CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s leaf peeping season in the Mountain State and this year, instead of the traditional fall foliage reports from foresters within the West Virginia Division of Forestry, state officials from tourism and state parks along with residents and visitors alike will be following the changing reds, oranges and yellows.
Later this week, Wild, Wonderful West Virginia, also known as the state Division of Tourism, launches an interactive online map at GoToWV.com/fallcolor comprised of webcam links and photos of the changing leaves.
Photos can be submitted now via GoToWV.com/leaves or on social media with #MyWV Fall Color.
“People want to know where to go to see the leaves. We have a lot of leaf peepers. We have folks wanting to take scenic drives. We even have a lot of folks that are taking the train just so they can see the fall color,” said Tina Stinson, director of special projects and strategic initiatives for Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
An avid leaf peeper herself, Stinson said the goal is to connect with people out and about across the Mountain State as the seasons change to allow for photo sharing while providing useful information to others seeking guidance for their own trips.
Beginning on Sept. 29, the effort expands when Wild, Wonderful West Virginia releases the first in a series of weekly reports on the best places — at that time — for fall colors in the Mountain State through a “When and Where To Visit” section at GotToWV.com/fallcolor.
Similar information is also going to be available by phone at 1-800-CALL-WVA.
Though the first official day of fall is Thursday, West Virginia’s highest elevations are already seeing color changes.
The season typically lasts through late October with areas in central and southern West Virginia being the last with leaves.
A budget shortfall of $1.7 million lead to layoffs of 37 employees within the state Division of Forestry earlier this year, including many foresters who contributed to weekly fall foliage reports in West Virginia in past years. Because of the personnel reductions, no such reports are planned this year.
Fall is a busy travel season in West Virginia, according to Stinson, and she said she’s hoping the tourism site is useful for travelers seeking foliage information.
“That’s why a lot of people come in the fall. They want to see those leaves,” she told MetroNews.