MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Brush Creek Falls in Mercer County is just off the Turnpike, but you wouldn't know it.

This 33-foot drop of water - the tallest in Southern West Virginia - makes you feel far away.

"The Nature Conservancy acquired lands here at Brush Creek in 1984 and it's an important place, primarily because of its unique biodiversity, but also because of its natural beauty," said Mike Powell, director of Land Management and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia. "People have been coming in here for generations. Even before we acquired the property here, it was a destination for people to come and look at the falls, fish, swim, hike down the old railroad grade - but our interest here, really in the 80s, was because of several rare plants, some of which are rare in West Virginia, some of which are actually rare globally."

Recently, people came together at the falls to celebrate an improved hiking trail.

Erica Byrd, senior market and communications manager for the Nature Conservancy in West Virginia, said it's even easier to enjoy the falls now.

"The trail has been improved, it's been widened, and it's been cleaned up, and it goes all the way down," Byrd said. "Two miles to White Oak falls, and then all the way back as well."

There's also a brand new trailhead kiosk and an improved parking area.

"We talked to a lady yesterday traveling from Charlotte to Indianapolis, and she routinely goes through this area and stops here every time to just have some lunch and hike down and enjoy the falls, do a little leg stretcher," Powell said.

Brush Creek empties into the Bluestone River, where it moves downstream towards Pipestem and Bluestone State Park.

The falls may get the most attention, and rightfully so, but Powell said there are other reasons the preserve is special.

"If you're a wildflower enthusiast, this is always a really good place to come check out. And then also the birds we have. You know, wood thrush is a really unique bird, high conservation value bird. West Virginia has a lot of wood thrush, but throughout their range - they're not super common."

Byrd and Powell both say this was a joint effort to get the job done.

"The American Water grant is what made all of this possible, and the Nature Conservancy loves working with partners that are local in the counties, on the ground here, as well as with larger foundations statewide, even sometimes national, to help get the work done here in West Virginia," Powell said.

"Was really a partnership between the Nature Conservancy, the State Park, the Mercer County Commission and the Department of Highways recreational trails program," he continued. "It's just a great place to get some peace and quiet and a little bit different scenery than the hustle and bustle that's just around the corner."

You can learn more about The West Virginia Nature Conservancy on their website and Facebook page.