I’m reminded of the Freeman Tilden quote about creating good land stewards… that if we want folks to protect their wild lands, then first those lands must be interpreted to be appreciated, appreciated before they can be understood and only after understanding will their protection be realized.

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It think it promotes by itself

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Just watched the live White House session with Lisa Jackson and would like to share session. Is this session available online somewhere?

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“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” Sir Winston Churchill knew the value of recreating on a horse or mule- a timeless and integral part of our past- and hopefully our future.

Because I ride and maintain trails on public lands, and because I also work with persons having a developmental or mental health disability I know without a doubt that there is an irreplaceable healing power in “riding therapy”. I mus express concern that this form of recreational opportunity for future generations is under threat as more and more public lands are inaccessible to the public, and specifically inaccessible to equestrians; for many reasons including lack of funding, inaccessible trailheads,trail destruction, motorized recreational impact and land sales to name a few.

Backcountry Horsemen of Washington State (and parent organization BCHAmerica)are committed to equestrian access on public lands as part of our historic and traditional heritage. BCHW members volunteer thousands of hours building bridges, clearing and maintaining trails, but it is increasingly difficult to find equestrians mentioned and included in recreational discussions, planning, funding, or mentioned as a viable form of recreation.

Additionally, There is a fair amount of inaccurate information about equines and weed spread and trail degredation- even when equestrians are included or mentioned along with hiking, and other forms of outdoor recreation.

Another insidious threat to all recreation user groups is the huge misperception about protection of public lands through creation of Wilderness areas. Once an area is designated as Wilderness, then viable recreation or land management is eliminated over time the land goes fallow without the necessary stewardship to keep a forest healthy or the trails cleared and safe for any use. Chainsaw use to clear trails is eliminated, then trails and bridges, puncheon and turnpike construction errodes and is gone, volunteers cannot access back country trials for repairs then users cannot safely recreate and the trail or area is lost to us forever once access is lost. Fire threat increases, weeds take over so that native forage is overrun and wildlife species ultimately fail to thrive. Wilderness is not the answer to preserving our heritage- good stewardship practice is the answer.

Let’s make sure that recreation for youth, and quality programs for the youth of America includes accurate information and education about stewardship, leave no trace, noxious weed management, and opportunities to ride a trail astride a horse as befits our national and traditional heritage. Thank you- Jeanne Paddock, grant chair BCHW

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A little more tinfoil for that hat Norm? Would you be bitching so much if this were run by a republican? I doubt it.

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I’m surprised that you would hold a conversation with youth during school hours so that many would not have access.

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I am so glad to see this administration putting a bit of effort into quality programs for the youth of america. Remember that days of summer camp?
We need to invest in the youth and they certainly need to get out of the house.

Kate

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Great chat! I really like the footage

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