Public Lands Protection
Our public lands program is our oldest and most controversial campaign. The campaign is built around a forest watch program which holds the Forest Service accountable for their management decisions in the National Forest. In 2008, we expanded our public lands program in several directions to increase protection for the forest and to include more members of the public in our work.
In the summer of 2007, we embarked on an ambitious citizen water monitoring project in which the public helps scientists collect data about the effects of land management decisions and in the process, subtly discourages logging on the National Forest. This project gets people out into the woods and lets them see first hand the importance of the forest and the results of poor management decisions.
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Our forests are also facing a new threat as the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid enters our region. This insect is poised to cause the localized extinction of a keystone species --- the hemlock --- in our forests within the next five years. In March of 2008, we held a successful strategy session, drawing together the hemlock woolly adelgid experts from across the region to inform our community and decision-makers about the threat. In March of 2009, the Clinch Coalition in conjunction with Wild South, held a well attended hemlock restoration workshop at Natural Tunnel, which continued our efforts to build momentum by engaging with local politicians, land managers, and the general public to raise awareness of the threat and treatment options.
Finally, we are also concerned about the impact that the proposed Virginia City power plant will have on High Knob since the National Forest is only about fifteen miles from the plant location. During March and April, 2009, we co-sponsored a number of Appalshop documentaries, along with the UVA-Wise Environmental Club, that focused on regional environmental threats. As an organization, we will continue to partner with other organizations to explore opportunities in sustainable economies.
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