trees — namely the oaks — through clearcutting . The oaks , which are fire and drought tolerant have greatly decreased and the loss reverberates through the entire ecosystem . More than 200 species of organisms depend on oaks at some point in the life cycles , for food , shelter , and shade . Today , clear cutting is not the threat . Climate change and development are .
In November 2018 , the U . S . Global Change Research Program ( USGCRP ) released the fourth “ National Climate Assessment Report .” It contains some scary stuff about the potential for drastic changes in the way the Blue Ridge and other mountain forests will look and function over the coming decades .
As the earth warms , due to increases of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases , drought will increase , leading to larger , more intense fires and outbreaks of tree-damaging insects . Climate change will also lead to more extreme storms and an increase in rain and flooding , resulting in runoff , stream pollution , and a decrease in water quality .
Development is another threat to the mountains . In the process not only are the mountains threatened , but thousands of acres of exceedingly rich farmland that families have worked for generations are turning into data centers and cul-de-sacs .
The unique cultural , historical , environmental heritage of western Loudoun County and the Blue Ridge Mountains are fragile . Fragile is not the adjective one would typically apply to mountains but it is probably one of the most appropriate and descriptive adjectives .
About 15 years ago , several environmentally conscious , long-time residents of western Loudoun started to worry about the rapid changes in the mountain environment . They began to think that maybe the Blue Ridge needed friends . In late 2006 , a small group of people gathered at the Purcellville Train Station to explore the idea of an organization dedicated to protecting the Blue Ridge – becoming the friends that the mountains need .
The Blue Ridge Mountains extends 600-plus miles from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland , West Virginia , Virginia , North and South Carolina , Tennessee , and Georgia . The group gathering at the Purcellville Train Station that December afternoon recognized the entire range as an invaluable natural resource for the entire world . However , in order to be most effective , they decided to focus on the portion of the mountain range that is not protected by federal , state , or local parks or forests — the six-county area from the Virginia / Maryland border to the Shenandoah National Park — Loudoun , Clarke , Frederick , Warren , Fauquier , and Shenandoah counties in Virginia .
This small founding group was inspired by a white paper written by Lella Smith , an historian and writer who grew up in her family ’ s mountain homestead ( Oak Grove ) on Sunny Ridge . Her paper evoked memories of gypsies wandering through the mountains in what is now Loudoun and Clarke counties with their mules , horses , and painted wagons . She reminded her readers of the historically significant Civil War battles and skirmishes fought in this area and throughout the Virginia Blue Ridge .
Lella strenuously argued for the need to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural , historical , ecological , and recreational features of the mountains she had grown up on and come to treasure .
Another prominent participant in that December meeting was Dr . Dorothy Jane Pratt . Dr . Pratt , known as Jane , spent more than 35 years in the field of global and domestic sustainable , equitable development and environmental stewardship . Al Van Huyck , a leader in many Loudoun County conservation and environmental preservation activities , was a third prominent member of the initial gathering .
Soon this little nucleus of concerned citizens attracted other adherents to the concept that the Blue Ridge Mountains , particularly in the Northern Virginia Counties , are fragile and under threat from both climate changes and population growth . By 2007 this informal talking group had decided that the best way to do something to preserve the natural , historical and culture gem around which they all lived was to form an actual , legal organization with bylaws , structured meetings , officers , and , most importantly , members . With a little reflection the name for this new organization was obvious : Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains .
Legally incorporated as a 501 ( c )( 3 ) organization , Friends undertook the process of articulating its mission , creating a powerful vision , and setting up governance in the form of a Board of Directors and adopting its first bylaws which were adopted September 17 , 2007 ,
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