Virginia Wilderness Committee
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Work with GWNF Stakeholders

Picture
GWNF Stakeholders gathered around the table trying to reach consensus. Photo by Marek Smith
Since fall of 2010, Virginia Wilderness Committee has been participating in the GWNF Stakeholder Group, a diverse group working hard to reach consensus about some typically divisive issues of forest management in the George Washington National Forest.  Led by Virginia Wilderness Committee, The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Forestry Association, and Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, the group includes interests from conservation, wildlife, hunting and fishing, timber, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

After many meetings and field trips, the Stakeholder Group has reached agreement to support several legislative designations in the GWNF; the protection of any core wild area will be accompanied by improvement of early succession habitat through timber harvest and burning.  This collaboration is a win-win for all.  

The Stakeholder Agreement supports:
  • Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area with embedded wilderness areas: 
                  - Skidmore Fork Wilderness Area
                  - Little River Wilderness Area
                  - Bald Ridge Addition to Ramsey's Draft Wilderness Area
                   - Lynn Hollow Wilderness Area
  • Beech Lick Knob Wilderness Area
  • Wilderness additions for Rich Hole, Rough Mountain, Three Ridges, and St. Mary's

The following proposals have been identified by the Stakeholder Group as possible areas for future collaboration:
  • Jerkemtight Wilderness Area
  • Little Allegheny Mountain Wilderness Area
  • Big Schloss National Scenic Area and Three High Heads Wilderness Area
  • Northern Massanutten National Recreation Area
  • Kelley Mountain National Scenic Area
The Stakeholder Group agreed to disagree on Laurel Fork Wilderness Area and Three Sisters Wilderness Area.  VWC will continue to advocate for Wilderness designation for these two areas.

VWC looks forward to working with the Stakeholder Group to plan projects on the George Washington National Forest that include:
  • a recommendation for legislative protection of a core wild area
  • improvement in wildlife habitat by harvesting timber
  • recreational enhancements

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VWC is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization.  Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law


© Virginia Wilderness Committee, 2013

Contact us:
Virginia Wilderness Committee
info@vawilderness.org
P.O. Box 1235
​
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 464-1661