By Priscilla Alden Rodd

Early morning on June 5^th, 2000: breaking through the pizza ads of television pop-culture arose a message – a voice of reason. The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy (WVHC) began the what may be the biggest ever environmental television campaign in West Virginia, at a time when the stakes and possibilities are higher than ever. In four major cities around the state a total of 78 commercials were aired, expressing concern for the effect of timbering in the Blackwater Canyon and for Governor Underwood’s lack of leadership in protecting this sacred piece of land. We were able to reach a broader audience than ever before and to get feedback from the public by having our new toll free number (1-877-WVA-LAND) in the ad.

To get more "spin" from the ad campaign, Judy Rodd, Julian Martin, John Taylor, Sandy Fisher and Blacky the endangered northern Virginian flying squirrel held a press conference in the Secretary of State’s office on the 7^th of June. This press conference gave us a forum to discuss the ads and explain how Underwood‘s small gesture on Blackwater Canyon – the purchase of 20 acres of 3,000 acres, in a deal which allows Allegheny Wood Products to put a sewage line to their proposed condo development through Blackwater Falls State Park – does not solve the problem. People need to know that the Canyon is still threatened with development and timbering. The timing of the ads allowed us to counteract the Governor’s hype on Blackwater and keep the spotlight on the work that needs to be done to protect the whole Canyon.

The ads were covered on public radio, the state’s major newspapers, and on statewide talk radio. The governor’s election campaign claimed in a press release that we were trying to get his opponent elected. We were able to explain on the radio and in the print media that election time is the time to raise issues, and that is the purpose of running the ads. The "Charleston Gazette" ran an online poll asking its readers to vote yes or no on the question: "Is Governor Underwood doing a enough to protect the Blackwater Canyon?" Over 1,200 people voted, 75% saying the Governor was not doing a good enough job.

The combination of media events has generated enthusiasm throughout the Mountain State. Within hours of the first television commercials, citizens called the WVHC office seeking information and giving their support. By using TV as a medium we have opened a new chapter for environmental advocacy in West Virginia!

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Judy Rodd hit Washington last weekend with an energy that made us proud. Asked to speak at the Eastern Forest Conference on how the Blackwater Canyon Campaign has been successful so quickly, Judy delivered a speech emphasizing that the Blackwater Campaign is driven by grass-roots interest.

"The main point is our local focus and concern. We did not go national until those concerns were established in our campaign," said Rodd.

Forest activists from California to Maine applauded the speech, which generated much discussion.

Other exciting stories of market campaigns to protect old growth forests were celebrated. Years of pressure recently convinced Home Depot to stop buying old growth wood products, and now businesses like Lowes are scrambling to look as green.

Our fearless, gray-haired leader was teamed up with activists from all over America to learn how to lobby – organized by American Lands. First lesson is you must look respectable (Judy already did – the younger crowd came back the next day with the finest suits the Goodwill has to offer.)

They quickly broke into groups, swarming around the capital, lobbying on forest issues and specifically the Blackwater Canyon. Rodd and her team met with Jim Lyons, assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, boss of Mike Dombeck who heads the USDA Forest Service. Lyons was friendly and sympathetic as were officials in the Department of the Interior.

Rushing from the House to the Senate Office Buildings, Judy "pooh-poohed" the 20-somethings who were trying to slow down for her. She and others then met with staffers of the entire West Virginia Delegation, confirming that Robert Byrd is continuing to support the Canyon study. The meeting with Bob Wise was also good; the team fielded intelligent questions from Mr. Wise, and left him better informed. All in all it was a successful effort in continuing to advocate for the Park and public ownership of Blackwater Canyon.

Another issue raised in the lobby sessions was the need for federal payments in lieu of taxes to be stabilized and paid from a dedicated fund, so that counties with federal land can count on sufficient funding for their roads and schools rather than relying on the whims of timber revenues.

Finally, as a result of the networking in Washington, the Wilderness Society’s mid-Atlantic organizer and the National Wildlife’s regional coordinator are advising the Blackwater Campaign, and American Lands agreed to continue to lobby for our issues. The National Park and Conservation Association, the Wilderness Society, and American Lands agreed to sign a letter in support of the National Park Study of Blackwater Canyon being considered by Congress. So let Judy Rodd be the first to tell you that things are looking good in Washington – so far – and anyone who wants to start lobbying there better get ready to keep up with her on a ten mile hike!