George Washington National Forest: Active Campaign
The 1.1 million-acre George Washington National Forest (GWNF) contains many of the largest unfragmented roadless areas remaining in the eastern United States. The GWNF lies primarily in the Allegheny Mountain range in western Virginia with some sections on the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains. The mountain ridges provide prime habitat for black bear, migratory songbirds, bobcat, rare bats, and salamanders, along with pockets of beautiful old-growth forest and little-seen flora. Less than two hours from Washington, DC, the GWNF is an oasis for back-country recreation such as camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock-climbing, and birdwatching. Elevations range from around 1200 feet to nearly 4500 feet.
Threats
A large portion of the GWNF is underlain by Marcellus Shale, which could make some of our most special places a target for natural gas development by hydrofracking. Although the GWNF Management Plan, released in November 2014, makes almost the entire GWNF off limits for energy development, this decision is only good for the 10–15-year life of the plan.
Wind developers have eyed the high mountain ridges in the GWNF as a site for industrial wind development. This large-scale development would destroy the natural character of our National Forest and would have a particularly negative impact on birds, bats, and other wildlife that need unfragmented forest.
Threats
A large portion of the GWNF is underlain by Marcellus Shale, which could make some of our most special places a target for natural gas development by hydrofracking. Although the GWNF Management Plan, released in November 2014, makes almost the entire GWNF off limits for energy development, this decision is only good for the 10–15-year life of the plan.
Wind developers have eyed the high mountain ridges in the GWNF as a site for industrial wind development. This large-scale development would destroy the natural character of our National Forest and would have a particularly negative impact on birds, bats, and other wildlife that need unfragmented forest.
GWNF Forest Plan
The GWNF developed a Management Plan, released in November 2014. In preparation for this plan, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) and The Wilderness Society published Virginia's Mountain Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest (2008). From this inventory VWC identified the most outstanding candidates for permanent protection and recommended them to the GWNF.
Work with Stakeholders (Read more)
During the GWNF planning process, VWC began to collaborate with representatives from timber, game management, and recreation, as well as other forest preservation groups. This collaboration led to a signed agreement supporting some of our top candidates for Wilderness and National Scenic Area designation. VWC, in turn, has supported an increase in management for wildlife habitat by timber harvest along the periphery of core areas which would be designated as Wilderness or National Scenic Areas.
The GWNF developed a Management Plan, released in November 2014. In preparation for this plan, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) and The Wilderness Society published Virginia's Mountain Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest (2008). From this inventory VWC identified the most outstanding candidates for permanent protection and recommended them to the GWNF.
Work with Stakeholders (Read more)
During the GWNF planning process, VWC began to collaborate with representatives from timber, game management, and recreation, as well as other forest preservation groups. This collaboration led to a signed agreement supporting some of our top candidates for Wilderness and National Scenic Area designation. VWC, in turn, has supported an increase in management for wildlife habitat by timber harvest along the periphery of core areas which would be designated as Wilderness or National Scenic Areas.
VWC's Top Candidates for Wilderness and National Scenic Area Designation
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Current Campaigns for Wilderness and National Scenic Areas:
- Little River Wilderness * (12,490 acres in Augusta) - Bald Ridge Wilderness Addition * (6,000 acres in Augusta) - Lynn Hollow Wilderness * (3,400 acres in Highland)
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Current Campaigns for Wilderness additions:
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See a complete list of VWC's Wilderness and National Scenic Area recommendations by GWNF Ranger District.