Webinar Recording: “Got Mud? Tackling Mud and Erosion on Equestrian Trails”

ELCR.org

Recorded on: August 31, 2023

Mud and erosion are common issues encountered on equestrian trails. This webinar presented by ELCR, in cooperation with our conservation partner American Trails, as part of their Advancing Trails webinar series, addresses some of the challenges caused by mud and erosion by focusing on effective construction techniques, recommended products, and best management practices for trail planning, construction, and maintenance.

Presenters include:

Jan Hancock, Principal, Hancock Resources LLC
Holley Groshek, Executive Director, Equine Land Conservation Resource
Clay Nelson, Owner, Sustainable Stables
Matthew Woodson, Owner/Founder, Okanogan Trail Construction

To view this webinar see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55WuHuq0A-w

California: Equestrians have been using this SLO County trail for decades. Why are they suddenly banned?

SanLuisObispo.com - Full Article Travis Gibson tgibson@thetribunenews.com photo

By John Lindt Sierra2thesea.net
Updated June 28, 2023 12:48 PM

The Los Osos Community Advisory Council has unanimously backed historical use by equestrians to the east-west trail system at the edge of the Morro Dunes Ecological Preserve. The preserve is just south of Highland in Los Osos near Broderson Avenue, which becomes a walking trail as it climbs into the preserve. LOCAC members were advised of the issue last week with a presentation by former Cayucos science teacher Lisa Shinn, representing the local equestrian community and stables. Riders use the trail system to connect to Montana de Oro State Park.

Montana de Oro has been long used by equestrians, with the park offering some 61 miles of horse trails and a permanent horse camp that draws visitors from all over the West. Shinn noted the visitors have a beneficial impact on the local economy. In the state park, riders share the use of trails with hikers and bike riders. The ecological preserve, founded in 1983, is overseen by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency’s website says equestrians are not allowed within the preserve. Indeed, in the past year, the agency posted a “Horses Prohibited‘‘ sign at one entrance to the trail system...

Read more or listen at: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article276766266.html#storylink=cpy

Decision to allow horses on parts of P.E.I.’s Confederation Trail in 2023 draws mixed reactions

Saltwire.com - Full Article

Province extends equestrian pilot project in some sections

Contributed , Taylor Stewart · Freelance journalist | Posted: May 10, 2023

Horses are being permitted on sections of P.E.I.’s Confederation Trail again in 2023. And, just like the first two years of the pilot project, there are mixed reactions to the news.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to take horses on the Confederation Trail,” said Sylvia Hall Andrews, chair of the Confederation Trail sub-committee for the P.E.I. Trail Riders.

“There’s plenty of data supporting the trail is ideal for horses. If you were to build a trail from scratch that was suitable for walkers, cyclists and horses, the Confederation Trail is what you would get...”

Read more here:

Indiana: Got a horse? Soon you’ll be able to ride trails in Allen County

Wane.com - Full Article

by: Jamie Duffy
Posted: May 5, 2023

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – Those who dream of riding the range will be able to saddle up in Allen County this fall for a little shorter ride, if all goes well.

The Allen County Commissioners approved a $298,854 contract with Krafft Water Solutions LLC in St. Joe to create a 5.5 mile trail at the Allen County Sheriff’s training facility at Paulding and Adams Center roads.

Costs are largely covered by a $250,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources. Allen County is responsible for a 25% matching grant, or about $62,000...

Read more here:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/got-a-horse-soon-youll-be-able-to-ride-trails-in-allen-county/

Oregon Equestrian trails chapter donates $500 to forest trust

DailyAstorian.com - Full Article

The Astorian
May 4, 2023

At the April 11 meeting of the North Coast chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails, chairwoman Mary Kemhus presented a check for $500 to Kelly Lau, the executive director of the State Forests Trust of Oregon. The funds will go towards replacing a failed bridge as part of trail maintenance at Northrup Creek Horse Camp near Birkenfeld.

The trust accepts donations on behalf of the Oregon Department of Forestry. The chapter assists the Oregon Department of Forestry with maintaining the horse camp and nine miles of riding trails with trail clearing work parties...

Read more or listen here:
https://www.dailyastorian.com/life/community/equestrian-trails-chapter-donates-500-to-forest-trust/article_55deabe4-e8b3-11ed-9c6e-073a6e9d9f6d.html

Panhandle Back Country Horsemen: Best-Kept Secret of North Idaho

IdahoSeniorIndependent.com - Full Story

By ARNIE WILKENS, Vice President PBCH
April 7, 2023

Panhandle Back Country Horsemen (PBCH), established as a chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho in 1984, is comprised of all volunteer horsemen and horsewomen and is dedicated to keeping open and maintaining National Forests, State Forests, and State Park trails for public use.

Certified by the USFS for the use of chainsaws with a focus on safe cutting and certified CPR and AED use, the volunteers provide a valuable service to the community. Presently membership totals about 50 people with about 20 certified cutters and 10 new members awaiting training and sawyer certification.

After tough winters in North Idaho, we all know about the tangled mess of downed trees blocking access to our favorite trails. Whether used for hiking, biking, mushroom or huckleberry picking, horse back riding or just plain meandering through our forests, trails blocked by fallen trees often ruin our best plans for an enjoyable outing...

Read more here:
https://www.idahoseniorindependent.com/pbch/

A New Rule Could Change the Way the BLM Manages Public Land in the West

Fieldandstream.com - Full Article

The rule change would put public land conservation projects on a level playing field with other uses like mining, grazing, and logging

By Charlie Booher | Published Apr 11, 2023

Earlier this month, the United States Department of the Interior proposed a new rule that could fundamentally change how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) makes decisions about land use, bringing conservation to the forefront. The rule would direct BLM decision makers to “protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data,” the proposal reads.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres, almost exclusively in the American West. The agency has been charged by Congress—through the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA)—to manage these lands for multiple uses. Historically those uses have included recreation, mining, grazing, timber, and oil and gas development. With its new rule proposal, the BLM is hoping to add conservation to that list...

Read the rest here:
https://www.fieldandstream.com/conservation/blm-public-lands-rule/