if the land changes ownership. In 2025, Aurora began working with The Conservation Fund and WVLT to establish conservation easements for portions of its West Virginia property.

This project sets a new standard for conservation in West Virginia. Thanks to the collaboration of the West Virginia Land Trust, The Conservation Fund, and local partners, 38,000 acres of unique working forests are now permanently protected. Aurora is proud to have helped make this happen and looks forward to continuing this work together,” said Aaron Paul, Chief Commercial Officer at Aurora Sustainable Lands.

The conservation easements are primarily located in three counties in Southern West Virginia:

• Monroe County: Forestland bordering Back Creek, protecting headwaters and wildlife habitat.
• Summers County: Land surrounding Keeney Knob, safeguarding high-elevation forests and downstream water quality.
• Fayette County (three easements including acreage within Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties): Large forestland adjoining the New River National Gorge, offering new opportunities for recreation, hunting, fishing, hiking, and rock climbing, particularly along the Meadow River corridor.

The easements provide lasting benefits for West Virginians, preserving healthy forests and the value they provide to people, communities and the local economy. The easements preserve:

• Large, connected parcels of land, including several tracts of more than 4,000 acres and one of more than 10,000 acres.
• More than 80 miles of rivers and streams in wetlands that supply drinking water to local communities.
• Habitat for rare plant and animal species including snails, salamanders, butterflies, and bats; and species of wildflowers and crayfish only found in the Central Appalachians.

This project is extraordinary not only because of its size, but because of the lasting benefits it creates for West Virginians,” said Ashton Berdine, The Conservation Fund’s West Virginia state director. “These easements protect drinking water, strengthen outdoor recreation economies, sustain working forests, and preserve places that communities have valued for generations.”

The conservation easements also support jobs in West Virginia’s timber industry through harvesting and maintenance, and will lead to greater access to hunting, fishing, and other recreation opportunities in the years ahead.

The conservation easements are located on land that has been owned and managed by Aurora since 2022 and are the first new easements protected under Aurora’s ownership. Aurora stewards conservation agreements with local and state partners in 8 states on over 350,000 acres of working forests, wildlife habitat, and waterways.

About West Virginia Land Trust

The West Virginia Land Trust is a nationally accredited statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving West Virginia’s natural lands, scenic areas, water quality, and recreational access forever. Since 1994, the organization has permanently protected more than 62,000 acres of land statewide including more than 30 conservation easements and ownership of more than 30 properties designated to be public nature preserves. To learn more, visit www.wvlandtrust.org.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. Specifically in West Virginia, The Conservation Fund has completed 50 projects, protecting 113,267 acres. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.