Hiking Dolly Sods North - Jonathan Jessup ©

May 4, 2007

ACTION ALERT:
Tell Gov. Manchin to "Take a Walk on the Wild Side"

Please call Gov. Joe Manchin Toll-Free at (888) 438-2731 and ask him to support Wilderness designations on the Monongahela National Forest!

What does the Governor have to do with passing Federal legislation to protect National Forest lands?  PLENTY!!! Even though Wilderness protection happens at the Federal level, the Governor’s position may influence what the legislation will look like. We need more support from Gov. Manchin to get the best Wilderness legislation possible. 

People Love Wilderness, Wildlife Loves Wilderness

Gov. Manchin needs to take a closer look and come to a more balanced understanding on the values of Wilderness designation. Not only for the many ways Wilderness benefits our economy, but also for how Wilderness benefits wildlife through the protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. Currently, he supports designation for only a tiny fraction of lands that qualify for wilderness protection.

We need to let Gov. Manchin know that West Virginians want wild places on the Mon protected as wilderness and that he should support this. A phone call from you will make a big difference. 

Gov. Joe Manchin’s Office | (888) 438-2731  

When you call, please tell the receptionist that protecting our wild places is important to you. Mention that:
  • You want the Governor to support wilderness designation for all areas that qualify on the Monongahela National Forest including places like Seneca Creek, East Fork of Greenbrier, Big Draft, Spice Run and others recommended by the US Forest Service.

  • Wilderness designation is the best way to protect habitat for animals and plants that need undisturbed forest land to survive.

  • Wilderness areas protect watersheds which are vital for municipal water supplies, flood control, and trout habitat.

  • Wilderness areas such as Dolly Sods and Cranberry are major tourist attractions and help communities develop tourism-centered economies.

BACKGROUND:

Ecological principles are similar in many ways to economic principles.  Ecosystems, like economies, allocate resources based on the law of supply and demand.  This basic principle tells us that the scarcest resources are the most valuable.  What's more scarce in West Virginia than an old-growth forest?  It is the unfragmented, undisturbed, roadless wild places of our state that are the most rare.  Both ecologically and economically, these areas are our most valuable.  And even more importantly, as the nation's population grows, and more lands are developed and "managed," these wild areas will become even scarcer and their economic and ecologic value will soar!

We need to tell the Governor that the Monongahela National Forest would best serve the people of West Virginia by providing for our economy and our ecology, those things that the private sector cannot provide.  Wilderness protection for the large tracts of roadless areas on the Mon can provide us the diversity of economic opportunities and wildlife habitats that can sustain our economy and our people, over time. 

~~~

Welcome Dave Saville As Our New
Campaign Coordinator

The West Virginia Wilderness Coalition was lucky enough to hire Dave Saville as its new campaign coordinator in April. Many know Dave through his years of working to protect West Virginia's environment. He is one of the founders of the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition and has been a ‘committed to the core’ volunteer and steering committee member. Dave has a B.S. in agriculture (resource economics) and an M.S. in forestry (wilderness management), both from West Virginia University. His career has included working as a researcher in the biology department at Wheeling Jesuit University as well as doing preserve and wilderness management work for The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Forest Service, before serving nine years as administrator for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, one of the coalition's core members.

Dave brings a wealth of experience in organizing, working with the media, lobbying, event planning and outings leading, among other things. He also brings expertise in public lands management policy and ecology. For many years, Dave has been the go-to guy on "Mon" forest issues, and will now be shifting his attention full time within our efforts to have introduced and passed the first West Virginia Wilderness bill in over 20 years!

Businesses for Wilderness

Over 125 businesses across the state have endorsed the work of the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition, most recently:

Your Network: Know a business owner who'd be interested in adding their name to our list of business endorsers? Click here or contact us.

In the News

Read Marilyn Cooper's Charleston Gazette Opinion Piece (April 22): "Protect Wilderness for Business' Sake: Artists See Customers, as Well as Inspiration, in State's Natural Beauty"
www.wvwild.org

4TH ANNUAL
WILDERNESS WORKSHOP

Join us Atop Spruce Knob,
West Virginia's Highest Point

When: June 29 - July 1, 2007

Where: The Mountain Institute

Why? You'll see some of the state's most beautiful landscapes and learn how to help protect some of the most special natural environments within the Monongahela National Forest.

The West Virginia Wilderness Coalition cordially invites you to join us for a weekend of learning, strategy and fun. Volunteers continue to play a major role in the citizens' wilderness campaign. As bill introduction nears in Congress, your involvement will make a signficant difference.

We’ll be gathering atop Spruce Mountain on the campus of the Mountain Institute for workshops on grassroots organizing, how to work with the media, and wilderness campaign strategy sessions. This year, we’ll also be conducting an outings leader training program for those of you who’d like to help others experience first-hand some of our most special wild places. We'll be getting out into the woods some too, developing a deeper sense of appreciation as we learn from each other about why it is important to protect these places. This will be an excellent opportunity to get plugged into the campaign and help make an impact on its ultimate success.

Contact: Dave Saville (304) 284-9548, daves@labyrinth.net, or register online.


Check Out Our New Poster!

Look for the below postor to be displayed at locations of our business endorsers. Contact us if you know business owners who'd be interested in displaying it.
  Page Design by Jason Keeling