In the pursuit of Wilderness preservation, and in conjunction with principles under the 1964 US Congressional Wilderness Act, Save Linville Gorge Wilderness (SaveLGW) began as a grassroots group of volunteers working for the prohibition of "prescribed" burning of the Linville Gorge Wilderness, and to prevent significant human impact on the Wilderness character of the Gorge. This plan was initiated
by the U.S. Forest Service 2011 Grandfather Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Proposal (CFLRP) and would have burned the Linville Gorge extensively 2 to 3 times by dropping incendiary devices from helicopters. Lobbying and protests in 2012 and 2013 to stop the USFS plan eventually caused the end of the proposal in January 2014. Strong public opposition and the lack of a substantive basis for the proposal were effective, and the SaveLGW work to organize provided substantial petitioning, research and comments that lead to the end of the plan. Following the end of the US Forest Service CFLRP plan to burn the Linville Gorge Wilderness, the US Forest Service initiated the 15 Year Pisgah-Natahala Forest Management Plan Revision. The Pisgah-Natahala Management Plan is the guiding document or strategic plan for management of the National Forest, and one that includes the use of "prescribed" burning. SaveLGW again spearheaded efforts to remove management plans to use "prescribed" burns on Wilderness. While the management plan revision has not yet been completed (expected in the later part of 2015), "prescribed" burning of Wilderness has been removed from consideration. During Save Linville Gorge Wilderness efforts to halt the burning of the Linville Gorge Wildernes, it applied and was accpted as a chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League in May, 2013. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is a regional, community-based, non-profit environmental organization established in 1984. Our founding principles are earth stewardship, environmental democracy, social justice, and community empowerment. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) believes in the practice of earth stewardship, not only by league members, but by our government and the public as well. To foster stewardship, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League encourages governmental and citizen responsibility in conserving and protecting our natural resources. BREDL advocates grassroots involvement to empower whole communities in environmental issues. BREDL functions as a "watchdog" of the environment, monitoring issues and holding government officials accountable for their actions. BREDL networks with citizen groups and agencies, collecting and disseminating accurate and timely information. BREDL sets standards for environmental quality and awards individuals and agencies who uphold these standards in practice. SaveLGW is continuing its grassroots environmental activities with a mission to defend Wilderness principles for the Linville Gorge, and include environmentally sound forest management in the surrounding Pisgah Forest.
