TUCKER COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Canaan Valley is a special place. At 3,200 feet above sea-level, it's the highest large valley you'll find east of the Mississippi River.

This also makes it one of the coldest spots you'll find in the Eastern United States.

"This area mimics lands similar to that of Canada given the elevation here", said Bob Frank - project leader with the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

These rare plants found out of place, along with the animals, are protected within the National Wildlife Refuge. Now, that protection will extend even farther.

"Nature conservancy was able to purchase the 1,971 acres that makes up the northern portion of the refuge. Over the next year, fish and wildlife were able to gather the resources to purchase the property," Frank explained.

Mike Powell, director of land management and stewardship with the Nature Conservancy in West Virginia, said this section of the valley is especially peaceful.

"Where they can come out here and really get away from it all. You don't see homes in any direction. You don't see any other developments. It's really a place where nature is really the main driving factor," Powell said.

This area heavily depends on recreation and tourism, but the bridge between letting nature be and having fun has worked here for many years.

"We want to keep that wild and wonderful character of the property, but still make it to where people can get out and enjoy the property and be able to explore," Powell said. "We are working closely with the refuge and their staff to help envision trail connectivity so we want to connect those trails. We want to explore areas that we can develop handicapped accessible hunting blinds and hunting areas."

Part of the northern section of this valley was a private hunting club, but to Powell's surprise the reaction was actually a positive one.

"What we've found is that because of things like increased development and the development of Corridor H and different things that are happening, people really got behind that vision of seeing this property protected," Powell said.

Powell said this protection will also benefit places away from Canaan Valley.

"That's one of the really unique things about Canaan Valley is it's a large wetland complex. The property that we just protected are the headwaters of the Little Blackwater River that joins the Blackwater River just downstream on the refuge," Powell said. "That's another really one of the neat natural features of protecting this land is you're maintaining that flood mitigation, you're continuing to have clean drinking water available."

Frank said most of Canaan Valley will remain untouched, like it's always been.

"See a piece of nature that hasn't been impacted by humans very much," Frank said.

"Memories of visiting here as a child - and their kids and their grandkids will still get to come out to Canaan Valley and see this area wildly undeveloped, and much like it was when they first started visiting," Powell added.