More Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest Proposed

The West Virginia Wilderness Coalition is heading a campaign to add more wilderness acreage and areas to the Monongahela National Forest.  The coalition is sponsored by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the Sierra Club West Virginia Chapter, and The Wilderness Society.

Eastern states contain only 4% of the National Wilderness Preservation System, yet are home to 60% of the US population.  West Virginia is below average among eastern states for the amount of acreage and number of areas in wilderness.  Only 0.5% of West Virginia and less than 9% of the Monongahela National Forest are protected as wilderness.

Wilderness offers recreation, a setting for prayer and spiritual strengthening, and significant economic benefits as well.  Eastern wilderness generates $44 per acre as well as another $44 per acre average visitor expenditure into the local communities, boost adjacent property values, and protect watersheds from flooding.

For more information on the campaign and how you can help, contact the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition at www.wvwild.org or write at PO Box 6, Masontown, West Virginia 26542  The telephone number is 304-864-5530