MOORE MOMENTUM 2024

ACCESS FOR ALL OR FOR THE CHOSEN FEW? A PUBLIC LANDS ADVOCACY GROUP SOUNDS THE ALARM.

BY Jake Weikert & Cindy Pope

As an adventurer, what was your motivation to go? Was it to get out and explore this country? To go see things that the normal crowds can’t? Do you like to disperse camp? Watch that sunrise over a faraway mountain as you have that first sip of coffee in the morning while that stream next to you babbles and steams in the dawn?

All across the west, public roads, trails and dispersed camping areas are being closed to vehicle traffic In California, your favorite areas to recreate are being fast-tracked to become solar farms Plans to close areas of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are just the beginning.

“Ensuring recreational access to public lands in the western United States is a critical endeavor that requires collective effort and support,” says the Blue Ribbon Coalition While it may be easy to ignore closures in western states, the fact is that these restrictions and closures are happening all over the country and we need to be vigilant and involved. When the Pipeline 4x4 Challenge Trail, a popular off-road trail in Wisconsin, was closed, a local ranger said that they did not hear a peep or detect any backlash after the closure He said, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and were surprised that the closure was met with silence Paying attention and getting a discourse going with local authorities is a good start to preserving access to our favorite pastimes. They need to hear the voices of all user groups Joining organizations like the BRC, Share Trails, and American Adventurist can help, too.

Blue Ribbon Coalition is one of the best organized and most funded groups currently pushing back against these fruitless lawsuits. They have won many court battles keeping your access to your lands open for you and others to enjoy! They are not an anti environmental group, but rather an organization focused on actual, proper land management that allows for the protections needed while letting people enjoy their lands.

It is true that this group does have an off-road focus, but are very aware and supportive of the fact that YOU, the dispersed camper, are actually the group that loses the most in these battles!

I encourage you to take a look and if you like having places to camp without being in an established campsite piled on top of each other, consider a membership in this great organization and spread the word! If we do not stand up to these anti-access extremist groups before long you will only be able to visit places landscaped and polished that the government tells you to go to…

Become an Individual Member of the BlueRibbon Coalition Today! One of the best ways to support us in our mission to fight for your outdoor recreation access is to become a member. Membership dues provide crucial resources to fight lawsuits, pay our staff, educate members, and grow the organization.