The Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center is located in Alum Creek on 102 acres of land in the Forks of Coal State Natural Area, which is named after the confluence of the Big Coal and Little Coal Rivers. Plan a day trip with your family and learn more about the flora and fauna of West Virginia and enjoy a scenic hike through the Forks of Coal State Natural Area’s three miles of trails
The Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center is home to exhibits to help visitors learn about West Virginia’s native wildlife including conservation, game management, forestry, stream restoration and how to identify native plants and animals. Visitors to the center can learn about some of our state’s wildlife success stories and what they can do to improve the health of wildlife populations at home.
The Natural Area currently has three miles of trails and includes three new connecting trails, interpretive signage and outdoor exhibits. The flora, fauna, geologic and Coal River history are available all year long throughout the trails.
Snake Day Event
July 12
History of the Coal River area with Doug Wood
July 19
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources received the Forks of Coal State Natural Area in the fall of 2015 as a donation from Jack Workman on behalf of himself and his late wife Claudia L. Workman. The facility is located in Alum Creek on 102 acres of land that borders US Rt. 119 (Corridor G) on the southern and eastern sides and extends north to the confluence of the Big Coal and Little Coal Rivers, forming the triangular shaped property.
In 2016, the Forks of Coal State Natural Area Foundation was established to work with the WVDNR, to preserve, protect and enhance the Forks of Coal State Natural Area. The Foundation was instrumental in securing an Abandon Mine Lands grant to cover the cost of constructing the exhibits for the Education Center. The Foundation has also been spearheading trail development as well as enhancing wildlife demonstration areas such as installation of a pollinator field and construction and installation of a Chimney Swift tower.
The Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center stands as a tribute to the vision and generosity of Jack and Claudia Workman, who spent their lives carefully stewarding nearly 300 acres of land along the Kanawha–Lincoln County line, where the Big Coal and Little Coal rivers meet—a place they called the Forks of Coal.
Jack and Claudia shared a deep appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to conservation. Following Claudia’s passing in 2014, Jack sought to honor her memory by donating 102 acres on the west side of Corridor G (U.S. Route 119) to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). This generous gift created the foundation for a new wildlife education facility that would bear her name: the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center.
In 2015, the WVDNR formally accepted the land donation, and the Forks of Coal State Natural Area Foundation was established to support the center and its mission. Today, the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center welcomes visitors to explore, learn and connect with the natural beauty and wildlife of West Virginia.
Hours
Tuesdays – Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission
Free and Open to the Public
Address
301 Forks of Coal Way
Alum Creek, WV 25003
Contact
304-915-8028
Buy a Brick, Build a Legacy
Contribute to the Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center and the Forks of Coal Natural Area by purchasing a personalized brick to make your name or the memory of a loved one a permanent part of the Wildlife Education Center. If you would like to order a brick, please visit bricksrus.com/donorsite/forksofcoal.
