We are pleased to announce that the Harrisonburg City Council unanimously passed a resolution of support for the 90,000-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area proposal at its regular meeting on March 23.  The proposal would provide the strongest protection as a federally-designated Wilderness for Skidmore Fork, the pristine watershed that feeds Switzer Reservoir, ensuring clean water for generations to come.. 

​The National Scenic Area proposal would also protect the scenic beauty and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that City residents and visitors to the area enjoy.

Support from local governments is crucial to introduction of federal legislation to designate the Shenandoah Mountain area.  By passing a resolution of support, Harrisonburg joins Rockingham County, Augusta County, and the City of Staunton in officially voicing support.

Please come and enjoy visiting one or more Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail sites on Shenandoah Mountain on Saturday, May 8.  We are going to be witnessing the tremendous biodiversity on Shenandoah Mountain, with a particular focus on birds and flowers.  

Learn more details. 

No registration. 

Event will be held in light rain or shine.

This family-friendly, Covid-safe event is hosted by Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Headwaters Master Naturalists.

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution of support for the 90,000-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (SMNSA) proposal by a unanimous vote on March 10.  
Federal designation of the SMNSA would offer many benefits to Rockingham County, including permanent protection of

• high quality water resources;
• outdoor recreation opportunities;
• outstanding wildlife habitat;
• scenic beauty; and
• support for the local tourism economy.

Support from local governments is crucial to eventual introduction of federal legislation.  Rockingham County's resolution of support is an important milstone for our campaign.
​
We extend our deepest appreciation to Rockingham County for its support.

Photo:  Crest of Shenandoah Mountain in Rockingham County.  Photo © Brad Striebig

Listen to a 1-hour Virginia Outdoor Adventures Podcast featuring Friends of Shenandoah Mountain Co-Chair Lynn Cameron.  Lynn talks about outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities and gives an update on our campaign to designate Shenandoah Mountain as a National Scenic Area.

This episode is available on:
Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3hmZj1f
Spotify https://spoti.fi/3hecFwG
Google Podcasts https://cutt.ly/5hMj0gy
Podcast Addict https://cutt.ly/YhMkxGZ
Stitcher https://cutt.ly/shMj9BG
TuneIn https://bit.ly/3ncznHa
and wherever podcasts are available.​

Lou Henry Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover, helped her good friend May Flather start a Nation's Capital Girl Scout Camp in the new Shenandoah National Forest in 1930.  Located in the lower North River Gorge near Stokesville, it was known as Camp May Flather, a "Mountain Camp for Girl Scouts". Now in it's 91st year, the camp is still used by DC Girl Scouts today.

Read local historian Nancy Sorrells' account: 

                                 First Lady helped create camp for Girl Scouts

In addition to Nancy Sorrells' story, view photos of Girl Scouts learning new skills and enjoying nature at Camp May Flather, courtesy of the Alan Cramer Collection and George Washington National Forest North River Ranger District files.


Read more from our our series on Exploring Shenandoah Mountain's History:

• History of Sexton Shelter
• Overview of the History of Shenandoah Mountain
• History of Staunton Dam
• History of High Knob Fire Tower
• Flood of 1949 - 4-H Campers and Girl Scouts in the National Forest

Deep within Ramseys Draft Wilderness along Jerry's Run are the remains of a Potomac Appalachian Trail Club shelter.  Tom Engle of Middlebrook has written a story about the fascinating history of Sexton Shelter and its many lives.

History of Sexton Shelter by Tom Engle

This article is a welcome addition our series on the history of Shenandoah Mountain.

Read more:

• Overview of the History of Shenandoah Mountain
• History of Staunton Dam
• History of High Knob Fire Tower
• Flood of 1949​

2020 began with our campaign making significant progress until Covid-19 put everything on hold.   Earlier this year, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain made presentations about our National Scenic Area proposal to Highland Chamber of Commerce, Highland Tourism Council, Bolar Ruritans (Highland County), Stonewall Ruritans (McDowell), Harrisonburg Rotary, and Massanutten-Rockingham Rotary.  We received new endorsements from the Highland Chamber of Commerce, the Highland Tourism Council, Bolar Ruritan Club, High’s Restaurant, Riven Rock Farm near Monterey, and Catalbe Farm in Headwaters.  We also reached out to neighboring landowners in Highland and found solid support among those we talked to. 
We had many more presentations and outreach activities scheduled, but due to Covid, we postponed them until it’s safe to gather in groups again.

Here’s where our Shenandoah Mountain campaign stands now:

• Over 400 endorsements from businesses and organizations
• Resolutions of support for our proposal passed by Staunton and Augusta County
• Draft resolutions under consideration by Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
• Resolution drafted for Highland County, but not yet presented to the Board of Supervisors

Local governments have many difficult decisions to make now, but when conditions permit, we will continue to pursue resolutions from Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and Highland County. 
Covid-19 may have slowed our momentum, but it has not weakened our resolve to permanently protect the Shenandoah Mountain area for the benefit of future generations.

Blue Ridge County Magazine provided an update on our campaign in its June 2020 issue:
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https://blueridgecountry.com/departments/country-roads/friends-group-seeks-to-protect-90000-acres-of-national-forest/

Photo of view of Highland County from Confederate Breastworks by Han Park.

The Staunton City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution of support for the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (SMNSA) at its Jan. 23 meeting.  The resolution reaffirms the City's desire to include Staunton Dam, Elkhorn Lake, and surrounding National Forest land in the SMNSA, provided the City can "access, operate, maintain, replace and improve its existing water facilities in the proposed scenic area and, if necessary, to construct and maintain new water infrastructure." 

Staunton stands to benefit from permanent protection of the Shenandoah Mountain area.  ​National Scenic Area 

designation will safeguard the City's water supply and protect outdoor recreation opportunities, scenic beauty, and wildlife habitat.   All this contributes to a high quality of life for City residents and helps draw visitors that support the tourism industry in Staunton and in neighboring counties and cities.

SMNSA legislation will make this special area off limits to fracking for natural gas and other industrial development that would mar the natural character of the area and threaten water resources.