VWC Newsletter December 2009
IN MEMORIAM - JULIANA SIMPSON 1954-2009
On December 11, 2009, Julie Simpson finished her courageous battle against an aggressive brain tumor and quietly passed away. For almost two decades, Julie served as Treasurer of the VWC, calmly and efficiently managing the resources of the Committee so that the rest of us could concentrate on the grassroots work without distraction.
Although Julie was usually quiet and even self-effacing in her manner, Lynn Cameron recalls the moment at our annual meeting when Julie just could not keep still. The story of her encounter with an Ivory-billed Woodpecker just bubbled out of her, the transcendent experience of her lifetime.
It is typical of her devotion to the wilderness cause and her loyalty to the VWC that Julie directed that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be sent to the VWC to further the work that was so close to her heart. More in the Winchester Star newspaper.
PROGRESS ON THE SHENANDOAH MT. PROPOSAL
The "Friends of Shenandoah Mountain" is off and running on its mission of educating folks about our grand design for Shenandoah Mountain, Laurel Fork, and Kelley Mountain. Endorsements are pouring in from local businesses, faith groups, bikers, and birders, including the National Wildlife Federation and Scenic America. Each endorsement is a coup, a result of patient wooing by Friends and VWC members. Our list of endorsers needs to grow in numbers and diversity in order to become a force recognized by local and national government officials.
Please visit the Friends website to enjoy great photos of the candidates, read the descriptions, and hear video clips from our supporters who believe in the wisdom of protecting these areas. We are working on a variety of materials for the campaign: a new PowerPoint of slides and information, a brochure with maps, photos, and information, and a list of short hikes in these areas for those who want to explore. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Look at the list of endorsers on the Friends website. Are any of the organizations to which you belong missing from the list? Or do you know of local civic groups or clubs that might be interested in hearing about the Shenandoah Mountain Proposal? If so, ask if they will schedule a presentation, and contact Carol Lena Miller or Lynn Cameron to make the arrangements.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Over the last few months, Mark Miller has been working with the Boards of Supervisors of Scott and Wise Counties on plans to protect some of the outstanding rivers in their counties. Both Boards passed resolutions supporting the designation of Roaring Branch as Virginia's first Wild River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. They also recommended Scenic River status for Little Stony Creek and parts of the Guest River, and National Recreation Trail status for the Little Stony Trail and the Devils Fork Trail. Unfortunately the proposed legislation never made it into the Congress. As so often happens in southwest Virginia, concerns over privately held mineral rights led Congressman Boucher to postpone consideration of the legislation pending a review of the NEPA process by the Forest Service staff to determine what effect Wild and Scenic River designation might have on outstanding mineral rights.
THE DOCKERY AWARD
The Southern Environmental Law Center has recognized the work of the VWC by presenting the 2009 James E. Dockery, Jr. Environmental Leadership Award to Jim Murray. Jim accepted the Award on behalf of the many contributors to our success with the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2009.
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Check the date stamp on your label. It shows the date of your latest contribution. Are you up to date? Checks to VWC, 1625 Bentivar Farm Rd. Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Virginia Wilderness Committee: www.vawilderness.org
President: Laura Neale, 423 Sheep Creek Lane, Fairfield, VA 24435 (540-261-1909)
Vice-Pres: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, c/o Jim Murray, 1625 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911
Secretary: Pete Bsumek, 485 W. Bruce St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540-421-4105)
Wilderness Coordinator: Carol Lena Miller, 4939 Ottobine Rd., Dayton, VA 22821 (540-879-2127)
On December 11, 2009, Julie Simpson finished her courageous battle against an aggressive brain tumor and quietly passed away. For almost two decades, Julie served as Treasurer of the VWC, calmly and efficiently managing the resources of the Committee so that the rest of us could concentrate on the grassroots work without distraction.
Although Julie was usually quiet and even self-effacing in her manner, Lynn Cameron recalls the moment at our annual meeting when Julie just could not keep still. The story of her encounter with an Ivory-billed Woodpecker just bubbled out of her, the transcendent experience of her lifetime.
It is typical of her devotion to the wilderness cause and her loyalty to the VWC that Julie directed that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be sent to the VWC to further the work that was so close to her heart. More in the Winchester Star newspaper.
PROGRESS ON THE SHENANDOAH MT. PROPOSAL
The "Friends of Shenandoah Mountain" is off and running on its mission of educating folks about our grand design for Shenandoah Mountain, Laurel Fork, and Kelley Mountain. Endorsements are pouring in from local businesses, faith groups, bikers, and birders, including the National Wildlife Federation and Scenic America. Each endorsement is a coup, a result of patient wooing by Friends and VWC members. Our list of endorsers needs to grow in numbers and diversity in order to become a force recognized by local and national government officials.
Please visit the Friends website to enjoy great photos of the candidates, read the descriptions, and hear video clips from our supporters who believe in the wisdom of protecting these areas. We are working on a variety of materials for the campaign: a new PowerPoint of slides and information, a brochure with maps, photos, and information, and a list of short hikes in these areas for those who want to explore. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Look at the list of endorsers on the Friends website. Are any of the organizations to which you belong missing from the list? Or do you know of local civic groups or clubs that might be interested in hearing about the Shenandoah Mountain Proposal? If so, ask if they will schedule a presentation, and contact Carol Lena Miller or Lynn Cameron to make the arrangements.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Over the last few months, Mark Miller has been working with the Boards of Supervisors of Scott and Wise Counties on plans to protect some of the outstanding rivers in their counties. Both Boards passed resolutions supporting the designation of Roaring Branch as Virginia's first Wild River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. They also recommended Scenic River status for Little Stony Creek and parts of the Guest River, and National Recreation Trail status for the Little Stony Trail and the Devils Fork Trail. Unfortunately the proposed legislation never made it into the Congress. As so often happens in southwest Virginia, concerns over privately held mineral rights led Congressman Boucher to postpone consideration of the legislation pending a review of the NEPA process by the Forest Service staff to determine what effect Wild and Scenic River designation might have on outstanding mineral rights.
THE DOCKERY AWARD
The Southern Environmental Law Center has recognized the work of the VWC by presenting the 2009 James E. Dockery, Jr. Environmental Leadership Award to Jim Murray. Jim accepted the Award on behalf of the many contributors to our success with the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2009.
*************************************
Check the date stamp on your label. It shows the date of your latest contribution. Are you up to date? Checks to VWC, 1625 Bentivar Farm Rd. Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Virginia Wilderness Committee: www.vawilderness.org
President: Laura Neale, 423 Sheep Creek Lane, Fairfield, VA 24435 (540-261-1909)
Vice-Pres: Mark Miller, 62 Big Hill Rd., Lexington, VA 24450 (540-464-3110)
Treasurer: Juliana Simpson, c/o Jim Murray, 1625 Bentivar Farm Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911
Secretary: Pete Bsumek, 485 W. Bruce St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540-421-4105)
Wilderness Coordinator: Carol Lena Miller, 4939 Ottobine Rd., Dayton, VA 22821 (540-879-2127)