The Murphy family donated this 276 acre tract to The Nature Conservancy in 1967 so that there would always be a place where natural processes could continue without human intrusion. The preserve consists of two tracts of older oak-hickory forest on rolling topography of hills and coves. The two ponds on the property have a large number of amphibians and have been the subject of several research projects.
Near Pennsboro, WV
Contact: Mike Powell
Bunnell Run Road, 50/21 and Cunningham Run Road
Pennsboro,WV 26415
Email: dpowell@tnc.org
Website: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/westvirginia/placesweprotect/murphy-preserve.xml#thingsToDo
The preserve will always be open.
Free
Things To Do What to See: Plants Spring has bountiful wildflower displays.
What to See: Animals Summer has nesting birds, including the Cerulean Warbler.
Plan Your Visit The preserve has no formal trails but hiking is easy since the mature forests have an open understory.
Directions From Parkersburg:
•Take U.S. Route 50 east for 30 miles. •Just before Pennsboro, turn right on Bunnell Run Road, 50/21. •Go approximately 3 miles and look for an old oil tower. •Park on the left next to the gas line right-of-way. Hike up the hill on the right-of-way.
•Circling around to the other side of the preserve is possible in a high clearance vehicle. •Continue down Bunnell Run Road, and turn right at the stop sign. •After you pass a church and cemetery, turn right onto Cunningham Run Road. •The opposite side of the preserve begins at the gas pipeline and continues up to the AT&T building on right side of road. •Continue up this road to orange flags on the left that mark the beginning of Tract 1. •Tract 1 continues to new dirt road on left, from which you can exit back out onto Route 50. •The stone preserve sign is about mid-way on the left side of the road.
Preserves owned or administered by The Conservancy are managed so as to protect fragile ecological resources. You will find them in their natural state, generally with few trails or facilities. The trails we do maintain or create are designed to protect the most fragile portions of the preserve, and to direct visitors toward those areas that can handle more use. We ask that you tread lightly.
http://www.protectedplanet.net/sites/MurphyMurphyConservancyEasementTheNatureConservancy
This information has been verified.
