Lynn CameronFriends of Shenandoah Mountain

Shenandoah MountainShenandoah MountainCollaborating to Protect Our Natural HeritageCollaborating to Protect Our Natural Heritage

  

Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

Our mission:– to permanently protect the wild heritage of Shenandoah Mountain

 

Our mission:to permanently protect the wild heritage of Shenandoah Mountain

WV

George Washington National Forest

What’s special?

5 Roadless Areas 10 peaks above 4000’ Mature, unfragmented forest

Cold water streams Headwaters of James & Potomac Recreation opportunities

Shenandoah Mountain

Clean Water

Aquatic life• Native brook trout

Municipal water• Harrisonburg• Staunton• Cities and towns

downstream

Elkhorn Lake

Recreation on Shenandoah Mountain

Network of over 150 miles of  trails– Wild Oak National Recreation Trail– Great Eastern Trail

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Building Local Support

Forest StakeholdersA New Model of Cooperation

Timber

Game organizations and managers

Recreation

Wilderness preservation

Joint recommendationJoint recommendation to Forest to Forest Service for new PlanService for new Plan

The GWNF is big enough to achieve a good balance between both goals: 1.1 million acres

Management for game

Protection of core forested areas

Learn MoreLearn Morewww.friendsofshenandoahmountain.orgwww.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org

Stakeholders Agreement

Signatories Additional Endorsements

• Back County Horsemen (VA)• Shenandoah Riverkeeper• SSVC of PATC• VA Native Plant Society• VA Society of Ornithology

Non-signatories Non-signatories who who agree with philosophy and agree with philosophy and concepts of stakeholder concepts of stakeholder processprocess

VDGIFVDGIF Sierra Club – VA ChapterSierra Club – VA Chapter The Wilderness SocietyThe Wilderness Society Southern Environmental Law Southern Environmental Law

CenterCenter

Reaching out to Stakeholders• Timber industry• Game managers (VDGIF)• Game organizations• Recreation organizations• Wilderness advocates • 2010 – 2011

• Meetings • Field trips• Negotiation• Compromise

Staunton

Reddish Knob

Shenandoah Mountain – An Ecological Core

• Build local support– Endorsements from businesses, organizations,

faith groups, landowners, individuals– Collaborating with other forest stakeholders– Endorsements by City and County governments

• Work with Congressman and Senators to write Federal legislation

• Introduction of bill into House or Senate• Bill passes House and Senate• Bill is signed into Law by President

Permanent Protection:Permanent Protection:Making it happen…Making it happen…