From: Rodney Bartgis rbartgis@TNC.ORG Date: July 8, 2014 4:54:16 PM EDT To: Duane330@aol.com, >roddj@hotmail.com>, jkotcon@wvu.edu, achester@hsc.wvu.edu Cc: Beth Wheatley ewheatley@TNC.ORG Subject: Transition

After working so closely with all of you on the Cheat Canyon project, I wanted to let you all know that after more than 20 years with The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia (which is so hard for me to believe!) and 12 as state director, I am stepping down July 18th. I will stay involved in land conservation in WV as the (volunteer) chair of the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund, the state program that helped fund Cheat Canyon. I am going to take time to step back and reflect upon what I want to do next in my career – perhaps take on another role with TNC or maybe head in a different conservation direction. Regardless, I have had a most rewarding career and a wonderful journey so far. Completing the protection of Cheat Canyon has been a huge part of that and I want to thank all of you for what you have done to help save the canyon.

While my office phone and email will change, my cell (below) will stay the same. West Virginia Nature Conservancy has a terrific staff and its future is in great hands. Should you have any Conservancy questions, please feel free to reach out to Beth Wheatley (copied) and always feel free to reach out to me directly whenever! Warmest regards, Rodney Please consider the environment before printing this email Rodney Bartgis Director

rbartgis@tnc.org (304) 637-0160 Ext. 103 (Phone) (304) 704-6455 cell nature.org

The Nature Conservancy West Virginia Field Office 194 Airport Road Elkins, WV 26241