READ REPORT: 2022Annual-Report-PUG
Since the inception of the Sportsmen Show, BHCI chapters “Boise, Squaw Butte & Treasure Valley” have had an information booth next to the USFS booth where we provide information about the organization and the need for volunteers to assist with the stewardship of trails on public lands in Idaho. With BCHI increasing partnership with the Idaho Trails Association in the last decade they joined the booth in 2018. Covid impacted this show over the last couple of year, with 2023 being the first year that the show was back to full size with the attendance of the past.
Thank you to all the chapter and ITA members who took time to staff our booth and talk to the public that showed an interest in our organizations and our Mission!
Animated Ski Short Classic: It’s Time to Watch ‘Hors Piste’ If You Haven’t Already
The animated short ‘Hors Piste’ is like a Pixar short crossed with a harrowing search-and-rescue story. It’s funny, cringe-worthy, unexpected, and a hilarious take on a ski trip gone wrong.
Hello everyone,
This is Ryan Ghelfi. I am the new executive director for the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation. My wife and I along with our two children relocated to McCall Idaho from Ashland Oregon this past month.
Here is a short primer on my background. I have owned and operated a few different small businesses over the past seven years all in the outdoor recreation space. I’ve also spent a lot of time as a multi-day outdoor guide for mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and backpacking organizations in Oregon and California. In addition I have been on the board for Siskiyou Mountain Club, a non profit based in Southern Oregon.
Please feel free to share my contact information with stakeholders who you think should have it. I will continue to work with Sally Ferguson until March 31 2023 to assure a smooth transition. I look forward to working with you and to furthering the shared goal for the stewardship of these great Wilderness lands.
All the best,
Ryan Ghelfi (he/him/his)
Executive Director
Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
SW IDAHO OFFICE
PO Box 1886
Boise, ID 83701
(530) 949-4928
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision is welcome news for New Mexico anglers and public land users. The Supreme Court declined to hear the arguments brought by two landowners seeking to overturn rulings from the New Mexico Supreme Court that prevented landowners from restricting public access to waterways that run across private land. The petition to the U.S. Supreme Court was brought forward by Chama Troutstalkers LLC and Z&T Cattle Company LLC. The landowners filed suit against three conservation groups: The New Mexico chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Adobe Whitewater Club of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
“The highest court in the land has spoken, and like the New Mexico Supreme Court before it, has summarily dismissed the baseless arguments of a handful of private landowners in New Mexico who would ban anglers, boaters, and others from waters that have been public since time immemorial,” said Joel Gay, former policy coordinator for the New Mexico chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, in a press release. “The justices have sent a simple message to these privileged landowners: that they have to share.”
The Supreme Court’s dismissal follows years of controversy over stream access in New Mexico. In 1911, the state adopted a constitution that stated that every “natural stream, perennial or torrential, within the state of New Mexico” belonged to the public. But at some point, that public right fell to the wayside and private landowners began blocking access to public water on private land.
Then, in 2014, a law student raised the issue and the New Mexico Attorney General made an official statement in support of public access. Private interests responded by pushing a law through the state legislature that allowed landowners to prevent access to certain streams depending on “navigability” in 2015. In March of 2022, the New Mexico Supreme Court struck down the law as unconstitutional. In September 2022, the court doubled down on its opinion, confirming that the public had the right to walk and wade streams that crossed private land, though they are not allowed to walk across private land to reach the streams. This was what the decision that litigators challenged in a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, which was recently dismissed.
“This decision represents a huge, positive movement for public access broadly, and stream and water access specifically,” says Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Communications Director Katie McKalip. “It sends a message that public access matters—and that private interests can’t expect to be able to push aside long-established access laws to advance their own personal interests.”
Tucked in the mountains of Valley County in a small town just east of Yellow Pine is the Stibnite Mine District. The district was mined for more than 100 years, dating back to 1899 before closing. Now, a proposed project looks to reopen the mine.
Perpetua Resources, formerly Midas Gold, wants to open the mine again with the Stibnite Gold Project to primarily mine for gold and antimony but also some silver. Antimony is commonly used to make bullets and batteries.
According to Perpetua Resources, during World War II, Stibnite Mine District provided 90% of the antimony and 50% of the tungsten for the U.S. The site was mined up until 1996 but has since sat vacant.
After years of project refinement and 10,000 public comments following the Forest Service’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or SDEIS, Perpetua’s Modified Mine Plan was released to the public.
The Stibnite Gold Project is weighty, encompassing more than 1,700 miles. Perpetua wants to clean up the mining district that has tailings and waste from decades ago and again give the U.S. access to a critical mineral. But opponents say this project would further damage the environment. And Valley County officials are split on whether the mine would help or hurt the area.
Dear ITA supporters,
The day is here! We are excited this year to offer you a preview of 2023 projects one week before they open for signups. With over 80 projects planned ranging from one-day opportunities near towns like Sandpoint, McCall, Boise and Pocatello to our first-ever three-week-long Wilderness Immersion trip, there is something for everyone! We have projects open to all, projects for youth, veterans, and women, and projects focusing on the Idaho Centennial Trail. Volunteers can backpack, drive, fly, jet boat, or watch their gear loaded on mules as they set out on their public land stewardship adventure.
No matter the trip you choose, you are sure to meet other volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and share in the camaraderie of clearing Idaho’s diverse and beautiful trails, creating memories and building friendships. Volunteers do not need to have previous trail work experience to join. We’ll bring the tools and teach you everything you need! Read our FAQs to learn more about what volunteering on a trail crew is like.
On March 1, the project schedule will open for member signups at 11am PT/ 12pm MT. Learn more about becoming a member here. The schedule will open on March 15 for the public. If you are an ITA member, keep an eye out for an email on March 1 with your password for signing up.
Grab a beverage and your laptop, kick your feet up and enjoy a week of perusing the 2023 project schedule. Reach out to trails@idahotrailsassociation.org with questions. Make a list of your favorite projects and get ready to hit “Sign Me Up” in one week! Can’t wait to see you on the trail.
.We are very excited to announce that the Pulaski Users Group has been awarded funding from American Trail’s Legacy Trails Program. PUG has been awarded $48,000 from the Legacy Trails Program, administered by American Trails, for the re-establishment of the Johnson Creek area in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).
This funding will allow us to re-establish a number of USFS system trails starting from the Graham Trailhead on the northwestern side of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) up to Pat’s Lake. These trails provide alternative access to the remote and very wild western portion of the SNRA. The Johnson Creek Trail portion to Pat’s Lake has not received maintenance, Forest Service or other, since the 1990’s, and is in desperate need of attention. The lack of a clearly defined trail is promoting user created trails and river crossings which is negatively impacting the watershed. This project will benefit recreational users, future wildland firefighting efforts, and limit sedimentation and erosion. PUG crews will work closely with USFS staff over the course of the next two summers on this project.
MAP: 
Trail Descriptions: GrahamTH-JohnsonCreek-PatsLake
Interested in learning more or want to volunteering on this project? Shoot us a message! PRESS RELEASE
Rebuilding Trails after a Wildfire
Rebuilding Trails after a Wildfire
Unfortunately, it’s a story that repeats itself every year—wildfire racing across the landscape. As forests burn, post-wildfire recovery is becoming the norm for trail maintainers across the U.S. as these fires take a toll on popular recreation areas and natural resources. Rebuilding trails is imperative for continued use.
The devastation that comes when you learn of a wildfire burning in a beloved area that holds fond memories is traumatic. Fires can mean a tragic loss of lives or homes. And we’re left wondering what the area will look like once the flames are extinguished. Fire changes an environment; understory vegetation is destroyed, trees are torched, and trails become moonscapes of ash.
Wildfire is an essential part of a natural landscape. But it is undeniable that wildfires can negatively impact outdoor recreation resources. In these cases, post-fire restoration can be crucial to prevent further damage and spur recovery.
The already astronomical price tag of wildfire suppression is projected to increase over the next decade. It comes at a cost to other Forest Service programs. Most of the Forest Service’s budget is spent fighting fires, not restoring those acres that have burned. Volunteer efforts are needed to maintain fire-damaged trails.
In the past several years, fire recovery has been an increasing part of Back Country Horsemen’s work to keep trails open and accessible for equine use. BCH crews work closely with land managers to ensure that trail maintenance positively impacts landscapes after a wildfire.
The Work that is Done
If you’re unfamiliar with trail work and rebuilding trails, you might be wondering, “What sort of work is needed on trails after a wildfire, and why is that work so important?”
When a BCH volunteer team attacks a fire rehab project, the first order of business generally includes removing blow-downs from the trail corridor. Fire-scorched trees with compromised root systems tend to topple due to wind and weather, making it very challenging for those on horseback to get down the trail. Riding around sections of blow creates a maze of “social” trails, increasing erosion of the main throughway. By clearing blow down, we’re making the ride more manageable and more enjoyable, and keeping all users on the same path reduces the impact on the land.
Once the deadfall is removed, tread and erosion control measures are tackled. “Tread” is the trail – the hardened surface our ponies travel on. Tread, as all horsemen know, is frequently studded with roots. Many of those roots burn during a fire, leaving dangerous holes in the tread. Sweating BCH volunteers fill each of those holes to keep the trail safe for stock use.
Erosion control measures are undertaken once the deadfall is cleared and the holes filled. Post-fire trails without these structures can soon turn into vast trenches where the sides of the trail brush against your horse’s belly. These constructions are built with native stone, timber, and sweat.
How You Can Help
Once you understand the work that must be accomplished after wildfire rolls through, it’s essential to appreciate how it is executed. Many BCH volunteer work projects take place in designated Wilderness, where only non-motorized tools are permitted. Wilderness trail work takes you back to a time before mechanization. Fallen trees are removed with crosscut saws powered by muscle, trail tread is re-built with well-worn picks, and water bars are installed with shovels and grit.
The sweat-stained clothes of trail crew volunteers remind us that repairing trails after a wildfire is hard work. Still, the miles of new and improved trails are a valuable reward to every trail user. Please think of the efforts that volunteers put into keeping your trail system open. Consider helping keep your trails open by joining a trails advocacy organization, such as Back Country Horsemen. Even if you don’t have the horsepower to muscle a Pulaski, you can still assist in many ways. Trail work support can be helping coordinate resources and calendars to feeding the volunteers at a base camp.
Deworming used to be an ordeal that neither the horses nor I enjoyed. I would sneak up to the horse, grab the halter tight, and jam the dewormer tube in his mouth. It was a vain attempt to get the job done quickly before the inevitable fight. Not only did this make the horse defensive, but it also made the process downright dangerous. Deworming days were dreaded by all involved. It doesn’t have to be.
I now look at deworming as an ongoing process, not an event to be avoided. If you take the time to make administering oral medications a regular part of your routine, the process can become much more manageable and worry-free. My goal is for deworming to be a casual kind of event. No worries, no fuss, and most importantly, no drama. Here’s how I get my animals to relax and accept their meds.
1 – Accept the Tube
The first step is getting him used to having the tube around him. I rub an empty applicator all over him. If he fights it, I hold the tube on him until he stops resisting then I take it away. Approach and retreat are key here. As soon as the horse stops moving, I remove the tube. I’ve had horses where at first, I couldn’t even approach them with the tube. In those cases, I start by just standing near them and then slowly progress to touching them. Take your time and be relaxed.
2 – Add the Sweet Stuff
Once your horse can tolerate having an empty tube resting on his face without any fuss, it’s time to up the ante and ask him to take the tube in his mouth. It helps to have the tube filled with something good. I like using applesauce. Fill an empty dewormer, or a similar type of tube, with applesauce. Don’t bother wiping off any residue. Gently place the tube near the horse’s mouth so he can smell and taste the applesauce on the outside. Once the horse learns that the tube contains something yummy, you’ll be able to gently depress the plunger and squirt the contents into his mouth. Repeat this practice “deworming” with the good stuff until the process is smooth and easy. When my horses see a deworming tube now, they come running for their treat.
3 – Deworm
Once your animals are excited and happy when they see the deworming tube, it’s time to use something that reduces internal parasites better than applesauce. Now is the time to use a little deception and then a lot of apologies. Before heading out with a real dewormer, I smear the outside with applesauce and fill an empty tube with applesauce. The coating on the outside of the real dewormer will help disguise the foul smell and taste until it’s too late, and the applesauce-filled tube serves as an apology. Always end on a positive note. If you administer the nasty medication and finish the process there, your horse will remember it longer than you.
4 – Return to the Sweet Stuff
To reinforce the idea that 99.9% of the time a dewormer tube is a good thing, I follow up with applesauce shots for the next few days after applying a real dewormer. Until once again, the ponies come running when they see the tubes. Once a month, I break out the applesauce tubes to keep the good vibes going.
I rely on my horses and mules to get me into wild and fabulous places. Part of preparing them for that requires regular preventive medical care, including deworming or administering any oral medications. I want my animals to trust me. I work towards that goal by making what used to be an unpleasant experience something to be enjoyed.
For more practical information on trail riding and camping with horses, visit me at www.TrailMeister.com. From the TrailMeister website, you can not only surf the world’s most extensive guide to horse trails and camps, but you can also order my new book, The ABCs of Trail Riding and Camping with Horses. With 178 topics, oer 315 pages, covering Essential Knowledge for horse owners, from training tips to outdoor skills to increase your safety and fun on the trail and in camp. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3CuErid
The recommended route from Emmett to the park is to take Highway 16 down to the intersection with Idaho 20-26. Turn right and drive to Robinson Road. Take Robinson road south all the way to it’s intersection with CAN-ADA Road. Turn LEFT (South)
Continue down CAN-ADA to Victory Lane, you will see the “Second Sign” pointing to the park, Turn RIGHT and follow it to the trailer Parking area.
READ MORE: SCNF Partnerships Newsletter Feb 2023
READ MORE: SCNF Partnership and Volunteer Program Strategy FY 2023
I am writing to tell you that my wife Nancy passed yesterday afternoon. She had fond memories of all of you and the good times spent in your company.
Robbin Schindele
High Haven House
PO Box 342
Glide, OR 97443
208.365.1789 / robbinschindele@yahoo.com
READ NEWSLETTER: BCHAwinter2023
SEE MORE ABOUT THIS TRAINING: 508-NWTC Mailer 2023
Greetings SBFC members and friends,
It is my privilege to announce the hiring of Ryan Ghelfi as the next Executive Director of the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation. Ryan brings with him a lifelong passion for all things Wilderness. Ryan has a degree in Business Administration/Accounting from Southern Oregon University. In his resume, Ryan describes himself as “an outdoor professional with a wide breadth of experience in the mountains and in business with a lifelong passion for Wilderness, trails, and maintaining access to our vast public lands.” When you meet Ryan, you will see why we are so excited to have him leading our team.
Ryan and his family will be moving from Ashland Oregon to McCall, Idaho in February. Ryan and his wife have two children with a third due in April. In Ashland, Ryan owned two Wilderness related businesses and was the treasurer for the Siskiyou Mountain Club. Ryan was a professional long distance runner from 2014-2020. He held speed records for ascents of Half Dome and Mt. Shasta. Please join me in welcoming Ryan into the SBFC community.
Ryan will begin his new position on March 1 after spending time working with outgoing Executive Director, Sally Ferguson, to assure a smooth transition.
Sincerely,
Jim Heidelberger; SBFC Board Chair
NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia — Sometimes you just want McDonald’s ice cream and sometimes you’re a horse.
That was the case for one tiny horse in Australia.
The horse was spotted in the drive-thru at a McDonald’s in New South Wales.
Video taken by human drive-thru customer Donna Bevan showed the horse waiting patiently in the backseat of another car.
She posted the video to TikTok last week.
Bevan told Storyful she first thought the animal was a “huge white dog” until she looked again.
The driver of the other vehicle told Bevan the horse’s name is Rocco.
“He’s excited for his ice cream!” the driver shouted.
Bevan called seeing a horse waiting in a car for McDonald’s soft serve an “unbelievable sight.”
Registration and Information (PDF)
PAST CONVENTIONS 2022 2019 2018
2023 STATE CONVENTION – MARCH 17-18, 2023 Hosted by
Salmon River Back Country Horsemen
at the Elks Lodge, 901 Lombard Street, Salmon, ID 83467
45 Years of Tales from the Trails
$85 per person by 2/15/23 (non-refundable)
$100 per person after 2/15/23 deadline (non-refundable)
To help with planning, it would be appreciated if registrations are sent prior to the deadline.
The registration fee covers Friday and Saturday’s lunches and refreshments, Saturday’s presentations and entertainment, and Saturday’s prime rib dinner.
Make checks payable to SRBCH
Send registration form and check to:
Celeste Bingham, SRBCH Treasurer, PO Box 82, Carmen, ID 83462
Meals included: Lunch on Friday & Saturday. Prime rib dinner on Saturday night. No breakfast at the convention.
PHOTO CONTEST
• Register your photo Friday evening or Saturday morning by 9:00 am at the Registration Desk.
• The photo contest consists of the following categories:
•Animals in the Backcountry — wildlife, horses, mules, bugs, etc.
•Backcountry Horsemen Activities
• Backcountry Scenic Views – wildflowers, seasons, river, water, bridges
•Outhouses
• Photos are to be taken by BCH amateur photographers
• Pictures that have won a prize previously are not eligible
• Attach your name, address, club name, and category to the back of the photo. No frames, please.
TALES FROM THE TRAIL
Each chapter is asked to share a three (3) minute fun story from the trail.
LOCAL LODGING (mention Backcountry Horsemen for special pricing)
Stagecoach Inn 201 Riverfront Drive 208-744-3566 Super 8 104 Courthouse Drive 208-756-8880
AND LOTS OF OTHER STUFF!
Expo Offers Top Notch Clinicians, Shopping, and Entertainment
The 37th annual Idaho Horse Expo will be held April 7-9, 2023 at the Ford Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho. If you are a horse lover of any age, you can’t miss this event. The expo features international and local clinicians and trainers.
The featured clinicians are Ty Evans, of Utah and Evan Bonner, of Washington State. Ty Evans is also conducting a one-day clinic on mulemanship prior to the expo on April 6 in the Coverall Arena. The Idaho Horse Expo will also feature clinicians presenting in-hand training, ground training, ranch riding, jumping, classical dressage, and more.
Featured Events
On Friday we’ll have the Breed Showcase where 10 breeds of horses will exhibit a freestyle routine and a short explanation about their breed. Following the Breed Showcase will be a Friday Fiesta Night, highlighting our Spanish Breeds and the Escaramuza Drill Team. Miss Rodeo Idaho and the Royalty Fashion Show will be back by popular demand Saturday afternoon. Meet Miss Rodeo Idaho and many other queens from regional rodeo courts.
Saturday Night Horse Fever on Saturday evening celebrates Idaho horses and riders in musical routines and skits. You’ll see dancing horses and some of the finest horses in the state. Also on Saturday night there will be Dueling Disciplines with a dressage rider and a reiner. Each day in the Main Arena, the expo will feature collegiate teams of three who will demonstrate their skills in starting untrained colts. This is a judged challenge with the top team receiving special recognition.
With over 100 vendors, you can shop to your heart’s content! Stallion Alley will feature a variety of stallions standing in the area, and the Blue Ribbon Private Treaty Horse Sale is back as well. This sale is a great place to sell or buy a horse where the two parties do the bartering, and you can try the horse before you buy.
Kids’ activities are always a hit and there will be a Breyer Stable Mate Horse painting with a model horse show to follow each day. Also for children are stick horse activities, an Easter egg hunt, scavenger hunts, bouncy horses and much more. Remember, children 12 and under get in for free all three days!
An ETS (Equestrian Trail Sports) competition will be held on Saturday and a rodear competition held on Sunday. (A rodear is a timed and scored competition involving a cowboy, his horse, his dog and a cow or two to be driven through an obstacle course.)Sunday will be a special cowboy church service presented by Wade Black. We hope to see you there! For more information visit www.idahohorsecouncil.com. Contact Idaho Horse Council at 208-465-5477 or email idahohorsecouncil@yahoo.com.
Fueled still by an influx of people moving from other states, Idaho was the second-fastest growing state in the country in 2022, with a population that nearly reached 2 million people for the first time in July, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Compared to the previous estimate in July 2021, Idaho grew by 1.8% to an estimated population of 1,939,033 people in July 2022, census officials said.
As Idaho edged toward the 2 million population mark for the first time, only Florida grew at a faster rate nationally in terms of percentage growth. In 2022, Florida grew by an estimated 1.9% according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Although the latest population figures were released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the numbers are estimates and are different from the results of the official census. The official census takes place every 10 years, with the most recent census taking place in 2020. To obtain the latest population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau officials used data on births, deaths and migration to calculate population changes since the most recent 2020 census.
Results of the official census conducted every 10 years are important for a number of reasons. They determine the allocation of states’ seats in the United States House of Representatives, play a role in calculating the amount of federal funding sent to a state and shape how state legislative and congressional boundaries are drawn and divided during state redistricting procedures.
The annual population estimates, such as the new 2022 figure, give insight into how populations change and shift during the 10 years between the official census.
What caused Idaho’s population to increase?
According to news releases issued by the U.S. Census Bureau and Idaho Department of Labor on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, Idaho’s net in-migration accounted for the vast majority of Idaho’s growth. A positive net in-migration means that more people moved into the state than moved out over the time period.
In-migration accounted for 88% of Idaho’s growth, while natural changes from births outnumbering deaths accounted for about 11% of Idaho’s growth, census officials said.
Growth isn’t new for the Gem State. In fact, growth appears to be slowing. Census officials said Idaho’s growth between July 2021 and July 2022 dipped below the five-year-average of 2.3% and slowed to 2016 levels. For the first time in five years, Idaho was not the top spot for new residents, census officials said.
Nationally, the United States population grew by .4%, up to 333.2 million people. Regionally, the South and the West were the only two regions of the country to experience growth in 2022, census officials said. The Northeast and Midwest posted population declines from 2021 to 2022, with more people moving out than moving in.
“There was a sizeable uptick in population growth last year compared to the prior year’s historically low increase,” Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau, said in a written statement. “A rebound in net international migration, coupled with the largest year-over-year increase in total births since 2007, is behind this increase.”
Nationally, the top five states in terms of percentage growth were:
- Florida, 1.9%
- Idaho, 1.8%
- South Carolina, 1.7%
- Texas, 1.6%
- South Dakota, 1.5%
The five states with the highest percentages of population decline were:
- New York, -0.9%
- Illinois, -0.8%
- Louisiana, -0.8%
- West Virginia, -0.6%
- Hawaii, -0.5%
In the spring, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to release new population estimates for metro areas, counties and cities.
Rob Adams – My first horse was a pony named Little Spot who was all white with a brown head and a blue and brown eye in 1956. I rode him bareback most of the time as I was to lazy to bother with a saddle. Rex arrived in 1959 and always was saddled as he would test his rider and was know to bolt for almost any reason (he force me to be a better rider) and Kelly as a foal in 1963, the first horse I trained. We lived in SW Michigan in a area that was mostly fruit farms (both active and inactive) providing lots of places to ride. They are all subdivisions now!
Janine Townsend – That’s me and Topsy when I was about 6 years old. And an added bonus….me and the cat when i was about 4 yo! Janine grew up around the Silver City area of Idaho.
Lisa Griffith – This is my first pony, Sugar
I’m the tall one on the right!
Ellen Knapp – on her horse Amber in 1995
Phil Ryan – with his beloved mustang “Wild Bill”
Charles Chick – His Arab “Sara”
Heather Donesky – Me and my cousin on my older sisters horse, “Boots”
Also not my horse, but a horse I borrowed while we lived in Fiji for 8 months.
The school work horse, Monteruku . Circa 1975 Heather
Scott Morgan – with “Molly” and “Justice”
Linda Hughes – His name was Artful Dodger, we called him Art. 1985
Terry Macdonald – Horse was named Skeeter, and the year was around..1963
Helen Pline – This is Tucker. Arabian/Thoroughbred. He was 32 in this picture. Miss him.
Idaho – 2.9% increase of GDP & 16.3% increase in recreational employment in 2021
The goal of the program is to support projects that restore, protect, and maintain watersheds on our national forests and grasslands. American Trails is administering this grant program, funded by the U.S. Forest Service through Legacy Roads and Trails Act dollars.
What the program does:
Enables project partners to complete trails projects which improve watershed health, restore aquatic organism passages, preserve access, and decommission unauthorized and previously closed trails.
Target applicants:
Nonprofit organizations and non-Federal agencies.
Typical project size:
Small projects may apply for between $5-20K. Large projects may apply for up to $100K.
Minimum 50% match required:
Cash (preferred) or in-kind matches are allowable.
Funding cycle:
Opens October 6 to December 15, 2022 for the 2023 field season. Funding must be spent within two years.
Equitable awards:
Our evaluation and selection committee is composed of representatives of a broad spectrum of both motorized and nonmotorized trails user types, and we will be making every effort to distribute funding equitably by Forest Service region and by trail user type.
LINK TO WEBSITE
The first time I showed the app to someone who had never used it, I had to gently extract my phone from the person’s hand. This happened the second time, too, and was followed by an email requesting the name of “that mapping program.”
The app is called OnX. Its basic functionality is simple: OnX shows you where you are in real time, using a blue dot exactly the same as the one on Google Maps. The difference is that OnX is designed to show where you are in a forest, on a mountain or in a canyon. It has been around since 2009 and is popular with hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
It is also at the root of a potentially far-reaching case in federal court in which a Wyoming landowner accuses four hunters of trespassing — and causing millions of dollars in damage — even though they never stepped foot on his land.
OnX was born when Eric Siegfried, a mechanical engineer and part-time hunting guide in Montana, decided to make a Google Maps for the wilderness. He had solid navigation skills, he said, but was sick of getting lost.
To address the problem, he filled up a workspace in his wife’s scrapbooking room in Missoula with U.S. government maps, which he then loaded onto a microchip. OnX’s layers of data would eventually include everything from wind patterns to fire histories. The most important data by far, however, showed property lines.
This is because hunters, more than any other type of outdoor recreationist, need to be aware of whose property they are on, as Hal Herring, a journalist and public lands activist, explained to me.
READ MORE
The Wildest Place, SBFC’s Fall Newsletter, is here!
The newsletter highlights all of our summer wilderness stewardship accomplishments, welcomes new SBFC staff, and more!
Outdoor Conversations is SBFC’s presentation and lecture series focused on different aspects of wilderness and the outdoors.
Join SBFC in conversation with splitboard/river guide and filmmaker Sam Thackeray.
In the Spring of 2021, Brian Peters, Jess Asmussen, and Sam Thackeray set off to traverse the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Covering a large part of Central Idaho, the Frank Church totals 2.3 Million Acres. As the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, the Frank Church is the definition of remote, and it’s becoming more so. The trio’s plan is to snowboard and ski from East to West across the expanse of the wilderness and experience a place few have ever had the opportunity to see in this way. Over 16 days the crew covers 130 miles and 67,000 vert, finding some amazing descents, maddening travel conditions, and a lot of time to reflect.
Sam and Brian will introduce the short film they made about their experience, screen the film, and take time for questions and answers after the presentation.
Youth Trail Crew
This was ITA’s third season for our Youth Trail Crew program. Volunteers ages 14-18 came out for seven different projects and cleared 22 miles of trails! Seeing teens experience living and working together in a new, challenging environment, growing connections with each other and the land, has been beyond rewarding.
“It’s really given me unforgettable experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” Daunika, ITA Youth Trail Crew Volunteer
Video premiere! Check out our new video about our Youth Trail Crew program.
Boise Foothills hikers and cyclists can now check trail conditions before leaving the house.
Ridge to Rivers, the group that manages the Foothills trail system, created an interactive map with live updates on specific trail conditions. The map will tell users if a trail is dry, snowy, muddy, or frozen, when it thaws, and when to stay off. It also gives a trail description along with who or what is permitted, such as off-leash dogs, horses, or bikes.
Ridge to Rivers says that using trails when they are muddy is the leading cause of damage in the Boise Foothills because of the high clay content in the ground. Trail widening, rutting and erosion are common outcomes when using wet trails.
“Displaying up-to-date trail conditions on the interactive map will allow users to make informed decisions when planning a hike or ride during the muddy trail season,” said Ridge to Rivers Manager David Gordon. “With more than 200 miles of trails throughout the system, there are great alternatives and all-weather options for folks to utilize when temperatures drop, and wet weather moves in. This new interactive map feature will help guide those decisions.”
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a wild horse adoption walk-up event and Trainer Incentive Program pick-up at the Boise Off-Range Wild Horse Corrals from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. If you miss this event but are interested, contact the BLM, they always are looking for good homes for the many animals they have available.
There will be 50 wild horses available ranging in age from yearlings to ten years. These horses primarily come from Herd Management Areas in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Wild horses and burros available for adoption have been removed from overpopulated herds roaming western public rangelands. A BLM-approved application, which may be completed at the event, is required to adopt.
For more information about adopting a wild horse or burro, visit Wild Horse and Burro | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov) or contact the national information center at 866-468-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov.
The BLM works to place excess animals into private care through its Adoption and Sales Programs as well as successful partnerships with organizations across the nation. Many have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro. It is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. Read more >>
Learn more about:
- How to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro
- Adoption Incentive Program
- Off-range corral adoption and purchase locations
- Wild horse and burro adoption and sale events
- Visiting and adopting or purchasing from a public off-range pasture
- Sale Program
- Frequently asked questions
The BLM strives to provide valuable information to the public regarding the Wild Horse and Burro Program, including wild horse and burro adoption and purchase opportunities, information about upcoming gathers and more. We also encourage you to report any inhumane treatment of adopted wild horses and burros. We value your feedback.
Wild Horse and Burro Information Call Center
866-4MUSTANGS (866-468-7826)
wildhorse@blm.gov
Contact information for off-range corral facilities can be found on each facility webpage.
Contact your local BLM state, district or field office for specific questions regarding submitting an adoption application, obtaining title and more.