Keep Virginia Scenic: Sign The Petition
Make Shenandoah Mountain a National Scenic Area.
Sign the petitionThe creation of Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area would strengthen protections for more than 92,000 acres of public land the George Washington National Forest, which provides some of the most spectacular, uninterrupted views in the Southern Appalachians.
Standing to the west of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, this breathtaking area offers visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including more than 150 miles of trails, ten peaks above 4,000 feet, and some of the state’s best trout-fishing streams. Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area would protect these beautiful landscapes for future generations, while ensuring that hikers, anglers, hunters, mountain bikers, birders and many more outdoor enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the area like they have for generations.
The Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area was developed by a diverse coalition of stakeholders and has broad local support from more than 400 local businesses, organizations, and faith groups, as well as from nearby local governments. This designation will attract tourism dollars to the area, safeguard important rivers and streams, and protect critical wildlife habitat. The proposal also includes four Wilderness Areas, which would have the highest levels of protection public lands can receive and offer a unique experience to visitors in search of solitude.
Sign the petition to help protect Shenandoah Mountain for future generations.
How would local communities benefit?
A gift to the next generation
Friends of Shenandoah Mountain Co-Chair Lynn Cameron talks about her love for “one of the most outstanding natural areas east of the Mississippi River”
Challenging, rewarding, and scenic trails
Avid mountain biker and Friends of Shenandoah Mountain Co-Chair Thomas Jenkins tells us why Shenandoah Mountain’s rugged and iconic biking trails should be protected
What makes the area unique?
The area includes headwaters of both the Potomac and James Rivers.
10 peaks above 4,000 feet.
Virginia’s national forests generate $1.4 billion a year.
https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/water-quality.html
https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/shenandoah-mountain-national-scenic-area.html
A network of more than 150 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Helps make up one of the largest undeveloped landscapes east of the Mississippi River
13 threatened, endangered, and sensitive species.
Endorsed by over 400 local businesses and organizations.
https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/short-hikes.html
https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/trails.html’
https://selc.link/3KPM0n2
https://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/endorsers.html
Sign the petition to protect Shenandoah Mountain
Petition
Shenandoah Mountain is an incredible natural area that provides immense recreational, economic, and environmental benefits. It is very important that we protect the area’s rolling ridges and majestic forests by passing the Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022 to officially create the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic area.
This breathtaking area offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including more than 150 miles of trails, ten peaks above 4,000 feet and some of the state’s best trout-fishing streams. Creating a National Scenic Area will allow people to continue to hunt, hike, fish, mountain bike, and recreate in the area while ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy this exceptional place for generations to come.
Along with its recreation benefits, the designation of Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area will attract more tourism dollars to the area, safeguard important rivers and streams and protect critical wildlife habitats, including habitats for rare and endangered species that are only found in this area.
It is important that Congress designate the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area and extend permanent protections to this exceptional area.
