The first in a series of public meetings on the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area project is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Municipal Auditorium in Richwood.

AFHA is a regional, grassroots effort by West Virginia Universitys Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences and WVU Extension to integrate central Appalachian forest history, culture, natural history, products and forestry management into a multi-state heritage tourism initiative to promote rural community development.

Other meetings are planned Monday, Oct. 27, at the Railroad Depot, Elkins; Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Grant County Commission chambers, Petersburg; and Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Garrett County Health Department, Oakland, Md. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

“The goal of this project is to create a sustainable heritage area based on the unified theme of forest heritage,”said Jeremy Morris, program coordinator.”Existing and potential forest-based historic sites, artisans, manufacturers and working forests are being developed into a network of tourist destinations that provide high-quality products, programs, educational experiences, events and visitor services.”

Gathering community advice on how the program should proceed is critical, Morris explained.

“The heart of the program lies within the communities: It is theirs to guide and direct,”he said.”Public input will be invaluable to the AFHA staff and volunteers as the program continues building the partnerships necessary to make the program a successful community and economic development initiative.”

The public meetings will offer chances for the citizens to learn more about the project, discuss significant forest themes that have been defined by stakeholder groups and explore how the project may impact community and economic development. Counties included in the AFHA include Allegheny and Garrett in western Maryland, and Barbour, Braxton, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Morgan, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Webster in West Virginia.

Those unable to attend the meetings may still share their input by sending comments to Morris directly at Jeremy.morris@mail.wvu.edu or requesting a list of the research questions to be discussed at the meetings. Morris can also be reached by phone at 304-293-2941, ext. 2456.