Del Albright

No matter what holidays you observe, for me this is the season of hope.   Yea, I know; there’s too much hoopla with a lot of the commercialization of our holidays, but hey, that’s how our country works.    The end of the year holidays really represent the freedoms we have in this great country to observe those special times to celebrate.   How can one not appreciate that? I hope you will take time to reflect on how special our lives are in the good old USA.    Our freedoms have been hard fought battles in many aspects.   I even refer to our freedom to recreate outdoors.    Please do not take anything for granted, from your family, to your ability to observe your holidays, and to your freedom to responsibly recreate on our private and public lands. Take a holiday moment to refresh your memberships; join new organizations; and give a donation to your special charities and recreation groups like the BlueRibbon Coalition and your favorite sta...

The BLM is attempting to turn into a pseudo-park system according to some watchers of government. In fact, Dave Skinner, a Montana based writer, in RANGE magazine (Winter 2011 issue) said the current plan for BLM from the Obama Administration called, Our Vision, Our Values, “ lays out a long-term strategy of empire building on a colossal scale, including a complete transformation of the BLM away from its historic multiple use mission in to the world’s largest zoo.” BlueRibbon Coalition, Public Lands Department, headed by Brian Hawthorne, has reported and advised on the changes in public lands administration, as well as the dangers for motorized access, since the Babbitt/Clinton days.  Bottom line: BLM is headed towards a landscape where historic uses like mining and grazing will be a thing of the past, and motorized recreation certainly discouraged, if not forbidden in many places.    Time for tolerance of government stealing our heritage has run out. Time for act...

BlueRibbon Executive Director Launches New Program -- PEP Partnership Empowerment Program (PEP) Provides New Hopes for Access "Partnership Empowerment Program (PEP) is a refurbished as well as newer approach to getting better and more effective at everything we do," says Greg Mumm, Executive Director of BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and creator of the program. PEP will improve outreach and communications within the BRC and to all of its partners.   According to Greg, it means working closer than ever with all our member and partner groups, finding ways to drive the access battles in our favor, with a united and cooperative front. PEP also means things like co-op member drives with tangible incentives like the 4 Wheel Parts Gift Card program.   BlueRibbon is very passionate about helping the entire off-road community grow stronger together.   BRC plans to push, paddle, pull and help drive the “boat” in all ways. If you want a “PEP” talk, BlueRibbon Coalition is the p...

Half Price Training Offer on RLTC With it being Veterans Day, and the Holiday Season with Christmas right around the corner (turn off the music already), I would like to offer my online training course at half price until the end of the year. The Recreational Leadership Training Course (RLTC) will give you 10 ways to help your club; 3 or 4 new pointers for public speaking; lessons in leading volunteers you can't find ANYWHERE else; the inside scoop on saving your trails; and the SECRETS to avoiding burnout in landuse and your club, among dozens of other helpful tips for getting involved in the fight for access. RLTC is a 10 Module course with an Exam (via email) for each Module.  You work at your own pace.  It's all online. Normal course price is $150.  From now until the end of 2010, the full course is $75.00 (US).  Learn more here (or just drop me an email to start at del@delalbright.com and pay when you can or as you go): http://www.rltc.biz/ Del

I salute all veterans, past and present, on this special day, Veterans Day.  Were it not for our veterans and our military, we would have few, if any freedoms.   Freedom is what the USA is about...and I am honored to live in this country, salute the Red, White and Blue, and give my thanks to all military personnel and their families. I kept a few of my things from my past -- never forget... Del

USDA Forest Service waives fees on Veterans Day WASHINGTON, October 29, 2010 -- Upcoming Veterans Day, November 11, marks the fourth time this year that the U.S. Forest Service is offering national fee waivers on recreation sites. "The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "By waiving fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests and grasslands." ## PERSONAL NOTE from Del:  I'd like to think the feds were doing this to honor veterans and their families, but alas, NO, that is not the case.  I'm disappointed to say the least.  It's just a nice day to waive fees I guess.  They've done it before on various holidays.  There is no mention of our military personnel in their press r...

ATV & ORM Health Benefit Study Completed Post date: September 21, 2010 A study conducted by York University Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Unit, Faculty of Health, and supported by other OHV groups, shows the positive effects of OHV riding on our health. It helps our cause to have credible institutions like this doing studies on the positive side of our motorized recreational pursuits.  Check it out here on the NOHVCC website:   http://www.nohvcc.org/Resources/News/10-09-21/ATV_ORM_Health_Benefit_Study_Completed.aspx Del

SEMA show in Las Vegas starts today and it looks to be a good one.  Looking forward to seeing all the new after market products and linking up with tons of off-road businesses, BlueRibbon members and partners from all over the country.  Yesterday, the meeting of the North American Motorized Recreation Council (NAMRC) was a huge success.  About 30 folks filled the table representing most every off-road group in the country.  Issues talked about included the AGO Initiative, the Planning Rule, the elections (of course) and strategies for motivating folks to stay in the game of fighting for our trails and joining our established organizations that help keep our sports alive. SEMA folks are hugely supportive of helping landuse groups keep trails open.  They believe in supporting their SEMA member businesses by ensuring grassroots organizations can stay effective in fighting for trails and access.  It's a great partnership.  Del