Davis residents receive The Courage Project award for connecting West Virginians with the outdoors

DAVIS, W.Va (WDTV) - Davis residents and husband and wife Alex Snyder and Libbey Holewski have channeled their passion for the outdoors by allowing thousands of others to experience Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.

Their nonprofit organization Appalachian Expeditions takes participants on a variety of adventures around Tucker County, in landscapes like Blackwater Falls State Park.

Snyder and Holewski were recently recognized for their efforts in connecting West Virginians to the beauty of their state.

They received The Courage Project award, which celebrates individuals and organizations around America who strengthen their local communities.

“I feel super grateful to The Courage Project and all of the foundation members who support that as well,” Snyder said. “I’m grateful to the people in our community who are on our trips or on our board or volunteering for our programs or any number of other things, It feels really special to watch things grow, and The Courage Project is a huge part of that too, now.”

Appalachian Expeditions has partnered with Tucker County Public Schools and hosts many expeditions which are tailored toward certain age groups of children and teenagers.

The organization also focuses on education with lessons relating to topics like leadership, community building and natural history.

Snyder hopes that participants will feel encouraged to help care for and protect their local environment.

“What people see is the adventures, the backpacking and the boating and the caving and all of those things,” Snyder said. “But really, our main goal is to get people to connect with the place, and hopefully that leads to people having a desire to protect it and help instill an environmental ethic.

The organization is hosting many different adventures over the summer, with trips for children, women and all adults. To learn more or get involved, visit appalachianexpeds.org.