The National Youth Science Foundation (NYSF) has been notified that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior will not pursue an opportunity to acquire the facilities of the Canaan Valley Institute near Davis, West Virginia. As a result, the NYSF will work closely with the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Schools, and other important stakeholders to advance STEM education in West Virginia. Leveraging its half century of experience with the National Youth Science Camp and with appropriate state and private support, the NYSF is anxious to work with representatives of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and CVI to insure that the facilities of CVI are preserved in support of STEM education.
We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic support from the Tucker County Community and especially the help of Senator Manchin, Senator Capito, Congressman McKinley, Governor Tomblin, the Tucker County Commission (Lowell Moore, Diane Hinkle, and Patrick Darlington), and Town of Davis (Mayor Joe Drenning and town council). Additionally, we greatly appreciate the great care and concern shown by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as they thoughtfully reflected on public comment as they considered their decision.