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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

STATE LEVEL OFF-ROAD COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION PROCESS

State Level Coordination, Cooperation and Collaboration for Off-Road Recreation
By Del Albright, 11/26/13

How do off-road and backcountry recreation groups coordinate their efforts better at the State level? In states like California where there are probably two dozen or more “friends” type groups, two multiple use organizations, a couple hundred local clubs, and national representation from at least four associations, it would seem a daunting task.  But there are solutions.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of STEPS:
  1.  Develop common communications.
  2. Meet face to face.
  3. Conduct leadership calls frequently.
  4. Use Executive or Oversight Committees.
  5. Publish results and actions.

In fact, it is being done at the national level, and that same model can be followed at the state level.  The North American Motorized Recreation Council (NAMRC) has laid the framework for uniting efforts across the country.  More can be done; but the model is solid.   NAMRC is supplemented with National Leadership Calls on a regular basis, albeit not directly affiliated with NAMRC at this time. 

It begins with STEP 1: a common communications network (email, forum, Skype, Go To Meeting, etc.).  The critical part is getting everyone rounded up so they know there is a place to share ideas.  Make sure every possible group is invited.

STEP 2:  is to meet once or twice a year, or as often as needed, to tackle issues and meet each other face to face.    It is about the same process as starting a “coalition” as I write about here: http://www.delalbright.com/articles/coalitions.htm.   The actual process for CA was set in 2003 with this Multiple-Use Summit: http://www.delalbright.com/access/summit.htm

Continuing with the CA example, the California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC) was established to work on Johnson Valley in an unified voice.  That can easily be expanded to all state level issues.  This was attempted in 1997 with the first state level multiple use group called the Resource Education Network (REN).  It was fueled by the Desert Protection Act and lasted several years before morphing into the Sierra Nevada Framework efforts.  More on REN here: http://www.delalbright.com/Access/ren.html

Bringing multiple-use groups together is part of the process needed for state-level unification.  One early example was set in 1997 with the Multiple-Use Shared Trail (MUST) Workshop that could be repeated, or blended into a Leadership Summit type meeting.

Then STEP 3:  is to supplement the face-to-face meetings with leadership calls much like a non-profit would have Board meetings by phone calls or Skype or Go To Meetings (examples).  Each call is facilitated and the agenda is announced beforehand.

For large states like CA, oversight or executive level committees can be established to make the working element a bit smaller and easier to work with, as long as they are working under the expectations of the entire group.

Finally, STEP 4: publish the results and actions so that every participant is informed and included, and the actions of the group are seen by others.

Some unwritten parts of the success of an effort like this include setting aside egos, minimizing club/turf boundaries, and finding ways to be positive and cooperative instead of self-protective.  It can be done.
Del


Del Albright

Interim Director of Operations, BlueRibbon Coalition www.sharetrails.org
Founding Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon www.rubiconfriends.com
Environmental Affairs, CA4WDC www.cal4wheel.com

Find Del on Facebook here
Find BRC on Facebook here.

Contact Del at brdel@sharetrails.org; or del@delalbright.com
Website: www.delalbright.com

Monday, November 25, 2013

TRAIL SNACKS, ENERGY BARS -- THE GOOD GUYS

HERE IS HOW THE SNACKS STACK UP -- PHASE I RESEARCH DONE!
Del Albright Blog, 11/26/13

Phase I of my online and family taste testing is done when it comes to off-road/backcountry snacks from companies that are on our team, or at least not lobbying against us and our access to public lands and waterways.

 Phase II is you reporting back on what you think of the flavors, options, and results.

I did NOT do energy drinks.  Just bars and jerky.  Here is my report on those companies that I will buy from, and suggest you buy from as well.  BIG TIP: if you find a good snack elsewhere, PLEASE ask the company position before you buy. Then let us know.

NOTE: my purpose here is not to go into all the flavors and act like some sort of food critic;  I'm just telling you   I researched these companies and tasted their treats -- they all came out with FLYING colors.  The ones I felt did not add up to our off-road world criteria, I did not report on.  They bombed.  You can buy from the folks below and be assured you are not jeopardizing our backcountry sports with your purchase.

JERKY:



 The Wicked Good Snacks folks are all fully supportive of our off-road sports, and in fact show up at events often, doing the activity themselves!  BIG thumbs up. Great flavors and selection.

Off Road Jerky is owned by two famous off-roaders Shaun ‘Surveyboy’ Bootsma and Deanne ‘Crash’ Angeloni-Bootsma.  They wheel; they do it; and they have an awesome line up of jerky.

Link to Wicked Good Snacks: 
http://thewickedgoodsnacks.com/

Link to Off Road Jerky:
http://www.offroadjerky.com/index.html

ENERGY and PROTEIN BARS

Honey Stinger products are amazing...and quite a large selection of goodies, from waffles, to organic honey, to bars of energy and protein, to organic energy gels.  I've not found any of their goodies I don't like!





The Dark Chocolate Mocha Cherry protein bar is a household favorite of ours.  Awesome!  And this company supports our backcountry lifestyle as well.  Company executives personally answered my emails and told me how they also sponsored dirt bike racers!
The Fig Bars from Nature's Bakery get BIG thumbs up as well.  Great company from Reno, NV, with "Made in America" all over them.  Delicious flavors and they have staff that gets dirty now and then (not in the shop, but on the trails).  Big thumbs up.

Link to Honey Stinger: http://www.honeystinger.com.

Link to Nature's Bakery Fig Bars: http://naturesbakery.com/

There you have it...off road snacks that are good for the tummy and good for our trails.
Del





Sunday, November 24, 2013

CA: CLEAR CREEK AND BRC FIGHTING BACK

CA: CLEAR CREEK, ASBESTOS AND PERSISTENCE BY BRC
Del Albright Blog, Nov. 24, 2013

I would like to showcase for CA riders, the work that has gone into getting Clear Creek back in our riding inventory since 2008.  BlueRibbon Coalition has devoted tons of staff hours (and some serious money) on fighting the absurdity of claimed asbestos issues.

Here is a link to BRC congressional testimony which laid the groundwork for the legislation which is a long process.

  
BRC continues to work with Congress to have them designate it as a National Recreation Area and open to OHV.

Here is link to BRC news release last year

The bill was reintroduced this year as H.R. 1776 and we are working to get a hearing on it.

And BRC has a bunch of links of the things they've done here:


And best of all, about 8 pages of blogs from landuse advocate and BRC Western Rep, Don Amador, right here about CCMA: http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results
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Del

FAVORITE NOVEMBER MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS FOR LANDUSE





GETTIN' THE MESSAGE ON! MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS OF NOTE FOR LANDUSE IN NOVEMBER.
Del Albright Blog, Nov. 25, 2013

These posters tell the tale and should motivate us all to do more; get more involved; and stop the trail closures and unnecessary land and water restrictions to our access.









Tuesday, November 12, 2013

ALBRIGHT TAKES HELM AT BRC

Albright To Lead BlueRibbon Coalition Operations

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November 12, 2013 10:50 PM

Del Albright

POCATELLO, ID (November 12, 2013) -- The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) Board of Directors formally announced today that Del Albright will serve as Interim Director of Operations, overseeing the daily affairs of BRC following the departure of former Executive Director Greg Mumm. Albright is well known to BRC supporters and the broader outdoor community, having worked with BRC for over a decade, most recently as the BRC Ambassador.
"It is with great anticipation that we promote Del to this position," said John Parrinello, President of the BRC Board. "He has the right mix of experience, vision, and credibility with our constituents to lead BRC at this important juncture," Parrinello explained.
"I am excited to tackle this new job and new challenge," said Albright. "We need to remind everyone what made BRC a leader in grassroots recreation advocacy. We will continue our time-tested strategies advancing recreation interests in the most efficient and effective way possible," Albright promised.
Del Albright has an extensive and diverse background, including service as the BRC Ambassador, as State Environmental Affairs Coordinator for the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, and as a member in United Four Wheel Drive Associations, Friends of the Rubicon, Tread Lightly!, and the North American Motorized Recreation Council. Albright holds a bachelor's degree in Forestry and a master's degree in Environmental Planning. Before Albright "retired" to his present role as an outdoor recreation advocate, he served 26 years in the California Department of Forestry and 14 years in military service, including as a U.S. Army Green Beret. More information about Albright is available atwww.delalbright.com.
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