Simonton Windows associates in the company’s West Virginia facilities recently joined with representatives from The Nature Conservancy to clear and establish a hiking trail at Murphy Preserve in Ritchie County, W.Va. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, Murphy Preserve consists of 276 acres of older oak and hickory forest on rolling topography and hills.
“Under the guidance of The Nature Conservancy our Simonton team of volunteers made a significant enhancement to the hiking trail at Murphy Preserve,” says Marty Davis, marketing and public relations manager with Simonton Windows. “The weather was beautiful and it was a great day to be outdoors and experience the natural resources and beauty in our state. Our associates enjoyed giving back to our community while supporting the goals and ideals of our corporate partner, The Nature Conservancy.”
The volunteers raked leaves and cleared fallen logs and branches to better define the hiking path for future visitors.
“We worked a full day clearing trail and achieved the goal I had set for our outing that day,” says Mike Powell, land steward for The Nature Conservancy. “The work we accomplished will make this valuable piece of land much more accessible for others in the surrounding community to enjoy.”
“It was a lot of work, but it was also an informative experience,” Davis adds. “Representatives from The Nature Conservancy took time to educate our team about the history of the land and the species of trees, plants and animals found on the Preserve. We are currently planning a second volunteer day in the spring to complete the hiking trail.”
Open to the public and owned by The Nature Conservancy since 1967, Murphy Preserve consists of two tracts of older oak-hickory forest on rolling topography of hills and coves. The two ponds on the 276 acres in Ritchie County have a large number of fish, reptiles, frogs and toads that have been the subject of several research projects at universities around the state of West Virginia. Bountiful wildflower displays and nesting birds can be seen in the spring and summer months.
Simonton Windows participated in the Murphy Preserve project as part of a new corporate partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. started earlier this year. Along with a philanthropic contribution to the organization, the company encourages its associates to become actively involved in donating time and talent to different locations owned by The Nature Conservancy.
Simonton Windows is a Fortune Brands Home & Security company and supports other worthwhile organizations including the American Cancer Society, Homes for Our Troops, Building for America’s Bravest and the Wounded Warrior Project.