Virginia Wilderness Committee

09/04/2026

On Aug. 17, I was pondering the potential subject of my monthly Steppin’ Outside column. The next day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which oversees our U.S. National Forests) announced

09/04/2026

Yes, you read that correctly. In the documentation meant to justify rescinding the Roadless Rule, it states that national forests WITH roadless areas account for 76% of recreational visits.

Want to keep those roadless areas intact?
Comment period ends September 21st. Link in our bio.

Only have two minutes? Sign the petition in the link below.

09/03/2026

Photo taken in Lewis Fork Wilderness, Jefferson National Forest, Smyth and Grayson Counties.

09/03/2026

The Virginia Wilderness Committee has created a citizens petition opposing the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to repeal the “Roadless Area Conservation Rule," which would open 45 million acres on America’s national forest – including 394,000 acres in Virginia – to unneeded road-building, commercial logging, mining and other development.

With just a few clicks, you can add your name to our petition, and your voice will count in the agency’s official public comment docket. ACT TODAY! The comment period closes on September 21.

Link in comments.

09/02/2026

Enter our 2027 Calendar Photo Contest for a chance to be one of three photos featured in the 2027 VWC Calendar!

Contest Rules:
* Open to all skill levels
* Photos must be taken in or be related to federally designated Wilderness or Roadless Areas in Virginia
* Minimum resolution of 300dpi at 3000 pixels on the longest edge                              
* No AI-generated imagery

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/3/d/e/1FAIpQLScza565GxDHIZwprcxzcINlx-HhKBiNr30y7EOZCXNOCttWlA/viewform?usp=dialog

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

Find more information at our website

08/31/2026

“Local control” only works as a substitute for a national protection if the local institution has, and will for in perpetuity have, sufficient capacity, independence, transparency, public input, and accountability to make those decisions well.

Comments on the USDA proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule due September 21 (link in our bio).

08/28/2026

Gum Run Roadless Area, Dry River, Virginia

08/27/2026

“Building roads, even relatively small roads, does create serious habitat fragmentation. Then, you’re impacting a lot of your bigger wildlife that need those large contiguous spaces to survive and really can’t function without them.”

Roadless areas protect wildlife, recreation, clean water, and local economies. Our public lands need your voice.
Speak up and submit your comment using the link in our bio. Public comment closes September 21.

Fritz Hoogakker, Turkey Hunter
Ramseys Draft Roadless Area

Film production by Sam Sheline