12/15 Update
St. Mary's trail and St. Mary's Gorge trail are now open.

12/12 Update
The Big Level fire is currently 1,627 acres and 25% contained. Yesterday’s precipitation had a major dampening effect on the fire area. This will render smaller fuel unavailable for ignition. Larger fuels, such as stumps, however, may continue to smolder despite the moisture. As such fire management personnel will inspect the perimeter to identify any lingering hot spots that may threaten the line. Further fire spread is unanticipated, but the perimeter must still be protected from the possibility of smoldering fuels fanning back to life in the coming days and flipping an ember over the line.

12/10 Update
Big Level Fire is currently at 1,965 acres with 84 personnel and its 12% contained. The incident is being managed by a Forest Service Type 3 team. Today's crews will improve containment features along the Coal Road and the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail. Engines will be actively patrolling the Coal Road as well. With rain yesterday and precipitation possible again, this will give the crews a valuable time window to improve containment lines. For further information, refer to the GWJNF website, follow us on Facebook or contact the Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger District at 540-291-2188.

12/9 Update
​Big Level Fire is currently at 1,900 acres and 10% contained. Today Crews will improve containment features along the Coal Road and the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail. Engines will be actively patrolling, and aviation support will be on call as weather allows. Today, rain is expected to moderate fire behavior. The following areas are temporarily closed to all public use due to the Big Levels Fire to allow for public and firefighter safety (CFR 261.53, 261.54 & 261.55):
• Cold Springs Trail (FT# 524)
• Cellar Mountain Trail (FT#587)
• Bald Mountain Jeep Trail (FSR#162)
• Bald Mountain Spur Road (FSR#162A)
• Saint Mary's Trail (FT#500)
• Saint Mary's Gorge Trail (FT#500B)
• The national forest system lands north of the Saint Mary’s Trail (#500) and within the area bounded by the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail (FSR#162) and the Coal Road (FSR#42) are also CLOSED.

The year may be winding down, but the Virginia Wilderness Committee’s efforts to protect the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest are kicking into high gear!

These next six weeks are essential. Before Congress adjourns for good, it plans to act on several pieces of legislation regarding government funding, our nation’s national security, and changes to agriculture and public lands policy. If history is any indication, there’s a good chance that one of those bills could carry with it various public lands protections, including the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act and the Shenandoah Mountain Act. These two bi-partisan supported bills together will preserve nearly 100,000 acres of National Forest land.

You can help push these bills over the finish line by taking action in two ways:

First, support our work to enact these protections today. Your gift will allow us to push for these priorities to be included in a year-end legislative package. Our staff will be advocating for these bills in DC in the coming weeks, and your gift of $100 or more will support their travel, lodging, and meals. Click here to donate today. Your timely donation will allow for these important face-to-face efforts.

Second, email Senator Kaine and Senator Warner and let them know how important their continued support for these bills will be in getting them passed. The Senators have long been champions of this measure, but the next few weeks may represent the best chance we have to get these bills passed for some time. Click here to learn more about these bills.

Thank you for your continued support of the Virginia Wilderness Committee! We’re very excited about what we can accomplish before the end of the year and your support will get us there!
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Click here to donate now.

We are so pleased to announce three new board members who have joined VWC: Ariel Johnson, Anders Reynolds, and Andrew Young. As you will see, these three bring a lot of the table. 
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​Ariel Johnson is a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University studying forest ecology, disturbance, and biogeochemistry. During her time receiving her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, she studied White Nose Syndrome in bats as a part of the wildlife ecology lab. Between undergrad and graduate school, Ariel worked for the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and USGS working in partnerships, volunteer coordination and outreach, biological data collection, and wildland firefighting.

​As a Federal Legislative Director for Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Anders Reynolds has spent most of his career at the intersection of politics and environmental policy, additionally working with The Pew Charitable Trusts on U.S. public land protection and as a legislative director for a Member of Congress. He’s also served in the Obama administration as federal policy analyst at the Delta Regional Authority and has extensive federal and state campaign experience. As SELC’s federal legislative director, Anders builds and maintains working relationships with Members of Congress and their staffs, offering policy expertise and working with them to advance SELC’s conservation goals.

​Andrew Young is a Staff Attorney at Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance (ABRA), who focuses on public lands conservation, protecting endangered species, ensuring clean water, and ending Appalachia's reliance upon coal. Andrew leads ABRA’s campaign to improve public accessibility of critical environmental information and works in close collaboration with partner organizations to hold regulatory agencies accountable, using all tools from FOIA requests to litigation.

With these new additions to our already active board, we anticipate great things in the coming year. Our commitment to preserving wild landscapes in Virginia ensures that they remain places where nature thrives, providing secure homes for diverse plant and animal species. By safeguarding these areas, VWC contributes to the overall health of our environment and the well-being of both humans and wildlife.

From the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
Current Conditions 10/3/2024, Updated at 2:42 PM. 
National Forest lands in North Carolina, Tennessee, and southwest Virginia that the A.T. passes through are closed. The states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have declared a state of emergency. The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is closed (the parkway provides A.T. access in several places in central Virginia).

The ATC and National Park Service (NPS) recommends that hikers should postpone their trips to the southern A.T. until further notice (Georgia to Rockfish Gap, VA; NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6). Although not all areas in this section are officially closed, there is still a risk of landslides in many areas, much of the A.T. in the south is inaccessible due to road closures, and emergency responders are at max capacity. There also may be dangers on the Trail from the storm like downed trees, severe erosion, washed out bridges, and swollen creeks and streams. Many devastated towns along the A.T. also have emergency orders in place excluding visitors so they can prioritize recovery.  

The ATC is a private nonprofit and does not have the authority to close sections of the A.T. However, for the reasons above, we are urging hikers to avoid the entire A.T. from Springer Mountain to Rockfish Gap (NOBO miles 0.0 to 864.6), regardless of formal closures.  

Please postpone your A.T. hike until the situation improves and damage can be assessed. 

Update for SOBOs, Flip Floppers, and section hikers: We have received reports that shuttles around Rockfish Gap are booked or unavailable, and that some roads nearby are closed. Hikers heading southbound (SOBO) who are planning to exit the Trail should consider leaving at Front Royal, VA instead (at the northern end of Shenandoah National Park).

Please note that the ATC has received confirmation from federal partners that areas listed as closed in the link below are officially closed. Updates to agency websites may be delayed because agency staff are either themselves in disaster zones or are focused on recovery. 

More updated information can be found at this link:
GA-VA – Hurricane Helene UPDATED 10/3/24 | Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Wednesday, October 16 
Shenandoah Mountain Nature Walk
10 a.m.  - Meet at Confederate Breastworks on Rt. 250.
We will hike along the crest of Shenandoah Mountain, in and out along the Shenandoah Mountain Trail. Easy round trip of four miles. Space limited. 
Click here to Register


Wednesday, November 20 
Shenandoah Mountain Hike
10 a.m. - Meet at Confederate Breastworks on Rt. 250
We will hike along the crest of Shenandoah Mountain, along the Shenandoah Mountain Trail, then follow Jerry's Run Trail into Ramseys Draft Wilderness, to the Sexton Shelter site, then turn around. Round trip of six miles. Space limited.
​Click here to Register

Photos by Steven David Johnson

All are welcome to the VWC Annual Meeting at Braley Pond Recreation Area on the George Washington National Forest on Saturday, August 24 at 10a. 

Attendees are asked to consider and vote on the following proposed amendments and one addition to the VWC By-Laws.  The Board of Directors recommends adoption of these changes. Click here.