From black bears in the Dolly Sods Wilderness to eagles circling Hanging Rocks in the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest, the recently published West Virginia Wildlife Viewing Guide showcases some of the best places in the state to view wild animals in their natural habitat.

      Author Mark Damian Duda, working closely with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, describes where, when and how to view wildlife in its natural habitat at 63 different sites throughout the state. Each site description includes details of which species viewers would likely see, the best time of year to encounter them, and the facilities available at each site. The book also offers tips on how to best watch wildlife, in addition to maps and color photos of many of the state's wildlife species.

      The sites are located throughout the state, from the Eastern Panhandle to the Ohio River, from the Cumberland Plateau to the Northern Panhandle. Each site listed will be marked with Watchable Wildlife's brown and white binoculars logo, so visitors will know to use the guide to help make their wildlife watching experiences more successful and fun.

      The guidebook is the first step in establishing a statewide Watchable Wildlife program through the DNR, which joins 27 other states in publishing such a guide. The Watchable Wildlife Program is a nationwide cooperative effort to combine wildlife conservation with America's growing interest in wildlife-related outdoor recreation. It is founded on the notion that, given opportunities to enjoy and learn about wildlife in natural settings, people will become advocates for conservation in the future.

      "West Virginia's move to join this effort is a natural," Duda suggests. "West Virginia means wildlands, and wildlands mean wildlife...and lots of it. The state is home to 67 species of mammals, 176 species of fish, 299 species of birds, 43 species of amphibians, and 42 species of reptiles," he writes. "More than 128 butterfly species grace the skies, and 2,300 species of vascular plants blanket the rugged landscape."

      The series is published by Falcon Press in cooperation with Defenders of Wildlife. The WV Wildlife Viewing Guide was funded cooperatively by the DNR Wildlife Resources Section and the West Virginia and U.S. Departments of Transportation. It can be purchased at bookstores throughout the state for $8.95 (plus tax), $1 of which goes to wildlife conservation efforts in West Virginia. It can also be purchased for $9 (postage paid, including tax) through the WV DNR by calling (304)637-0245.