The Downstream Project has been following the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Youth Group as they study environmental stewardship and put our faith into action by actively supporting and advocating for more wilderness area’s in the Monongahela National Forest.
Every spring, our group takes a camping trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. We find the wilderness to be a place of spiritual renewal, spiritual deepening, and spiritual cleansing. It is our belief that God can be encountered in the wilderness in a way that could never be re-created in any other setting.
As a result of this group’s efforts and many others in the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition, the Omnibus Public Lands Act was passed in April of 2009.
Keep the wild in wild and wonderful West Virginia and protect these lands!! The youth of Shepherdstown Presbyterian pray earnestly that this will continue to happen.
Jeff Kelble, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, on the origins of the river/waterkeeper movement and the use of political advocacy to correct the ravages of pollution. Jeff is one of the “voices” on the Voices of the River DVD asking the tough questions about why fish are dying in the Shenandoah River. Also, some closing thoughts and reflections from the participants on what the Shenandoah EcoVenture means to them.
Steve Reeser and Jason Hallacher of Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries demonstrate how they determine fish populations on the south fork of the Shenanadoah.
It’s been 25 days on the trail and the river. It’s raining on and off and promises to pour all night. The team misses a drop point where they’ll meet Pam Patterson for a hot dinner and have to backtrack half a mile.
Days 15 and 16 mark the end of the trail portion of the trip and find our heroes leaving Blackrock Hut for a strenuous 13 mile hike to Calf Mountain shelter. They settle in their tents for a cold night hoping it won’t snow. No such luck. The final hike in Shenandoah National Park is white and wet.
The team will take a two day hiatus at Wintergreen while they gear up for the river. Stay tuned.
Bob Proudman from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy with a campfireside chat about the beginnings of the National Scenic Trail System and the creation and protection of the AT in particular: “How to protect this thread between the emeralds on this necklace that covers 14 states…?”
Comments