Showing posts with label Public Lands. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

EARTH DAY - ACTION, AWARENESS, & APPRECIATION

EARTH DAY April 22nd - THE THREE A'S OF STEWARDSHIP IN MOTORIZED RECREATION

Action, Awareness, and Appreciation

By Del Albright

🌎 Earth Day: The 3 A’s of Stewardship – A Roadmap to Keeping Public Lands Open

Every year, Earth Day gives us a chance to celebrate the incredible beauty and value of the natural world. But for those of us who live and breathe outdoor adventure—whether it’s exploring backcountry trails, camping under the stars, or kicking up sand in the dunes—Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar.

It’s a reminder that access to these wild places isn’t guaranteed. It’s something we earn—through our actions, our awareness, and our appreciation. That’s why I live by what I call The 3 A’s of Stewardship—a simple but powerful approach to responsible recreation and trail advocacy.

🔧 ACTION – Get in the Game

Stewardship starts with doing, not just talking. That means stepping up:

Pack out more than you pack in.
Join clean-up runs and trail days.
Attend public meetings or comment on land use plans.
Support land managers and nonprofits working on the ground to keep access alive.

Our trails don’t maintain themselves, and our voice matters more than we sometimes realize. Whether you're wrenching on a rig or speaking up at a town hall, your action makes a difference.

👀 AWARENESS – Know Before You Go

Being a good steward also means being informed. Know where you are, what’s allowed, and how your activities impact the land, the wildlife, and the people around you.

Stay up to date on closures, restrictions, and evolving issues.
Respect seasonal access rules and cultural sites.
Be mindful of sound, speed, erosion, and trail conditions.

Awareness isn’t just about avoiding a ticket—it’s about ensuring that these places stay open and enjoyable for everyone, now and in the future.

❤️ APPRECIATION – Respect What We Love

At the heart of it all is appreciation. Not just for the land itself, but for:

Fellow recreationists—no matter their mode of travel.
The rich history behind our trails and landscapes.
Future generations who will follow in our tire tracks and boot steps.

When we appreciate the outdoors and the people who share it, we create a culture of respect that’s contagious—and powerful.

Every Day is Earth Day When You Live the 3 A’s

Stewardship isn’t just a once-a-year act—it’s a daily practice. And if we want to keep our trails open, our campgrounds accessible, and our freedom to roam alive, then we need to lead by example.

This Earth Day, let’s commit to more than just liking a post or planting a tree. Let’s commit to action, awareness, and appreciation—on every ride, every hike, and every outing.

Because access isn’t just something we fight for—it’s something we live for.

✊

Want to Learn More?

Volunteer and Land Use Tools:

Thursday, April 10, 2025

NEPA EXPLAINED FOR MOTORIZED RECREATIONISTS

NEPA Explained: What the National Environmental Policy Act Means for Motorized Recreation

If you've ever wondered why land use decisions on public trails seem to move at a snail’s pace—or why some routes get closed altogether—the answer often points to one law: NEPA.

Let’s break it down.

What is NEPA?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. It’s one of America’s foundational environmental laws, and it requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions before making decisions.

In plain terms, NEPA is about “look before you leap” when it comes to projects on public lands.

Key Highlights of NEPA

Environmental Reviews Are Required: Before a federal agency builds a road, approves a new trail system, or changes how land is used, NEPA requires them to evaluate how it might affect the environment.
Three Levels of Review:
- Categorical Exclusion (CE): For small projects with little impact.
- Environmental Assessment (EA): For moderate projects that might affect land, wildlife, or water.
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): For big, complex projects with likely significant impacts.
Public Involvement is Key: NEPA gives you and me a voice. Public comment periods allow local users, advocates, and stakeholders to weigh in before a decision is finalized.
Alternatives Must Be Considered: Agencies must consider a range of alternatives to their proposed action, including a “no action” option.

How Does NEPA Affect Motorized Recreation?

Now for the nitty-gritty: how does NEPA impact our ability to enjoy trails with Jeeps, SxSs, dirt bikes, or overland rigs?

1. Trail Designation and Closures

Every time a new motorized trail is proposed—or even an existing one needs to be maintained or reopened—a NEPA review is triggered. This can delay approvals and sometimes lead to closures, especially if environmental impacts (real or perceived) are flagged.

2. Maintenance and Access

Even simple things like grading a road, replacing a culvert, or brushing a trail can require NEPA review on federal land. If funding or staff is limited, this means delays or closures happen by default.

3. Recreation Planning and Travel Management

NEPA is at the heart of how the Forest Service and BLM create their Travel Management Plans—which define where motorized vehicles are allowed. These plans take years and are based heavily on NEPA documents, public input, and environmental data.

4. It’s a Tool—Use It!

NEPA isn’t just a roadblock—it’s also a tool for advocacy. Motorized recreationists can:

Submit comments during public review periods.
Work with agencies to propose sustainable trail solutions.
Partner with volunteer programs to help monitor and maintain access.

Why You Should Care

Whether you're a Jeep rock crawler, a dual-sport rider, or an overland explorer, NEPA shapes the landscape of your access. Understanding how it works—and how to engage with it—helps you protect the places you love to ride.

Motorized use often gets painted as harmful by those who don't understand or value our style of recreation. By participating in the NEPA process, we can defend responsible use, support trail stewardship, and ensure future generations can explore our public lands by motor.

In Summary:

NEPA is a federal law requiring agencies to evaluate environmental impacts before taking action.
It applies to roads, trails, and recreation management decisions on federal lands.
Motorized recreation is directly affected—both positively and negatively—by how NEPA is applied.
Public involvement is essential, and motorized users need to show up and speak up.

Want to keep your trails open? Know your NEPA.

Learn more about NEPA and how public lands are managed and what we can do about it here, in my book on Amazon.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

MODERN LAND USE TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Understanding Modern Land Conservation:

Wildlands, Rewilding, and Wilderness

Public lands and conservation efforts in America come in many forms — and they often overlap in goals but differ in methods and philosophy. Here's a quick breakdown of four key ideas and initiatives you may have heard about:

🌲 The Wildlands Project (Now "Wildlands Network")
Launched in the 1990s by conservation biologists, The Wildlands Project aimed to create a connected system of protected lands across North America. Think of it as a "wildlife highway" — linking core habitats with corridors to help species migrate, thrive, and adapt to changing environments. It emphasized large-scale rewilding and limiting human development in key areas.

🐺 Rewilding America
More of a philosophy and movement than a single organization, Rewilding America builds on the Wildlands vision. It promotes restoring natural processes and reintroducing keystone species like wolves and bison. The goal is to bring back a wilder, more self-regulating ecosystem — even if that means scaling back roads, dams, or certain types of land use.

🗺 America the Beautiful Initiative
Started in 2021, this is a federal conservation plan aiming to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 — often called "30x30." It's about collaboration: public lands, private working lands, and tribal stewardship all count. Unlike strict wilderness protection, this program supports recreation, ranching, and restoration — with a balance between use and preservation.

🏞 Wilderness Areas (National Wilderness Preservation System)
These are the gold standard of protected lands in the U.S. Created by the Wilderness Act of 1964, these areas are left "untrammeled by man" — no motorized vehicles, no roads, no development. They're permanently protected and require an act of Congress to be designated.

✅ Key Differences at a Glance:

Initiative/Term	Focus	Use Allowed	Type
Wildlands Project	Wildlife corridors	Limited human access	NGO-led vision
Rewilding America	Ecosystem restoration	Varies	Movement/ideology
America the Beautiful	30x30 conservation goal	Recreation, grazing OK	Federal initiative
Wilderness Areas	Permanent protection	No motors, no roads	Legal land designation

Why it matters to trail users and outdoor lovers:
Understanding these efforts helps us support smart conservation without losing access. Responsible recreation and stewardship can coexist — if we stay informed and involved. But do not let these terms sneak by you in your local area. Know what is being talked about and how it will affect your club and your access.

#PublicLands #Conservation #Rewilding #AccessMatters #OutdoorStewardship #Wilderness #AmericaTheBeautiful #landuse #access

Monday, April 7, 2025

5 KEY TIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE OVERLANDING RECREATION

SUSTAINABLE OVERLANDING RECREATION

5 Ways to Keep Trails Open and Wild

By Del Albright

Subtitle: Sustainable Overlanding Recreation: Protecting Our Trails While Exploring the Wild

Intro: Overlanding is more than a trend — it's the fastest-growing component of the four-wheeling lifestyle. With its rise in popularity comes a greater responsibility: to recreate sustainably. As stewards of public lands, we must promote smart, responsible exploration so that future generations can enjoy the same freedom we do today.

What is Sustainable Overlanding?
Sustainable overlanding means treading lightly, respecting land-use rules, packing out what we pack in, and using gear and routes that minimize our impact on the environment. It’s about balance — enjoying the thrill of backcountry travel while protecting the very landscapes that make it all worthwhile.

It means not stacking up on top of each other or crowding the easy access camping spots for larger overland-type vehicles. It means sharing the trails. It means being smart about what we do.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Overland travel is booming, and with that comes increased trail traffic.
Public land agencies are watching closely.
Misuse of roads and trails can lead to closures.
Our access depends on our actions.

5 Easy Ways to Promote Sustainable Overlanding:

Stay on Designated Routes
Don't cut switchbacks or blaze new paths. Maps and apps like OnX and Gaia can help.
Use Established Campsites
Camp in previously used areas to avoid damaging untouched land.
Minimize Campfire Impact
Use fire pans or stoves where appropriate, and always follow local fire restrictions.
Pack It In, Pack It Out — And Then Some
Clean up after others when possible. Leave it better than you found it.
Educate Your Trail Buddies
Lead by example. Share Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation tips on social media.

Let’s Be the Solution
Overlanding gives us freedom, solitude, and discovery. Let’s work together to keep it that way. Share your sustainable setups, talk about good trail habits, and tag your posts with #SustainableOverlanding and #KeepItWild to spread the word.

We cover everything you need to know about land use, saving trails, working with bureaucracy, and volunteerism in our book now available on Amazon here.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

EROSION; IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING!

Erosion! It's a Beautiful Thing

By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate

When I wrote this, I had just returned from a marvelous visit to southern Utah and several National Parks. I couldn't believe how beautiful erosion could be. Yes, erosion. This area of the United States has been eroded over time to some of the most spectacular scenery I've ever experienced. But think about how we perceive that word today: erosion.

###

It seems we've tweaked words in different directions these days from how they were originally meant. Today, erosion supposedly needs mitigation, yet some of our most treasured national parks were formed by erosion. Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion, Cedar Breaks, etc., were all caused by wind and water erosion.

Yet ask some of our self-proclaimed "environmentalist" friends, and you'll hear the bad things about erosion. Interesting. What about the beauty of nature's creations, which have been caused many times by pure erosion?

There is another tweaked word: environmentalist. You won't hear me call the radical protectionists environmentalists. No sir! The real environmentalists are folks like those of us in organized recreation groups who fight to preserve our resources for sustainable public use.

Radical protectionists or anti-access folks are names that better fit the folks who run around spouting book-learned ecology and advocating excluding us from our public lands. Stacie, my wife, calls them "exclusionary elitists." Unfortunately, the anti-access folks get the media attention they do, but that's life today. And that brings me to another word that's been misused: access.

Access means passage and freedom of entry. This does not mean that entry is only for those who recreate by non-motor means. It should mean access for all. It should mean sharing our public lands and sharing our trails -- for all users. In my opinion, it should not mean a mandatory ride on a shuttle bus to see our public lands, which we've already paid for and hired folks to manage.

As a side note, the reality is we will have to ride shuttles someday. It's too bad that some of our public land managers didn't plan far enough ahead to see this coming. Plans could have been made and public input included so that something besides a cattle car would be available. Perhaps a reservation system in combination with the inevitable shuttle ride? Nonetheless, you might as well think of shuttle rides as part of our right to access some busy areas and parks.

Now, please do not get me wrong about environmental issues or activists. We need both sides of any issue to make the best decisions. And the world is full of good people trying to do real good for our environment. They have my respect. I have a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies and Planning, so yes, I am concerned and care about what we do to our planet. However, radical, exclusionary attitudes do not fit in with public land management.

I am confident of one thing. When you stand on a wind-swept sandstone formation that breaks off below you hundreds of feet down, you can't help but behold the beauty of a word like erosion. But words like erosion, environmentalist, and access have all taken on multiple meanings these days.

My suggestion to you is to ensure the words you're speaking are the words your listener is hearing. One never knows. When making a speech to a group of county supervisors, giving testimony in front of elected officials (congress, legislators), arguing with a group of anti-access advocates, or just fighting for access to your trail, choose your words carefully. And trust me, I still get head shakes when I say, "Erosion is a beautiful thing."

In this book, I write extensively about organizing and teaching volunteers about erosion and public land management in general. You can get a copy here.

HELPFUL LINKS:

DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)

WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)

PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)

More land use and volunteerism help here:

MEETINGS:
RUN A BETTER MEETING
NEPA:
LEARN MORE ABOUT NEPA
LETTERS:
WRITE A LETTER
SPEECHES:
GIVE A SPEECH
FACILITATE:
LEARN TO FACILITATE MEETINGS
CLUBS:
WHY JOIN A CLUB
CONVOYS:
ORGANIZE A CONVOY
JOIN:
JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS
TRAINING:
GET VOLUNTEER TRAINING
LEAD:
LEAD VOLUNTEERS
JOBS:
CHOOSE THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU

Thursday, November 12, 2020

LET'S SCHOOL UP AND SWIM TOGETHER!

Whatever happens over the next Presidency, our trails and the motorized sports we love will need our attention more than ever. We are small fish in a big pond, so to make our selves "bigger," we have to school up and swim together (united we stand!).

Join that groups and associations that make sense to you.

Volunteer for work days on your trails and riding areas.

Write letters to your elected officials telling them to keep our trails open.

Set the example and do it right when in the backcountry.

Obey the law and follow the rules.

Be part of the solution.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

PICK UP YOUR ROCK AND JOIN

KEEP PUBLIC LANDS OUT OF JAIL.

By Del Albright

Read the whole story, learn more about picking up your rock, and join, to keep our lands out of jail.

Help keep our public lands from being locked up and put in JAIL. Follow these simple steps and you can make a difference.

More here in Modern Jeeper: http://modernjeeper.com/4-ways-to-keep-public-lands-out-of-jail/

More land use help here:

RUN A BETTER MEETING

LEARN MORE ABOUT NEPA

WRITE A LETTER

GIVE A SPEECH

LEARN TO FACILITATE MEETINGS

WHY JOIN A CLUB

ORGANIZE A CONVOY

JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS

GET VOLUNTEER TRAINING

LEAD VOLUNTEERS

CHOOSE THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU

GO BACK TO HOME MENU FOR THIS MOBILE PLATFORM

#modernjeeper #landuse Del

Thursday, December 7, 2017

PUBLIC LANDS EXPLAINED

SORTING OUT DEFINITIONS OF LAND DESIGNATIONS

The Various Names of our Public Lands

By Del Albright

Where can you camp? Hike? 4x4? All the above?

When recreating on public lands (BLM, USFS, Park, State, Trust, whatever) it is imperative to know the rules and some of the jargon. Understanding how agencies define or designate public lands is the first step. Check this out.

This is a great, sort explanation/definition of land designations like Wilderness, National Monuments and Parks, etc. Worth a read and bookmarking for reference.

https://www.doi.gov/blog/americas-public-lands-explained

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Del

RUN A BETTER MEETING

LEARN MORE ABOUT NEPA

WRITE A LETTER

GIVE A SPEECH

LEARN TO FACILITATE MEETINGS

WHY JOIN A CLUB

ORGANIZE A CONVOY

JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS

GET VOLUNTEER TRAINING

LEAD VOLUNTEERS

CHOOSE THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU

GO BACK TO HOME MENU FOR THIS MOBILE PLATFORM

Monday, November 15, 2010

Public Lands to be all National Parks?

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 action is here!

Note that the Treasured Landscape and AGOI described below are moving targets; not done deals. BRC and other groups are engaged to protect multiple use/sustained yield. The following pages/links will be updated when needed so you should stay tuned.

Here are my observations and summaries to help put this in perspective.

Dave Skinner called the beginning of this mess, the Babbitt/Clinton “Monument Orgy.” Because they couldn’t turn all of BLM into one big National Park, today we are facing initiatives and administrative things that just sound like closure.

Read the short story and get the right links here: http://www.delalbright.com/Access/nlcs.html

Del

Monday, January 18, 2010

Public Lands Advocacy Videos (Free) from NOHVCC

NOHVCC CREATES VIDEOS TO HELP RIDERS PROTECT TRAILS

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) has created a Public Land Advocacy Video Workshop series with help from Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. via their OHV Access Initiative, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the Specialty Vehicle Institute of American (SVIA), and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA). The workshops are designed to give riders the skills they’ll need to keep trails open in their areas; covering everything who the enthusiasts are, planning a trail system, writing effective comments, moving forward from route designation, and much more.

The series consists of 14 easy to watch sessions ranging from 15 to 30 minutes each. The content is based on NOHVCC’s successful onsite workshop sessions with NOHVCC topic experts. The sessions are designed to give the people who can’t participate in an on-site workshop or a webinar the tools they need to help keep their trails open.

Russ Ehnes, Executive Director of the NOHVCC said “These are tight economic times and we need to take advantage of technology to help riders get the information they need. This program is helping us reach thousands of OHV activists and riders who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to take part in a NOHVCC workshop. This may be one of the best tools that we have created so far for not only the enthusiast’s toolbox, but for program managers as well.”

The workshop modules were developed in cooperation with the American Motorcyclist Association, BlueRibbon Coalition, Motorcycle Industry Council, Off-Road Business Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and United Four Wheel Drive Associations

To order a DVD, e-mail us at trailhead@nohvcc.org or call us at 800-348-6487. The DVD will be shipped to you free of charge, courtesy of the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative.

Get more links about this from my website here: http://www.delalbright.com/Misc/nohvcc_videos.html

I've started watching them and see quite a bit of value for us.
Del

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.
MEDIA RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Hawthorne, Public Lands Policy Director BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102 DATE: February 24, 2009
TRAIL-BASED RECREATION GROUP RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT GAO SURVEY

The BlueRibbon Coalition, an off-highway vehicle (OHV) advocacy group, joined eight other off-highway groups in questioning the validity of a nationwide OHV survey of federal land managers. The groups made their concerns known in a February 5, 2009, letter to the Acting Comptroller General of the United States Government Accountability Office <http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Letter_To_GAO.pdf>

The GAO review of OHV use was originally requested by Arizona Congressman Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

The survey is supposedly designed to determine trends in the amount of OHV use, potential environmental and human health and safety impacts and how federal agencies are managing OHV use and enforcing OHV regulations. Managers from the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service received the survey and were asked to respond. Preservationist groups and OHV access opponents aggressively petitioned President Obama to appoint Representative Grijalva to the Secretary of Interior cabinet post, but Obama declined, opting instead for moderate Ken Salazar of Colorado.

Read more on the BlueRibbon website: http://www.sharetrails.org/

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