"Green" Wheeling
Four-Wheeling with Green in Mind
Admittedly, I have some other “green” concepts that make total
sense to me and what I leave behind for younger folks, such as 1) conserving
and using our resources wisely; 2) keeping our outdoors clean; 3) cutting back
on waste a bit; 4) using common sense to reduce air and water pollution; 5)
making America more energy self-sufficient; and 6) curtailing illegal and
outlaw behavior on public lands and waterways.
So regarding four-wheeling, here’s my suggestion for the
new Cal4wheel “GREEN.”
G = Get serious about land
use.
R = Read the riot act to
outlaws. (Or Read from the Good Book?)
E = Educate yourself and
others.
E = Eradicate trail trash.
N = Never be the drip.
Let’s look at each of these tips and see how they affect
our events, club runs, trail rides, and activities in general.
G = Getting
serious about land use means JOIN, DONATE and VOLUNTEER. Join
everything you can afford, including national, regional, state, and local
clubs/associations that make sense to what you believe in. Donate (beyond
membership) at tax return time or when you have extra cash. And volunteer your
time and energy at least a few times a year to those causes/groups doing what
you know makes a difference.
I would also add “buy only from businesses that support
landuse.” Buy from businesses that
donate to the Cal4 Sweepstakes vehicle, donate raffle prizes to our events, put
our event flyers on their website and customer counters, and do something to
help us keep trails open. Don’t buy cheap from someone that merely offers
cheap. Support businesses that support land use and trails.
R = Read
the riot act to outlaws means not letting someone tear up your
recreational opportunities and trails. Ask them to stop, show them the error of
their ways, or report them (with pictures) to the nearest law enforcement
authority. If there is a trail patrol or trail watch program, be a part of
that. STOP the outlaws and stop the ill-informed from ruining our future.
E = Educate
yourself and others on good trail behavior, such as the Code of
Ethics from your favorite organization and Tread Lightly principles. Carry
handouts and freely offer others ideas on how to keep our trails open by doing
it right.
E = Eradicate
trail trash is just that – carry a trash bag and pack
out more than you brought in. Set the example for others and stop and pick up
that beverage can alongside the trail when so many others may have driven by
it. Proudly display your trash bag and fill it up as often as possible! Clean
up messy left-behind campfire rings, even those you did not create.
N = Never
be the drip and set the example for having a rig that
does not leave a fluid trail or sit and drip in camp. Maintain and fix your 4x4,
so it doesn’t pollute the trail. Fix your muffler; tighten up hoses; replace
seals; and stop any fluid leaks on the trail.
If we all practice this idea of Green Wheeling, our
trails will be in better shape than ever, our image will improve immensely with
those who watch us (or even don’t like us), and our future will be brighter. After
all, we are the true environmentalists!
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LINKS:
LAND USE AND VOLUNTEERISM BOOK BY DEL
DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)
WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)
PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)
DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)
