Critters at Risk

The temperate forests of central and southern Appalachia are home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. But climate change, pollution and loss of habitat are putting many of these creatures at risk of extinction.

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Streamside Technology in the Clinch River Valley

By Kimber Ray Although visitors are unlikely to stumble upon Saint Paul, Va., by chance, those who do might be surprised to learn that this small, rural town hosts some of the most novel trails in the country. Located along the crystal-clear waters of the Clinch River in Russell and Wise Counties, Saint Paul boasts…

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Peregrine Falcons: Diving Back into Appalachia

By Nolen Nychay High atop the cityscape, yellow-ringed eyes squinting in morning sun, the dark silhouette of a peregrine falcon lies in wait of the perfect ambush. As a low-flying pigeon approaches, the peregrine leaps into a dive, closing the 100-foot gap within seconds. In a flurry of feathers, she plucks the unsuspecting pigeon out…

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Kentucky Arrow Darter Threatened by Mountaintop Removal

By Madison Hinshaw, Communications Editorial Intern in Spring 2012. We’ve known for a long time that mountaintop removal is affecting Appalachian creatures. This time it’s a fish found in the Appalachian streams and rivers — the Kentucky arrow darter. This fish, found only in Kentucky, is one of the top 10 U.S. species most threatened…

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