The Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC) received the Future of Tourism Award in Charleston last week during the 2026 West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The Almost Heaven Achievement Awards recognize individuals, organizations and communities that are making a meaningful impact on West Virginia’s tourism industry. SHARC was recognized for its innovative approach to outdoor recreation management, workforce development, public land stewardship and regional collaboration.
Charles Evans, Backcountry Coordinator for SHARC, was the nominated recipient on behalf of the collaborative. SHARC was established through a partnership of local organizations, land managers, and outdoor recreation partners with a mission to enhance, promote and develop outdoor recreation in the Snowshoe Highlands region.
“I’m incredibly stoked to work alongside an amazing team that understands the bigger picture,” Evans said.
“Access is paramount to recreation, and the more sustainable and safe that access is, the more people can enjoy the places we’re working so hard to build and protect. This award represents more than the work happening today, it symbolizes the future of a workforce that is essential not only to recreation, but as a holistic resource for the communities we serve.”
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service within the Monongahela National Forest, the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitor Bureau, Snowshoe Mountain Resort and numerous community and outdoor recreation organ- izations, SHARC formally established its Backcountry Management Team in 2022 to help address deferred maintenance across trail systems throughout the region.
Since its establishment, the team has grown to include a full-time Backcountry Coordinator, three full-time Trail Crew Leads, and up to six seasonal Trail Maintenance Technicians each year. The team works within a unique three-pillar approach that combines recreation infrastructure management, wildland fire response and Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) for backcountry rescue and medical emergencies.
The program has also become an important workforce development oppor- tunity in rural West Virginia. Crew members receive hands-on training in trail construction and maintenance, chainsaw operations, risk management, emergency medical response, public land stewardship and wildfire support. These skills provide valuable experience for careers in outdoor recreation, natural resource management, conservation, emergency services and public land management.
“SHARC demonstrates what can happen when we invest in both the places people come to experience and the people who make those experiences possible,” said Chelsea Faulknier, Executive Director of the Pocahontas County CVB.
“The Backcountry Management Team has become an incredible asset to the Snowshoe Highlands region, not only through the work they are doing on our trails and public lands, but through the opportunities they are creating for people to build careers and stay connected to our communities.”
Today, the SHARC Backcountry Management Team supports stewardship efforts across 450 miles of trail and thousands of acres of public land throughout the Snowshoe Highlands region. The team’s work helps improve trail conditions and visitor experiences while also strengthening the region’s ability to respond to backcountry emergencies and support public land stewardship.
At its core, SHARC’s work is focused on creating long-term opportunities for the region’s outdoor recreation economy. Through partnerships with local schools, workforce development initiatives, land managers and regional organizations, SHARC provides hands-on experiences that help develop the next generation of outdoor recreation professionals and land stewards.
The Future of Tourism Award recognizes SHARC’s continued efforts to strengthen outdoor recreation, develop a skilled workforce, improve public lands and build a more connected and resilient tourism economy throughout the Snowshoe Highlands region.
About SHARC
The Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC) operates an integrated backcountry management model that unites trail stewardship, wildland fire operations, and rapid emergency response. In partnership with counties, federal agencies, emergency services, tourism organizations, and community stakeholders, SHARC enhances public safety, supports rural economies, and cultivates a skilled, year-round workforce.
