Memorial Trees On the Land

To acknowledge lives lost and hope for the future, overdose memorial trees were installed in eight counties through a Jobs & Hope West Virginia project supported by the Cacapon Institute.

Gesundheit! Institute served as the planting site for Pocahontas County tree and is caring for a birch tree. This project was started because of the loss of a Pocahontas County resident, Harry Burch Davis, in December 2022. 

West Virginia has the highest overdose death rate in the nation, contributing to the over 100,000 overdose deaths last year nationwide. Tree installation on the land included a remembrance for lives lost and Naloxone training with free Narcan for attendees. 

International Overdose Awareness Day is on August 31st and this tree will be a gathering space then and always for those visiting the land. 

Pictures include a framed picture of Burch and land steward Adam, along with Burch’s childhood friend Issac preparing the planting site.