Wilderness & Special Areas
Wilderness offers the highest degree of forest protection on our National Forest lands. It is
managed to maintain soil and water quality, ecological stability, plant and animal gene pools, and provide habitat for wildlife and unsurpassed recreational opportunities. Our region has less acres of wilderness than the west but more of the population. SAFC and its member groups seek wilderness and special area designations for all areas that qualify.
To learn more about Wilderness please see our Frequently Asked Questions and visit The Wilderness Society.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Representative ________
I urge you to protect an outstanding natural legacy for future generations by actively supporting the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act, HR 1011, on the House floor. This legislation is co-sponsored by a majority of the VA House delegation and is also co-sponsored by Senators Warner and Webb.
Protecting our region's last wild places is an issue that is very important to me. Our national forests provide habitat for wildlife, wonderful recreational opportunities, and sources of clean water. The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act would protect new wilderness and national scenic areas on the Jefferson National Forest , thus conserving these lands as a natural and recreation legacy.
All of the areas proposed for designation as wilderness or as national scenic areas in the Act are supported by the local county boards of supervisors and/or are recommended for protection by the U.S. Forest Service. The areas are within Rep. Boucher's 9th district, with a small wilderness addition in Natural Resources Committee Chair Rahall's district. Chairman Rahall supports the bill.
The Virginia Ridge and Valley Act has had hearings in the House Natural Resources Committee and Agriculture Committee. I urge you to support the bill as reported and oppose any weakening amendments, if offered.
This legislation is important for everyone in this region, and for all Americans who cherish our nation's forests.
State Wild Coalitions
SAFC & our member organizations are building state WILD Coalitons throughout the Southern Appalachians. These WILD Coalitions work to protected significant natural areas as Wilderness or other special designations such as National Scenic Area, Wild and Scenic River, National Recreation Area and other yet to be developed designations (such as Southern Appalachian Heritage Area).
Virginia
The Ridge and Valley Act of 2007, introduced on February 14th by U.S. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA) and U.S. Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Jim Webb (D-VA), will protect approximately 55,000 acres of Virginia 's Jefferson National Forest . If you live in Virginia, please contact Mark Miller on ways to get involved.
North Carolina
North Carolina businesses, activists and recreation folks are on board for adding places like Harpers Creek and Lost Cove to the Wilderness base. Appalachian Voices is working to educate other North Carolinians on the realities and benefits of Wilderness. Please contact Mat Wasson to learn how to get involved.
Georgia
Georgia Forest Watch, as part of Georgia WILD has helped develop Georgia's Mountain Treasure Proposal and has coordinated to gain the support of nearly 80 local, state and regional organizations. For more information contact GFW or TWS
Alabama
Wild South and The Wilderness Society recently released Alabama's Mountain Treasures, highlighting 24 unprotected wild areas on their public lands. Please contact Vince Meleski for more information.
South Carolina and Tennessee
Update coming soon!