​Seventy years ago, torrential rains on Shenandoah Mountain put 80 4-H campers at risk, wiped out the community of Stokesville, and left productive farms along the North River in ruins.  Some families lost everything they had.  Yet, neighbors and communities banded together to help each other. 

Many of the families that experienced the flood have passed stories down from one generation to another.  These stories are about devastation and loss, but also about acts of heroism and kindness.

This program will feature two speakers, followed by local flood survivors sharing their stories.
Speakers:

• Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV Chief Meteorologist
• Lynn Cameron, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

When: Wed., Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where:  Sangerville Towers Ruritan Hall, 38 Emmanuel Church Rd, Mt Solon, VA 22843

Refreshments will be served.

Free and open to the public.
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Sponsored by Sangerville Towers Ruritan Club and Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

Read "The Battle for Shenandoah Mountain" by Andrew Jenner in Blue Ridge Outdoors, September 2019. 
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This article on the backstory for the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area Proposal gets deep into the weeds about how it all got started, the ongoing collaboration, and what else still needs to happen.
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Link to the article.

Please join us as we view photos and hear stories about the torrential rains on Shenandoah Mountain that caused historic flooding along the North River all the way downstream to Bridgewater.

Speakers:

• Nancy Sorrells, Augusta County Historical Society
• Lynn Cameron, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

​When: Wed., Sept. 11 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Where:  Bridgewater Presbyterian Church, 110 E. College St., Bridgewater, VA 22812

Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Sponsored by Bridgewater Historical Society and Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

Note:  If you can't make it to the program, see photos and read about the Flood of 1949 on the Friends of Shenandoah Mountain web site.

The July 20 Butterfly Walk at Hone Quarry Reservoir, led by John and Jeannie Holden, was such a hit in terms of the number and different species of butterflies that we want to share  photos with all those who were unable to attend. 

Many thanks to all the photographers who allowed us to use their photos!

Please join us on a virtual butterfly walk at Hone Quarry!

Please join us on Sunday, August 25 at 10 a.m. for a look at the butterflies of the high ridges of Shenandoah Mountain.  We will be looking at species that are found in this high mountain environment and some species, including Monarchs, likely to be migrating through. 

The trip will led by John Holden, Virginia Master Naturalist, and Jeannie Holden, photographer .

Learn more and register.

Augusta County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution of support for the 90,000-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (SMNSA) at its regular monthly meeting on June 26.  Augusta County has more acreage in the proposal than any other county and is the first county to endorse the proposal.  

Federal designation of the SMNSA would offer many benefits to Augusta County, including permanent protection of 

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

The SMNSA proposal also extends into Rockingham and Highland Counties.  Support from local governments is crucial to eventual introduction of federal legislation.  Augusta's endorsement is a big step forward for our campaign.

In addition to reaching out to local governments, FOSM continues to be an active member of the GWNF Stakeholder Collaborative.  The Collaborative supports federal designation of the SMNSA along with more active management, such as cutting timber, in appropriate areas across the GWNF.  

We thank Augusta County for their support and will continue to work with other local governments.

​Explore the rich variety of butterflies at Hone Quarry with Master Naturalist John Holden and photographer Jeannie Holden. We will begin at Hone Quarry Reservoir.

This will be a patient, slow paced “walk“ and a group effort to find species in mixed habitats.
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Registration required.  Children are welcome.

 Learn more and sign up.​​​

Our annual spring wildflower walks will be held on Saturday, April 27.  These walks are a great opportunity to explore the beauty of Shenandoah Mountain and find a variety of wildflowers.  Each hike will have a wildflower expert to help identify flowers.
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Choose from four walks:

• Hone Quarry​​ - 4 miles. Hike to a waterfall and see wildflowers along the way.
• North River Campground - <1 mile in the morning
• North River Campground - <1 mile in the afternoon
• North River Gorge - 2 miles

Be sure to bring your camera!

Learn details and register to attend.

Cosponsored by Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Headwaters Master Naturalists

We now have a video of this program available online:

Flood of 1949 Program
Verona Government Center
Nov. 19, 2018
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Augusta County Historical Society

Unfortunately, the camera card filled up just as Aubrey Urbanowitz began her presentation on the weather event, but viewers can still enjoy over 70 minutes of the program

Many thanks to Richard Adams for recording this event.  We are glad to have a lasting record of this wonderful event.
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Enjoy!