Friends of the Cheat is trying to purchase an outstanding piece of scenic recreational land along West Virginia’s Big Sandy. I can’t give you too many details, as the purchase is still in negotiation. But it covers 2.2 miles of shoreline and trails along the lower section, one of West Virginia’s most beautiful rivers for paddlers, hikers, and fishermen. The trail is very popular, and our goal is to keep both it and the shoreline protected and open to public use.

The Redwood Creek Wines “Greater Outdoors Project” is offering a $50,000 competitive grant. Friends of Cheat applied for this grant to support this effort. A panel of judges reviewed over 100 applications from trail clubs and conservation groups. We finished in the top five.

We really need your help in the next phase, but it won’t cost you a penny.

On June 15^th a short 150 word bio on the project and a photo will be posted on the RedwoodCreek.com website.  The direct link for the voting is: http://www.redwoodcreek.com/greatoutdoors/voting.asp. You have to register with the site, which involves giving a valid e-address. After registering and confirming your registration, scroll down three projects and click on the "Friends of the Cheat" project. You can vote every day and  the voting lasts through July 31^st. The project getting the most votes is the winner.

Please bookmark this site and go there every day when you check the weather, news, or river levels. Vote early and often for the Big Sandy Project. Then spread the word! Copy this email and send it to friends and contacts who you think would help us.

This grant could make or break our effort to protect this land!

Thanks,

Charlie Walbridge, President

Keith Pitzer, Executive Director

Friends of the Cheat

ccwalbridge@cs.com

kpitzer@cheat.org