VWC Newsletter - April 2000
Charles Pierce, 1924-2000
Charles Pierce, former president of the Virginia Wilderness Committee, and his wife Ivarean both died on March 1 by their own choice. Charles left quite a legacy in his environmental work, which is detailed by Chris Bolgiano below. A fierce and tireless warrior, he had tremendous political savvy and knew how to be effective. Charles provided wise counsel to many of us who are still trying to learn the ropes. He remained active in environmental issues until Ivarean's failing health in the past year or so required his full-time care. Charles did find time to go to Reddish Knob to hear President Clinton's announcement about the administration's initiative to protect 40 million acres of roadless areas. Charles thoroughly enjoyed this historic occasion. Several VWC members who knew him best have paid tribute to this dedicated defender of the environment. We will miss him.
By Lynn Cameron
Charles Pierce with Chris Bolgiano, Sarah Faulconer, Lynn Cameron,
and Faye Cooper at Reddish Knob in October, 1999
Charles Pierce was elected President of the Virginia Wilderness Committee on June 27, 1987. The next year, Congress added to the Wilderness system four areas in Virginia that had been designated as Wilderness Study Areas in the seminal 1984 VA Wilderness Bill, thereby bringing to fruition several decades of VWC efforts.
Charlie's tenure, therefore, covered a period of transition. With verve and dedication, Charlie worked closely with Ernie Dickerman to lead the VWC through a reorientation phase in which goals and strategies were formulated for a new wilderness campaign.
Charlie also pressed strongly forward with VWC opposition to the heavy emphasis on timbering and road-building in the George Washington National Forest's first land use plan, which was ultimately dismissed as inadequate by Forest Service administrators. He worked tenaciously against ATVs in the national forest, viewing first hand the damage they did in Lee District. He wrote hard-hitting editorials in the VWC newsletter that reflected his solid grounding in the research and literature of conservation, as well as his thoughtful approach. Even after he retired from the presidency in June of 1990 to be succeeded by Sarah Faulconer, Charlie continued to write for the VWC newsletter, and served from July 1994 to July 1997 as VWC Secretary. He became especially interested in air pollution and its threats to forest ecosystems, and was a leader in the successful battle to keep Cardinal Glass, with its smokestack emissions, from locating near Winchester.
With his natural abilities as a researcher and writer, his experience and training in journalism, and his unwavering commitment to the values of wild country, Charles Pierce was a force to be reckoned with. The VWC benefited greatly from his leadership. His contributions, and his energizing presence, will be sadly missed.
By Chris Bolgiano
I met Charles and Ivarean probably twenty years ago and we have often been "in the trenches" fighting various and sundry conservation battles. One hallmark of their characters was integrity and one could always rely on them. No environmental concern was too small or too large for their attention.
They were excellent birders and every late summer and early fall Ivarean spent some time at Dolly Sods, West Virginia, observing bird migrations. They were faithful members of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon Society, an organization which Charlie also served as president. Ivarean, too, was a long-time VWC member.
As perceptive people, they were able to identify some of the important concerns of this life. Nurturing, protecting, and restoring (in so far as possible) the natural world ranked high on their lists and they spent much time in those endeavors. Their over-riding concern of the past few years was the destruction of their beloved Frederick County by unwise, uncontrolled development and the introduction into the county of polluting and environmentally degrading industries. Charlie, in particular, was aghast at the wanton timber cutting in the George National National Forest, with its attendant roadbuilding, erosion, and destruction of choice species. He was equally interested in the management of our national parks, with special attention to the Shenandoah National Park. His devotion to wilderness areas in the national forest was always in the forefront of his concerns and he made many contacts with our legislators in the cause of wilderness establishment and preservation.
The legacy of these two "comrades in arms" is tremendous. We ask ourselves, "What would they want us to do?" Without a doubt, they would want us to keep on meeting, petitioning, commenting, educating and badgering legislators until preservation and wise use of our natural world becomes the norm. We miss them very much but cherish every association we have had with these two fine people.
By Sarah Faulconer
Though I didn't know him well, Charles was one of those individuals who created a lasting positive impression. Our first association was through a "working group" of individuals who met periodically to address issues related to the Shenandoah National Park. It was clear from our first meeting that not only was Charles a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the Park and its resources, but that he also had a proactive and highly effective style that got things done. Additional encounters over the last fifteen years through the Virginia Wilderness Committee and Audubon Society reinforced my admiration for this man with vision and a deep-rooted conservation ethic.
The news of Charles' demise was a numbing shock and was especially poignant coming not long after the death of another beloved conservationist, Ernie Dickerman. But rather than ask 'why' of this untimely loss which is something perhaps none of us will ever fully understand, we can feel blessed and thankful for having known someone of Charles' caliber - someone who lived his life with grace and who contributed in countless ways to safeguarding our natural world.
By Faye Cooper
Charles was a journalist by profession. By the early 1980s, he was working in Public Relations for EPA. However, he retired from EPA in 1984 in protest against the environmental policies of the Reagan administration. He and Ivarean then moved to our area and became energetic members of our environmental and senior organizations. Charles and Ivarean led bird walks for Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon. I still remember one on which, using flashlights, we tip-toed through the wet tunnel of the C&O Canal in PawPaw, West Virginia. Charles was always active in any movement or cause whose mission it was to protect the beauty and environment of our Great Valley.
It was characteristic of Charles and Ivarean that they lived simply with their dogs in a small, plain house in a secluded wooded area the beautiful Apple Pie Ridge northwest of Winchester. There, among their trees, they enjoyed their solitude and their bird friends away from the sights and sounds of the world, which is too much with most of us. It was there that they left us. We will miss them greatly.
By Sam Patten
Officers: PRESIDENT: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901 (804) 973-6693
VICE PRES: Chris Bolgiano, 10375 Genoa Rd., Fulks Run, VA 22830 (540) 896-4407
TREASURER: Juliana Simpson, 11 E Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-7043
SECRETARY: Lynn Cameron, 5653 Beards Ford Rd., Mt. Crawford, VA 22841 (540) 234-6273
Charles Pierce, former president of the Virginia Wilderness Committee, and his wife Ivarean both died on March 1 by their own choice. Charles left quite a legacy in his environmental work, which is detailed by Chris Bolgiano below. A fierce and tireless warrior, he had tremendous political savvy and knew how to be effective. Charles provided wise counsel to many of us who are still trying to learn the ropes. He remained active in environmental issues until Ivarean's failing health in the past year or so required his full-time care. Charles did find time to go to Reddish Knob to hear President Clinton's announcement about the administration's initiative to protect 40 million acres of roadless areas. Charles thoroughly enjoyed this historic occasion. Several VWC members who knew him best have paid tribute to this dedicated defender of the environment. We will miss him.
By Lynn Cameron
Charles Pierce with Chris Bolgiano, Sarah Faulconer, Lynn Cameron,
and Faye Cooper at Reddish Knob in October, 1999
Charles Pierce was elected President of the Virginia Wilderness Committee on June 27, 1987. The next year, Congress added to the Wilderness system four areas in Virginia that had been designated as Wilderness Study Areas in the seminal 1984 VA Wilderness Bill, thereby bringing to fruition several decades of VWC efforts.
Charlie's tenure, therefore, covered a period of transition. With verve and dedication, Charlie worked closely with Ernie Dickerman to lead the VWC through a reorientation phase in which goals and strategies were formulated for a new wilderness campaign.
Charlie also pressed strongly forward with VWC opposition to the heavy emphasis on timbering and road-building in the George Washington National Forest's first land use plan, which was ultimately dismissed as inadequate by Forest Service administrators. He worked tenaciously against ATVs in the national forest, viewing first hand the damage they did in Lee District. He wrote hard-hitting editorials in the VWC newsletter that reflected his solid grounding in the research and literature of conservation, as well as his thoughtful approach. Even after he retired from the presidency in June of 1990 to be succeeded by Sarah Faulconer, Charlie continued to write for the VWC newsletter, and served from July 1994 to July 1997 as VWC Secretary. He became especially interested in air pollution and its threats to forest ecosystems, and was a leader in the successful battle to keep Cardinal Glass, with its smokestack emissions, from locating near Winchester.
With his natural abilities as a researcher and writer, his experience and training in journalism, and his unwavering commitment to the values of wild country, Charles Pierce was a force to be reckoned with. The VWC benefited greatly from his leadership. His contributions, and his energizing presence, will be sadly missed.
By Chris Bolgiano
I met Charles and Ivarean probably twenty years ago and we have often been "in the trenches" fighting various and sundry conservation battles. One hallmark of their characters was integrity and one could always rely on them. No environmental concern was too small or too large for their attention.
They were excellent birders and every late summer and early fall Ivarean spent some time at Dolly Sods, West Virginia, observing bird migrations. They were faithful members of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon Society, an organization which Charlie also served as president. Ivarean, too, was a long-time VWC member.
As perceptive people, they were able to identify some of the important concerns of this life. Nurturing, protecting, and restoring (in so far as possible) the natural world ranked high on their lists and they spent much time in those endeavors. Their over-riding concern of the past few years was the destruction of their beloved Frederick County by unwise, uncontrolled development and the introduction into the county of polluting and environmentally degrading industries. Charlie, in particular, was aghast at the wanton timber cutting in the George National National Forest, with its attendant roadbuilding, erosion, and destruction of choice species. He was equally interested in the management of our national parks, with special attention to the Shenandoah National Park. His devotion to wilderness areas in the national forest was always in the forefront of his concerns and he made many contacts with our legislators in the cause of wilderness establishment and preservation.
The legacy of these two "comrades in arms" is tremendous. We ask ourselves, "What would they want us to do?" Without a doubt, they would want us to keep on meeting, petitioning, commenting, educating and badgering legislators until preservation and wise use of our natural world becomes the norm. We miss them very much but cherish every association we have had with these two fine people.
By Sarah Faulconer
Though I didn't know him well, Charles was one of those individuals who created a lasting positive impression. Our first association was through a "working group" of individuals who met periodically to address issues related to the Shenandoah National Park. It was clear from our first meeting that not only was Charles a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the Park and its resources, but that he also had a proactive and highly effective style that got things done. Additional encounters over the last fifteen years through the Virginia Wilderness Committee and Audubon Society reinforced my admiration for this man with vision and a deep-rooted conservation ethic.
The news of Charles' demise was a numbing shock and was especially poignant coming not long after the death of another beloved conservationist, Ernie Dickerman. But rather than ask 'why' of this untimely loss which is something perhaps none of us will ever fully understand, we can feel blessed and thankful for having known someone of Charles' caliber - someone who lived his life with grace and who contributed in countless ways to safeguarding our natural world.
By Faye Cooper
Charles was a journalist by profession. By the early 1980s, he was working in Public Relations for EPA. However, he retired from EPA in 1984 in protest against the environmental policies of the Reagan administration. He and Ivarean then moved to our area and became energetic members of our environmental and senior organizations. Charles and Ivarean led bird walks for Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon. I still remember one on which, using flashlights, we tip-toed through the wet tunnel of the C&O Canal in PawPaw, West Virginia. Charles was always active in any movement or cause whose mission it was to protect the beauty and environment of our Great Valley.
It was characteristic of Charles and Ivarean that they lived simply with their dogs in a small, plain house in a secluded wooded area the beautiful Apple Pie Ridge northwest of Winchester. There, among their trees, they enjoyed their solitude and their bird friends away from the sights and sounds of the world, which is too much with most of us. It was there that they left us. We will miss them greatly.
By Sam Patten
Officers: PRESIDENT: Jim Murray, 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901 (804) 973-6693
VICE PRES: Chris Bolgiano, 10375 Genoa Rd., Fulks Run, VA 22830 (540) 896-4407
TREASURER: Juliana Simpson, 11 E Monmouth, Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-7043
SECRETARY: Lynn Cameron, 5653 Beards Ford Rd., Mt. Crawford, VA 22841 (540) 234-6273