MTNPR.org - Full Article and Audio
By Eric Whitney • Jan 2, 2018
At an appearance in Missoula Tuesday, Senator Jon Tester said he’s recently changed his mind about a contentious political issue in Montana.
"There was a point in time where I didn’t think this was real, that there wasn’t a concerted effort to try to push the public lands to the state, which, anybody who knows anything about the state budget would mean that they’d have to end up selling them. But I think it is real," Tester says, "and if we take our eye off the ball things could happen that could make this state into New Jersey. Not that New Jersey is a bad place, but it ain’t Montana."
Tester was answering a question about the issue at a meeting of the Missoula Kiwanis club. Afterwards, I asked him what changed his mind.
"Because the conversation hasn’t gone away, it continues to resurface in different forms in Washington, DC, and you continue to be concerned that if these folks are able to either de-fund a lot of these agencies so they can’t do the work, to make sure it’s there, or make it so people don’t have access to it, and people get upset and say, ‘enough of this.’ What I’m saying to you is, I think you can see an agenda that’s starting to form back there, and the end results of that would be dissatisfaction with public lands, and so now the government’s going to get rid of them..."
Read the rest or listen here:
http://mtpr.org/post/sen-tester-now-believes-threat-privatize-public-lands-real
Friday, January 5, 2018
Back Country Horsemen of America Makes a Good Trail Ride a Great One
January 3 2018
by Sarah Wynne Jackson
Back Country Horsemen of America works hard to keep trails open for horse use across the nation. They also dedicate their time and effort to making sure equestrians have the amenities they need to fully enjoy their trail experience. Adequate parking at trailheads, safe corrals, and a clean supply of water can make a good riding day a great one.
Small but Effective
Despite being a relatively small group, the Shoshone Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming thrives because of the dedication of a core group of about a dozen people, many of whom come from the Big Horn Basin of northwestern Wyoming. In one year alone, they planned and built four new corrals on the Wood River, built a trailhead at Big Creek, cleared 173 miles of forest trails, and repaired six feed bunks at Jack Creek.
Because the mangers at Jack Creek had been in place for many years, they had numerous rotted and broken boards which allowed feed to become lost due to spillage. Not only is the Jack Creek Trailhead a popular destination for horsemen from across the country, it is heavily used by local riders as well.
The Shoshone Back Country Horsemen redesigned and rebuilt the feed bunks, which required $415 in materials for each one. A Back Country Horsemen Education Foundation grant supplied $1000. The chapter donated the rest of the funds for materials, and volunteered their labor and the equipment required to complete the project, which took about two-and-a-half days.
Formed in 1993, the Shoshone Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming put down its roots by developing trail facilities where they were badly needed. It began by working with the US Forest Service on the Shoshone National Forest, improving and developing trailheads west of Cody.
Shoshone BCH continues to partner with the USFS through a cost share agreement to maintain well over 100 miles of trail each year. This agreement allows the USFS to do more with their budget while focusing volunteer efforts where they are needed the most. The Bureau of Land Management in Cody has also partnered with the chapter on the development of multiple trailheads on BLM administered lands.
As with every Back Country Horsemen of America unit, all of the Shoshone Chapter’s income goes toward maintaining and developing trails and trailheads; training members in correct trail clearing, Leave No Trace skills, and back country first aid; and public education and efforts which support the mission of BCHA.
Whatever the Weather
The Wasatch Front Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Utah is located in the northern part of the state and they aren’t afraid to spend a day doing trail work when the snow flies. When Weber County donated corral panels for installation at North Fork County Park in Huntsville, the Wasatch Front Chapter volunteered to sort and assemble them on a cold, wintry day.
A few weeks later, a group of volunteer welders began the tedious task of securing what were once old, dilapidated panels into useful corrals. Other volunteers pitched in by putting a fresh coat of paint on the panels and clearing unwanted sagebrush. Wasatch Front Chapter’s future plans for the newly constructed equestrian area include tapping into the current water supply to bring water access closer to the corrals. Weber County will work on improving the trailer parking around them.
North Fork Park and Campground is one of many parks adopted by Wasatch Front Back Country Horsemen. The chapter teams up with other volunteer park users like Weber Pathways and Ogden Nordic to keep the bridges sturdy on the Ben Lomond and Mule Back trails. They also clear all trails of deadfall and treacherous low hanging limbs. Chapter volunteers donate the use of their pack animals to haul water and supplies to and from Boy Scout activities on the Ben Lomond trail and support the annual Skyline Mountain Marathon.
A few years ago, the chapter worked with the Weber County Parks Department to plan and complete a new trail, called Mule Back. The name acknowledges the Back Country Horsemen and fits with other trail names such as Mule Shoe and Mule Ear. Mule Back Trail provides a short cut connection from Cutler Flats to Mule Shoe. The connection makes it safer for users by keeping them away from the frequently driven dirt road.
The Wasatch Front Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Utah is one of the largest and most active chapters in the state, with thousands of volunteer man-hours dedicated annually to trail improvement and maintenance efforts in Weber, Davis, and Cache counties.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at-large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes regarding the use of horses and stock in wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.bcha.org; call 888-893-5161; or write 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
by Sarah Wynne Jackson
Back Country Horsemen of America works hard to keep trails open for horse use across the nation. They also dedicate their time and effort to making sure equestrians have the amenities they need to fully enjoy their trail experience. Adequate parking at trailheads, safe corrals, and a clean supply of water can make a good riding day a great one.
Small but Effective
Despite being a relatively small group, the Shoshone Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming thrives because of the dedication of a core group of about a dozen people, many of whom come from the Big Horn Basin of northwestern Wyoming. In one year alone, they planned and built four new corrals on the Wood River, built a trailhead at Big Creek, cleared 173 miles of forest trails, and repaired six feed bunks at Jack Creek.
Because the mangers at Jack Creek had been in place for many years, they had numerous rotted and broken boards which allowed feed to become lost due to spillage. Not only is the Jack Creek Trailhead a popular destination for horsemen from across the country, it is heavily used by local riders as well.
The Shoshone Back Country Horsemen redesigned and rebuilt the feed bunks, which required $415 in materials for each one. A Back Country Horsemen Education Foundation grant supplied $1000. The chapter donated the rest of the funds for materials, and volunteered their labor and the equipment required to complete the project, which took about two-and-a-half days.
Formed in 1993, the Shoshone Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming put down its roots by developing trail facilities where they were badly needed. It began by working with the US Forest Service on the Shoshone National Forest, improving and developing trailheads west of Cody.
Shoshone BCH continues to partner with the USFS through a cost share agreement to maintain well over 100 miles of trail each year. This agreement allows the USFS to do more with their budget while focusing volunteer efforts where they are needed the most. The Bureau of Land Management in Cody has also partnered with the chapter on the development of multiple trailheads on BLM administered lands.
As with every Back Country Horsemen of America unit, all of the Shoshone Chapter’s income goes toward maintaining and developing trails and trailheads; training members in correct trail clearing, Leave No Trace skills, and back country first aid; and public education and efforts which support the mission of BCHA.
Whatever the Weather
The Wasatch Front Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Utah is located in the northern part of the state and they aren’t afraid to spend a day doing trail work when the snow flies. When Weber County donated corral panels for installation at North Fork County Park in Huntsville, the Wasatch Front Chapter volunteered to sort and assemble them on a cold, wintry day.
A few weeks later, a group of volunteer welders began the tedious task of securing what were once old, dilapidated panels into useful corrals. Other volunteers pitched in by putting a fresh coat of paint on the panels and clearing unwanted sagebrush. Wasatch Front Chapter’s future plans for the newly constructed equestrian area include tapping into the current water supply to bring water access closer to the corrals. Weber County will work on improving the trailer parking around them.
North Fork Park and Campground is one of many parks adopted by Wasatch Front Back Country Horsemen. The chapter teams up with other volunteer park users like Weber Pathways and Ogden Nordic to keep the bridges sturdy on the Ben Lomond and Mule Back trails. They also clear all trails of deadfall and treacherous low hanging limbs. Chapter volunteers donate the use of their pack animals to haul water and supplies to and from Boy Scout activities on the Ben Lomond trail and support the annual Skyline Mountain Marathon.
A few years ago, the chapter worked with the Weber County Parks Department to plan and complete a new trail, called Mule Back. The name acknowledges the Back Country Horsemen and fits with other trail names such as Mule Shoe and Mule Ear. Mule Back Trail provides a short cut connection from Cutler Flats to Mule Shoe. The connection makes it safer for users by keeping them away from the frequently driven dirt road.
The Wasatch Front Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Utah is one of the largest and most active chapters in the state, with thousands of volunteer man-hours dedicated annually to trail improvement and maintenance efforts in Weber, Davis, and Cache counties.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at-large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes regarding the use of horses and stock in wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.bcha.org; call 888-893-5161; or write 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Montana: State leaders and outdoor groups launch new public land access program
KRTV.com - Full Article
Governor Steve Bullock hosted state leaders and outdoor groups in Helena on Monday to officially kick off a new program to expand access to public lands in Montana.
Posted: Dec 18, 2017 10:41 PM
Updated: Dec 18, 2017 9:46 PM PST
By: Jonathon Ambarian - MTN News
The Montana Public Land Access Network, or MT-PLAN, will collect private donations from individuals and groups.
That money will then be offered as grants to landowners who open access through their property to public lands that aren’t otherwise accessible or who improve existing public access.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will administer MT-PLAN and make recommendations on grant applications. The projects must then be approved by the state Land Board.
Bullock pointed to a study by the Center for Western Priorities, which found Montana has nearly two million acres of public lands that are currently inaccessible for recreation.
“This network will allow Montanans, each and every one of us, to help further chip away at those two million acres and unlock more areas of public lands for all of us to enjoy,” he said...
Read more here:
http://www.krtv.com/story/37096142/state-leaders-and-outdoor-groups-launch-new-public-land-access-program
Governor Steve Bullock hosted state leaders and outdoor groups in Helena on Monday to officially kick off a new program to expand access to public lands in Montana.
Posted: Dec 18, 2017 10:41 PM
Updated: Dec 18, 2017 9:46 PM PST
By: Jonathon Ambarian - MTN News
The Montana Public Land Access Network, or MT-PLAN, will collect private donations from individuals and groups.
That money will then be offered as grants to landowners who open access through their property to public lands that aren’t otherwise accessible or who improve existing public access.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will administer MT-PLAN and make recommendations on grant applications. The projects must then be approved by the state Land Board.
Bullock pointed to a study by the Center for Western Priorities, which found Montana has nearly two million acres of public lands that are currently inaccessible for recreation.
“This network will allow Montanans, each and every one of us, to help further chip away at those two million acres and unlock more areas of public lands for all of us to enjoy,” he said...
Read more here:
http://www.krtv.com/story/37096142/state-leaders-and-outdoor-groups-launch-new-public-land-access-program
Monday, December 18, 2017
Winter Riding: Anza Borrego, California
Trailmeister.com - Full Article
This place is big. Really big. Covering 916 square miles Anza Borrego State Park is the largest state park in California and the second largest state park in the entire US. The park includes 12 wilderness areas, 500 miles of gravel roads and over 100 miles of designated trails. And at only two hours from the cities of San Diego and Riverside it’s easy to get to.
The park is named for Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer from the late 1700’s and the Spanish word borrego, or bighorn sheep. Portions of the 1,210-mile-long Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail run through the park as it travels from Nogales, AZ to San Francisco, CA. Anza Borrego is also home to the largest number of endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep in California. About 280 of these magnificent animals remain and 200 of those call Anza Borrego home. Riders with sharp eyes may also catch a glimpse of speedy roadrunners and graceful golden eagles...
Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/trailmeisters-top-horse-trails-winter-riding-opportunities-in-california-north-carolina-and-washington/?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DEC+2017+mid+month+newsletter
This place is big. Really big. Covering 916 square miles Anza Borrego State Park is the largest state park in California and the second largest state park in the entire US. The park includes 12 wilderness areas, 500 miles of gravel roads and over 100 miles of designated trails. And at only two hours from the cities of San Diego and Riverside it’s easy to get to.
The park is named for Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer from the late 1700’s and the Spanish word borrego, or bighorn sheep. Portions of the 1,210-mile-long Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail run through the park as it travels from Nogales, AZ to San Francisco, CA. Anza Borrego is also home to the largest number of endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep in California. About 280 of these magnificent animals remain and 200 of those call Anza Borrego home. Riders with sharp eyes may also catch a glimpse of speedy roadrunners and graceful golden eagles...
Read more here:
https://www.trailmeister.com/trailmeisters-top-horse-trails-winter-riding-opportunities-in-california-north-carolina-and-washington/?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DEC+2017+mid+month+newsletter
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Podcast: Nat'l Forest Service Trails Bill Discussed on Equestrian Legacy Radio
BlogTalkRadio.com - Listen in
Listen to the podcast with BCHA Jim McGarvey, Jaime Schmidt & Deb Caffin with USFS. Jaime is the National Program Manager for Trails and the one AERC signed the MOU with. Deb Caffin is the Recreation Program Manager for Trails Region 8. They talk about implementation of the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act that was passed last year.
Listen to the podcast with BCHA Jim McGarvey, Jaime Schmidt & Deb Caffin with USFS. Jaime is the National Program Manager for Trails and the one AERC signed the MOU with. Deb Caffin is the Recreation Program Manager for Trails Region 8. They talk about implementation of the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act that was passed last year.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
The Fight for Public Land in Montana's Crazy Mountains
Outsideonline.com - Full ArticleChristopher Solomon
Dec 6, 2017
In the last 18 months, long-simmering disputes have boiled over amid claims of trespassing, political meddling, government bullying, and retaliation. Some worry that what’s happening there may harbinger what’s to come on public land across the nation. It’s enough to call the situation, well, you know.
In the fall of 2016, Rob Gregoire, a hunter and nearly life-long Montanan, won a state lottery for a permit to take a trophy elk in the Crazy Mountains, which rise from the plains about 60 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Landowners around the mountains were charging about $2,000 for private hunts on their ranches. “That’s just not what I do, on principle,” Gregoire says. So he found a public access corridor that would take him into prime Crazies elk country—the federal land covered by the permit, which in total cost about $40.
Such trails have led into the Crazies for generations. And disputes between landowners and those who would cross their properties on these trails reach back nearly that far, too. By 2016, the trailhead Gregoire found was “the last non-contested public access point on the 35-mile-long eastern flank of the Crazy Mountains,” he would write later to his U.S. senators.
Yet even on what Gregoire thought was a public throughway, the Hailstone Ranch had posted game cameras and signs claiming that the Forest Service didn’t have an easement to use the segment that crossed the private property. After consulting with the Forest Service, Gregoire was convinced he had the right to hike the route. Once on it, he used an app to stay on trail where it seemed faint, to make sure he kept to public land. Then one evening as he returned toward the trailhead after an unsuccessful hunt, Gregoire found a deputy sheriff from Sweet Grass County waiting for him. The deputy handed Gregoire a ticket for criminal trespass. After court costs, the ticket cost $585...
Read more here:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2263356/crazy-mountains
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Apply for a Grant from the National Trails Fund - Starting January 15, 2018
AmericanHiking.org
Does your organization want to complete a trail project but lack the funding to do so? American Hiking Society will be accepting applications for National Trails Fund grants for amounts between $500 and $3,000 thanks to the generosity of L.L.Bean. The application period will end on February 15.
The National Trails Fund benefits Alliance of Hiking Organizations, American Hiking Society's network of trail organizations that build and maintain America's foot trails.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund offers Micro-Grants to active organizations of our Alliance of Hiking Organizations. Once a year, Alliance Organization Members have the opportunity to apply for a Micro-Grant (value between $500 and $3,000) in order to improve hiking access or hiker safety on a particular trail. If your organization is interested in applying, but is not yet an Alliance Organization Member sign up here.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grants program dedicated solely to building and protecting hiking trails. Created in response to the growing backlog of trail maintenance projects, the National Trails Fund has helped hundreds of grassroots organizations acquire the resources needed to protect America’s cherished hiking trails. To date, American Hiking Society has funded 217 trail projects through 170 organizations by awarding over $698,000 in National Trails Fund grants.
For more information, see:
https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-fund/
Does your organization want to complete a trail project but lack the funding to do so? American Hiking Society will be accepting applications for National Trails Fund grants for amounts between $500 and $3,000 thanks to the generosity of L.L.Bean. The application period will end on February 15.
The National Trails Fund benefits Alliance of Hiking Organizations, American Hiking Society's network of trail organizations that build and maintain America's foot trails.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund offers Micro-Grants to active organizations of our Alliance of Hiking Organizations. Once a year, Alliance Organization Members have the opportunity to apply for a Micro-Grant (value between $500 and $3,000) in order to improve hiking access or hiker safety on a particular trail. If your organization is interested in applying, but is not yet an Alliance Organization Member sign up here.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grants program dedicated solely to building and protecting hiking trails. Created in response to the growing backlog of trail maintenance projects, the National Trails Fund has helped hundreds of grassroots organizations acquire the resources needed to protect America’s cherished hiking trails. To date, American Hiking Society has funded 217 trail projects through 170 organizations by awarding over $698,000 in National Trails Fund grants.
For more information, see:
https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-fund/
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